She is being too gracious. Too forgiving.
“But it is. I brought you into my world. One that we’ve been fighting to leave for years, and I knew that. I still pursued you. Refused to think of what could happen… I’m sorry I wasn’t there sooner.” I will never forgive myself for those lost minutes. For the time it took to act. For the seconds wasted debating whether she was late due to some benign reason. Those seconds could have cost her everything.
She swallows, and I can see the action pains her. “I’m not okay, Stephen, and I need time. I think this has to end until I'm ready. You need to walk away.”
I can’t walk away. I love her. The thought of not being with her rips open my body, and I clasp my chest, trying to soothe the ache. I’ve always said I couldn’t walk away. That once she was mine, nothing would come between us, not even her family. Every part of me wants to refuse. To say no. To promise vengeance on anyone who dares separate us. But that is the man my father raised. Not the man I want to be for her.
And yet, sitting here, seeing her broken, I can’t be the man I was. I can’t be another man who takes what’s not rightfully given. Freely given. “Okay.”
Her eyes widen, as if she expected another response. I don’t blame her. I wanted to give a different answer, but I’m not a bastard. A killer, yes. A son of a mafia king, absolutely. But when it comes to Dallen, I’d do whatever she says so that I may have a chance.
A second one that I desperately want.
She reaches for me and hugs me tight. I pull her against me, never wanting to let her go. I breathe in the sweet scent of her hair and kiss her neck, wishing everything could be different. “I’m so sorry I didn’t get there sooner, baby.” I swear to whatever God is listening, if she gives me another chance, no one will ever touch her again. I will burn the world down before I allow it.
“I’m sorry too.”
We hold each other for a long time before she pulls back, settling herself back in her chair. “You should go. I’m feeling tired, and I need to sleep.”
I nod and stand, starting for the door. I turn back and drink in the sight of her. Take a mental image of her and what I’ll never allow to happen to her again. “I love you, Dallen. I’m sorry.”
Tears well in her eyes, and she bites her bottom lip, but doesn’t answer.
And why would she? There are no words that can fix this wrong. Correct the past. Only time—and even then, it only ever dulls the ache.
I head downstairs and find Dallen’s father in his den. “Close the door,” he orders as I step into the room.
I do as he states and take a seat. Now, for my reckoning, which, oddly, will be less painful than saying goodbye to Dallen. “What happens now? I assume you have a warrant for my arrest.”
The Chief leans back in his chair and steeples his fingers. “I’m not arresting you. In fact, as far as anyone is concerned, I killed Romero saving my daughter.”
I lean forward, not liking that outcome at all. “But there will be footage of me going into the building, of being in the elevator. Of strangling the life from his worthless body.”
“There is no footage. Elio Romero had that shut off before he headed up to Dallen’s floor. Those bastards are nothing if not thorough.”
Anger sweeps through me, and I fight not to lose control of my thoughts. Even in death, they manipulate the board. But they miscalculated one thing—they thought fear and love would weaken us. They were wrong.
“And Dallen and me? What’s to happen there?” There was a time when I’d say to hell with her parents. I get what I want, and I want Dallen. She’s mine as much as I’m hers, and nothing will keep me from having her. But now? Now everything is changed. She’s changed, and I can’t disregard her family, her life, as easily as I may have once. I love her too much for that.
“It’s no secret I disagree with you seeing my daughter. You’re from a family that I’d prefer to take down than align myself with, but my daughter, for whatever crazy, unhinged reason, has fallen in love with you.”
The word love steals my breath. “She doesn’t love me, Chief. I haven’t won that honor.” Yet…
“You have,” he says, dismissing my denial. “You just haven’t heard it, but I’m sure she’ll tell you one day. But that you saved her, slayed the monster that will forever haunt her mind, I can’t hate you as much as I want. And so if she chooses to see you after she’s through this period of her life, then we won’t stand in your way. But know this,” the Chief states, leaning on the desk and meeting my eyes. “Should you ever hurt her, or anyone ever harms her again because of something you or your family does…I’ll hunt you down and shoot you like the dog all you mafia fucks are. I’ve lost one kid to crime. I won’t lose another. Do you understand?”
I fist my hands and release them. I can’t throw hands with Dallen’s father, no matter how much he’s just pissed me off. “I understand.”
“Good.” He leans back in his chair, his demeanor once again of indifference. “You need to give her time and space. She’llchoose when she’s ready to see you again, and if she doesn’t, you need to be okay with that.”
I nod, knowing that the next several weeks, months, years, even, may be the hardest of my life. I reach into my pocket, pull out a note, and slide it across the desk. “If I’m to give her time and not face it, give her my address if she chooses me. I’ll be there for the foreseeable future.”
The Chief glanced at the address. “Ireland?”
“I have a cottage there. I need some time away from this city. I hope Dallen joins me there. Ireland will help her heal. It’ll be good for her.” Away from bloodstained hallways. Away from names that carry violence. Somewhere the past can’t find us so easily.
“Thanks for keeping my name out of this mess. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen when I first met Dallen. I liked her.I love her. I want her in my life. Just thought you should know.”
The Chief doesn’t answer, merely stares at me before I leave. I walk out of Dallen’s home and out of her life.
