Her words hit me like a punch in the gut.
“You want me to leave?”
“Mhm. I want to be alone with Pippa.”
“Isla, please. Please don’t push me away.”
She took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I need this, Ciro. If you care even an ounce for me, you’ll give me this time to recover and process the last couple of weeks.”
“But I don’t want to leave you.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not asking you to leave. I’m telling you to give me time.”
“Okay. Okay. Whatever you need.”
I reluctantly left Isla alone with Alba and the baby. She wanted time and I would give her all the time she needed after everything she’d been through.
In any case, I needed to see my father and connect with my brothers.
Cara Clemente hadn’t been found, and I wouldn’t have a moment’s piece with her and her fucking brother on the loose.
Going downstairs, I followed the sound of Roman’s voice and Padre’s in the study. I entered and went straight to the bar cart to pour myself a drink.
“How’s Isla?” Roman asked.
“She’s okay, I guess.” I filled my glass with my favorite bourbon and took a long, slow drink. On the plane, I’drefrained from drinking alcohol, wanting to be clearheaded while caring for Pippa.
“You guess?” Roman asked.
“The bruises will go away. She might have a scar where the stitches are, but she’ll make a full recovery.” I swallowed thickly.
“I haven’t gone to see her yet,” Padre said. “It will break my heart to see her battered face. She was such a beautiful woman.”
“She’s still a beautiful woman. Her injuries will heal,” I snapped, louder than I meant to. “I apologize for snapping at you. But I feel like shit. I should’ve been there to protect her and the baby. If that asshole wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him for hurting my woman.”
Roman snorted. “Possessive much?”
“It’s not funny!” I whirled on him. “It could have been so much worse. Isla could be dead like her sister.”
“I’m sorry. I was just trying to lighten the mood.” He stood from the leather sofa. “I have some calls to make. I’m sure you’d like to spend some time with Padre.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I took another large drink. Isla telling me to leave her and the baby really fucked me up and I didn’t want to mention it to anyone.
“Give Isla my love. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Roman left the study.
I leaned against the bookshelf, trying to slow my breathing. I wanted nothing more than to erase all the things I’d done wrong and do everything right with Isla. I would give up my billions for a do-over.
At least both of my girls were under my roof and protection. A small win and I should be able to relax. But I didn’t think I would ever fully relax.
Above me on the second floor, the person I loved most in this world was recovering from her injuries after our sweet baby girl was abducted. If anything happened to either of them again, I’d go ballistic.
I shook my head, rubbing my hands against my face. The asshole who’d killed my mother came to mind. Cara Clemente’s brother.
“Stop it.” Padre pointed at me. “Get out of your head and put all this behind you. They are here with you. Now, you do everything to keep them safe.”
“You’re right.” I took another drink and joined him on the sofa.
“What did you want to discuss?”
