“So don’t go,” I say. “If you really think that, don’t go. I want every moment with you I can get,mia amata. If you’re right, and I’m wrong, and no amount of fighting fate can keep us together, don’t leave now.”Please.
Doubt crosses Lena’s face, chased by what looks like longing. My pulse races, then takes a sharp nosedive when she shakes her head. “I’m not changing my mind. Make the arrangements, Rem. One night. I’ll come back tomorrow, and we can finish this conversation.”
With anyone else I’d fight. I’d rage. I’d refuse to let them leave. But this is Lena. She won’t back down, won’t change her mind. If there’s any chance she’s going to come back—and shehasto come back—I’m going to have to let her go. Even if I feel like the most important part of me is about to walk out the door.
“One night.” I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this. “Go, pack. Arrangements will be sorted by the time you’re done.”
“Thank you. I…” Lena trails off. “Just, thanks.” With that, she turns and heads for our bedroom.
For several seconds I can only stare at the place she’d been standing, my brain not fully comprehending what’s just happened. Only hours ago, we were so fucking close to each other. Physically, emotionally. I’m the only one who’s said the L-word, but Lena’s right here with me. I know it. Deep in the fucking chaotic quagmire of epic, blindsiding, life-changing love. Yet it isn’t enough. Not to keep her here with me. Not after today’s revelations.
Figlio di puttana!No one who knows me would recognize the man I am right now, vibrating with too many emotions, forcing myself to stand firm, to not chase my wife down and bend her with my will until we both break.
The irony hits me, and I strangle a pathetic laugh. Becausegoddamn, I feel broken. With another curse, I shut my brain off and go into autopilot, pulling out my phone and sending a series of orders to Johnny.
As much as I hate to admit it, Lena’s right about my family being a threat. There’ve been too many coincidences lately, too many near-misses to not suspect that there’s a traitor in my inner circle, someone who is making it too easy to keep Lena in a killer’s sights.
Right now, the only people I trust completely are Johnny, Lorenzo, Bruce, and my brother, but given how pissed Ari was earlier, I don’t want him anywhere near this situation. Yesterday’s car bomb threw Bruce off schedule, so he still has a body to get rid of. That leaves Johnny and Lorenzo.
After a few minutes, I’ve made all the arrangements for Lena. I hate how anxious this entire plan makes me, but I have faith in my men. Lena will be safe tonight. She’ll have the space she needs. And I’ll be counting down the seconds until I pick her up tomorrow.
“I’m ready.”
I look up. Lena is dressed, her hair tamed, her composure in place. She’s carrying a small bag and I feel a wave of relief that it’s only big enough to hold clothes for one night. Not nearly enough to keep her supplied if she attempts to run away for good.
I’m erasing the distance between us, spurred on by that last thought. She drops her overnight bag when I haul her into a crushing hug. “I’m sorry,” I say into her hair. “I hate this. I love you.”
“I know.” Her breath warms my neck. Her hands are light on my back.
I squeeze tighter. “Johnny will take you to a hotel. A private suite where you’ll be safe. He’ll be on guard, along with Lorenzo. Anything you need, they’ll make sure you have it.”
I pull back enough to capture her face in my hands, to tipher up to meet my eyes. “I’m giving you tonight,piccola. But I’ll be collecting you at ten tomorrow morning, not one second later. Make sure you’re ready for me. Whatever thinking you need to do, whatever space you need to have, you only have until then. After that, Iwilldo everything necessary to keep you with me. To protect you, as a husband protects his wife. As I protect the woman I love.”
Lena looks up at me, too many thoughts whirling in her eyes for me to pinpoint any one clearly. Silence stretches, no acknowledgement of what I’ve said. But then she pushes up on her tiptoes and brushes her mouth across mine.
A whisper. A promise.
Holy fuck, it better not be a goodbye.
I’ve been holding onto my control by the skin of my teeth. One touch of Lena’s lips and it shatters. With a growl, I grab her hair and possess her mouth.
Lena whimpers. Her fingers scrabble against my shoulders before digging in, holding on. Her lips part under mine, and I’m so fucking lost.
We’re a frenzy of hands, moans, tongues. I’m more animal than man, pushing her against the nearest wall, my hand protecting her skull as I crush her against the unforgiving surface.
Lena gasps, angling her face for better access. I lick deep, our mouths fighting for dominance as she wraps one leg around my hip. The move brings the heat of her core flush to the rigid length of my cock. Need is a screaming, twisting thing in me.
I want to be inside her, on top of her, connected to her as deeply as I possibly can. But no matter how pliant and willing Lena’s body is against mine, how hard her nipples press against my chest or how urgently she pulls my head to hers, I can’t have her now. Not the way I want. Not completely.
The realization wrenches a miserable groan from beneath my ribs. I break our kiss, struggling to catch my breath.
“Boss.” Lorenzo stands a few feet away, pointedly looking at the ground. “We’re ready, boss.”
“Right.”Fuck.
Lena shrugs out of my arms, grabbing her bag and straightening her spine. Lips swollen, she stares at my shoulder as she says, “Goodbye.”
Heart in my throat, I manage a nod. “Ten tomorrow, little one. Not one second more.”
