My lungs ceased all movement. Air lodged itself in my throat, and my stomach roiled as if I’d been on an ocean liner in turbulent seas.

She knew.

Had she always known?

All those years we’d lost because I didn’t want her to know—didn’t want that darkness to touch her—had it all been for nothing?

Rage like the liquid magma within a volcano surged up from deep inside me, demanding to be freed. It wasn’t directed at her, but it was there, nonetheless. Fury at the hand fate had dealt us—at no one and everyone all at once. With steel-infused control, I forced my anger deep down inside to be let out at a later time when it wouldn’t fuck up all the progress I’d made with Sofia.

“Okay.” It was the only word I could force from my clenched jaw.

She peered up at me through her lashes, a hint of confusion crossing her face as she chewed on her bottom lip. “Thank you, Nico.”

Unable to resist her sweetness, I pressed my mouth to her forehead, inhaling her delicious scent, using it to help settle the caged beast inside me. “It’s time to get you home.” I helped her back into her seat, and I could feel the questions filling up the growing space between us. She had to wonder why I’d gone so distant—why I hadn’t asked more questions about her father—but she didn’t press for answers. Suddenly, the tables were turned, and I was glad for the quiet.

We made the drive back to Staten Island in total silence. I tried not to delve into the abyss of what-ifs—the infinite number of possible futures we could have had. All I could do was live in the here and now, but even that was a mystery. I was no closer to a solution when we pulled up at her parents’ house than I was when we left Jersey.

I walked Sofia to the front door. She didn’t have a key with her, so we knocked and were greeted by a stoic Enzo moments after.

“I wondered if you two were coming back tonight,” commented Enzo as we stepped inside.

“Sorry, Dad. We had a lot to talk about. I’m really tired now, so I think I’m going to head to bed.”

Enzo’s curious gaze collided with a brick wall when it landed on me. I had no idea what to tell the man, or not to tell him. Therefore, I schooled my features to an absolute vacuum of emotion. His eyes narrowed just a touch, and his chin lifted as he stepped aside to let me escort Sofia upstairs.

I’d been so caught up in debating how to handle Enzo that I hadn’t realized Sofia was taking in our entire exchange. When my eyes finally came to hers, dawning realization dilated her pupils and flared her nostrils. That was when it hit me just how practiced she was at keeping her cards held tightly to her chest. Anyone else who had just connected the dots between her father’s mafia affiliation and her ex-boyfriend wouldn’t have been able to contain their surprise.