Page 84 of Possessive Sinner
"We can go into another room," she offers. "If that makes you feel better." She tilts her head slightly, already adjusting the plan. "Or Massimo can take Gabe outside." She pauses as if thinking of something else, then adds decisively, "Actually, Massimo, take Gabe for a walk."
My stomach drops. I may not know much about their world, but I know enough to understand thattaking someone for a walkdoesn't usually end well.
"No—no," I rush out, pushing myself up a little too quickly. "Really. It's okay." My gaze flicks to Gabe for a second, who stoically refuses to meet my eyes, before I force it back to her. "He… he saved me," I add, feeling the familiar feeling of grief wash over me. "He's protecting me. From the men who…" My throat tightens. "…killed my husband."
Everything about Jenna changes. The fire is still there, but it shifts. Softens.
"Oh, honey…" she murmurs, closing the distance between us in an instant. Her arm comes around my shoulders, warm and steady, guiding me gently toward the couch.
"I'm so sorry." The warmth that emanates from her is genuine. "That's… God, that's terrible." She sits with me, not letting go. "Do you want to talk about it?"
A pointed cough cuts through the moment. "Do you still want me to take Gabe for a walk?" Massimo asks, completely serious.
Gabe makes a low, disgusted sound somewhere behind me. Massimo just laughs. I blink, caught between confusion and something dangerously close to hysteria. Gabe moves past us toward the bar like none of this concerns him in the slightest.
"Drinks?" he asks, already reaching for a bottle.
"I heard voices—" Mom pops her head out, then freezes mid-step. Her eyes dart from Massimo to Gabe, then to Jenna, clearly trying to piece together who's who. "Are we… are we being kidnapped again?"
Gabe snorts from the bar. Massimo arches a brow, unimpressed.
Jenna lets out a short laugh. "No, ma'am. Not today."
Mom steps fully into the room, still clutching her phone like it might save her life. "Okay, because last time nobody told me anything and I had to hide in the bathroom for twenty minutes."
"That was not necessary," Gabe mutters, pouring a drink.
"There were guns!" Stacy shoots back.
"There are always guns," Gabe replies dryly.
That doesnotseem to comfort her.
She looks at me instead. "Are you okay?"
I nod, a little dazed. "Yeah. I'm okay."
Mom's gaze flicks back to the others, still wary. "And… these are?"
Jenna smiles, all charm now, like she didn't just threaten violence two seconds ago. "Friends."
Massimo says nothing. Just watches. Gabe hands her a glass without asking. "Drink."
Mom shakes her head. "My drinking days are over. Unfortunately. It'll just make my liver flare up, upset my stomach, and don't get me started on my ulcers."
Something darts by me. Furry. Fast. Hissing.
"Mr. Fluffball!" Mom gasps. "Oh no!"
For someone who's always sick, she moves fast, lunging forward, scooping the cat up mid-escape. He twists in her arms, hissing like a tiny demon as she carries him back toward her room.
"Nice cat," Jenna remarks dryly.
I snort. "Oh, you don't know the half of it."
The door clicks shut behind her. Silence settles for a second, strange, but lighter now, and I realize I just snorted. I feel it before I understand it. Something is loosening inside me. Normal. Or… close enough.
I take the glass Gabe offers me. "Thank you."
