And I’m still owned by two families that are likely about to go to war.
But in this moment, I push that all away and pretend that Luca and I have the dream we once held.
A love too strong to break.
15
LUCA
Her breathing steadies as I hold her against me, our bodies still joined.
Her head rests on my chest, auburn hair spilling across my skin.
I stroke my fingers down her spine, marveling at how perfectly she still fits against me.
There’s all sorts of confessions I want to make, but I don’t want to spook her.
I don’t want her regretting this and running away from me again.
So I hold her in the quiet of the night, grateful that I saved Enzo and survived the night so I could be here like this with her.
She lifts her head, those blue eyes studying me. "You could have died tonight. Enzo could have?—"
I silence her with a gentle kiss. "But we didn't. We're here. Safe."
She shakes her head. "Enzo is confused. He saw things tonight no child should see."
Guilt rises that I’d failed in shielding him from the brutality of this world. I'd been too focused on keeping him alive to worry about what he was witnessing.
"I've always protected him," she continues. "I've kept him away from this life as much as possible. And tonight I couldn't protect him. I couldn't stop my own brother from using him as a pawn."
I cup her face, brushing away a tear with my thumb. "You're not alone in this anymore."
"That's what terrifies me," she admits. "I lost you once without warning. What happens when you leave again? What happens to him?"
The emotion in her voice cuts me. “You won’t find out.”
She searches my face as if she's looking for verification.
I hope she can see my sincerity.
I don’t know what will happen going forward, but I know I’ll protect her and Enzo with my life.
"I can't lose him the way I lost you."
I pull her closer, pressing my forehead to hers. "You won't. I swear on my life, Katerina."
Her fear guts me. I've been shot, stabbed, beaten to within an inch of my life, but no pain compares to watching Katerina doubt me.
"Look at me." I tilt her chin up. "I keep saying this, but you don’t seem to believe me. I never wanted to leave you. I was forced to go with barely anything but the clothes on my back and whatever cash I could grab. My father made it clear—disappear or die."
Her eyes glisten in the dim light, still searching mine for truth.
“I don’t know what they told you, but that’s what happened. Maybe I should have tried to take you with me. Maybe I should have called, but if they were willing to silence me, I couldn’t risk their deciding you should be silenced too.” I watch her, hoping to hell she finally understands what the situation had been seven years ago.
I can’t tell what she’s thinking. "I'm not that man anymore, one who let others dictate his fate. I make my own choices now."
Her lips part slightly, doubt still lingering behind her eyes.
