81. It will hurt him

ERICA

“Gabriel!” With a cry, I ran to him and flung myself in his arms. He staggered back but a moment later, his arms were around me, holding me tight in a familiar hug. Elation and nostalgia hitting me hard. I didn't realise how much I had missed him until this very second as loud sobs wrecked my body and tears came straight from my heart as homesickness gripped me in its chokehold.

“Hush, it’s going to be okay. We are going back home.”

His words made me pause and finally, I was able to pull myself back together as what he said registered in my mind. But before I could say anything, I heard Gianna’s scream. I turned around to see the men who were holding rifles in their hands, Gabe’s men, pushed Antonio’s guards and Gianna on their knees in a line.

I stepped away from Gabriel as I looked between them and him. I asked warily, “What’s happening, Gabe? What are you doing? And, how are you here?”

“What does it look like?” His words were chilling, not the way I had seen him conversing w