I clutch a hand over my mouth, biting back a sob. He’s so damn beautiful. So perfect in every way…except the one that matters.
He’s a monster.
And I can’t be part of what he has planned. The bloody rain he plans to pour down to save my sister and me from his cousin. I know it’s just a taste of what he’s capable of, and I can’t be that woman. The woman who stands by a man who commits unthinkable atrocities. If I leave and none of them knows where I am, then I can end this war without bloodshed.
But it’s ripping me apart.
“I’m so sorry, my love,” I whisper. Tears are already streaming. He shifts in his sleep, a dark curl falling over his brow, and my heart spasms. My hand twitches with the need to stroke it away. I’ve sat beside this bed for endless hours, watching him since he left the hospital. Endless hours of praying that he would wake up and come back to me. And now I’m the one leaving him.
I have to go. I have to go right now before I change my mind.
I dress quickly, then tiptoe to the door, reaching for my cellphone on the side table as I move silently out the room. I hesitate as I reach the threshold, half-convinced I’ve heard something behind me.
Is he awake?
I freeze, waiting to hear his voice. If he sees me leaving…I’d stay. There’s no way I could go if I was staring into those eyes. But as I linger, the silence remains unbroken. I shudder out a breath and keep walking. My imagination is going to make this hard for me.
I text Andy as I head down the hall, telling her that I need her to meet me. She responds with a simple yes, which is a relief because I’m shaking too hard to respond with a coherent answer.
Thankfully, it’s still early enough that I’m able to convince the security guard that I’m simply running an errand. He doesn’t press too much. Why should he? I’m Dario’s woman, and he’s given me the freedom to do as I please.
By the time Andy’s silver BMW glides up to the security gate, I’m standing there waiting with just the clothes I’d brought with me, and a heart filled with regret.
Chapter 7
Nikki Love
“You look like hell,” Andy says the minute she sets eyes on me. I want to respond with some witty quip, but I can’t. I sink into the passenger seat, slump forward with my hands over my face, and sob without shame.
Andy stays silent until I compose myself, maneuvering the vehicle smoothly onto the road and shooting an occasional glance at me.
“You’re gonna have to buckle up soon, or that damn seatbelt sensor is gonna ping until one of us goes completely mad,” she says calmly. I choke out a weepy laugh and fumble for the belt, securing it and then flopping back against the seat.
“You okay?” she asks. It’s a senseless question. Obviously, I’m not. I’m guessing she just wants to get me talking.
“No,” I whimper.
“Tell me everything.” she demanded, easing onto the highway. I shake my head, then heave a sigh. I’m going to have to unload at some point. But exactly how much can I tell her? I don’t want to drag her into this mess with me…and I’m hoping that now that I’ve left, the madness will blow over. If I’m no longer with Dario, Eduardo won’t have any reason to want me anymore. The whole thing is some sort of power struggle. I’m sure of it.
But my heart is still breaking.
“He….,” I say softly. She shoots a look at me, her eyes narrowed.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” she asks sharply.
“No!” I answer immediately. Not that…never that…unless I wanted him to, and I can’t even think about that now. But hurting others…? “He does bad things, Andy,I am just really confused right now. ” I add.
“Babe, you knew that going in,” Andy says.
“I know. I just never realized how terrible…”
I shake my head. I keep visualizing a bound man being beaten, his fingers being hacked off…and worse. I feel sick all over again.
“So, then you’re doing the right thing, babe,” Andy says, putting a hand over mine, where they’re clasped on my lap.
“Mmhmm,” I manage to get out before my shoulders heave. “Then why…why does it hurt so much, Andy?” I choke out.
“Oh, honey,” Andy’s voice is laden with concern. “I wish I had the answer for that…” She’s turned off the highway and is traveling into a suburb that is unfamiliar to me. Even in the darkness, I can see that roads are broad, sidewalks beautifully manicured. When Andy pulls up to a huge, ornate wrought-iron gate, I frown as a security guard steps forward, sees her behind the wheel, and the gates swing open. The house at the end of a winding driveway is almost as vast and sprawling as the one I just left. The one where Dario is still sleeping soundly. I squash the thought.
