Sophia’s voice fills the space. “Ravenna and Arianna are on their way to the hospital?—”
“Is everything all right?” Elena leans forward, closer to the phone. Her sweet scent goes straight to my head. She smells of warmth and comfort and everything I desire most. Can I really give that up?
“Yes, they’re both fine. Their water broke right after you ran out. They’re having those babies now. Get yourselves to the hospital. See you there!”
The call ends as Elena and I stare at each other, digesting the news. Electricity hums between us. It crackles and sparks. Elena’s lips part and I know she can feel it too. She’s simply too damn stubborn to ever admit it to herself.
Conflict tears apart my chest. I’ve just told her I’ll let her go, but… I may have lied to both of us.
I pull back, breaking the growing tension between us. She softly gasps, as if startled to be caught up in the moment as much as I was.
Using the intercom system, I tell Vincent where to go, and the limo rolls forward.
“I can’t believe this is happening right now,” Elena says, buckling herself in. “They’re a week early. I hope that’s okay. Gah, I feel so guilty for making them go into labor early.”
“I doubt it’s your fault. These things happen.” I close my fingers into fists to resist the urge to reach for her, to physically sooth her. She doesn’t want that—not from me.
“I know. But what if the shock or stress induced their labor? I’d never forgive myself.” Elena shifts in her seat. “Oh my god, I’m about to become an aunt. Tell Vincent to hurry, I don’t want to miss a second of this. I should be with my sister and Arianna.”
“Yes, you should,” I murmur. As Vincent steps on it, I’m a million miles away, thinking of the future. Playing it out in my head.
If you love her, let her go.
I just promised her I would. She’ll fly to who knows where, and I’ll follow as soon as I step down as don. Then I’ll live in Elena’s shadow as she dates other men, lets them touch her, kiss her. Like that man at the bar in LA wanted to do—before I took care of him out back. He looked at her, spoke to her, and when she took that call, he was stupid enough to drug her drink. The world’s better off without him in it.
My stomach twists with a mixture of jealousy, anger, and fear. Possessiveness curls around my chest and tightens like a vice. I draw in a long, slow breath to anchor myself amid the storm.
She’ll eventually settle down with one of those men. The very thought has me green with envy. He’ll be living the life with her thatIam supposed to have. It’s supposed to be me and her. Not her and… someotherguy.
She’ll gaze at him with adoration in her soft grey eyes. She’ll welcome his kisses and desire his touch. She’ll give him everything that she refuses to give to me.
But that future will never happen for her, because I’ll kill every man who dares to look at what’s mine. And Elenaismine. Nothing can ever change that.
If you love her, keep her close.
She fears the dangers that lurk in our world, but I will protect her with my life. I’ll spend every single day making sure she’s safe. I promise she’ll be safe with me. No one will touch us, not if I keep her close.
Will she hate me for it? Probably.
But for her own good. She needs to face her fears and stop running from them, stop letting them control her life. If I lether go, she’ll never rise to her full, beautiful potential. Elena’s not meant for the world of normal, everyday people. She’s a princess, a queen.
Myqueen. And it’s time I claimed her.
Guilt writhes like a pit of snakes in my gut as I gaze across at her. In this moment I must face my own darkness and admit that I’m selfish. Extremely selfish.
There’s no reality in which Elena and I live separate lives. We may not have taken our vows yet, but I’ve already promised us one thing: Till death do us part.
Love me or hate me, I don’t care as long as you’re mine.
Mind made up, I casually reach into my jacket pocket and palm the small syringe. I never should have promised her freedom. A promise, when I’m honest with myself, I’m unable to keep. For this, I’m sure she will hate me forever.
Sliding into the seat beside her, I cup her jaw. Those blue-grey eyes reflect her surprise at my sudden movement, at our close proximity. Her lips part. Cheeks flush.
I hold her gaze with mine, infusing every cell with sincerity as I say, “I’m so sorry that I have to do this,cara mia. You were right about me after all. I am predictable.”
Her eyes widen in horror just as I firm my hold on her and empty the syringe’s content into her bloodstream.
“No! You promised…” A sob escapes her, breaking my heart into a billion jagged pieces. Her body softens, going limp against mine as I hold her in my arms.
