“Sophia.” I grab her wrists in mine and make her look at me. “You can’t help me escape.”
“Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do,” she snaps. “Let me help you, Luca.”
I go silent, searching her face, but she tugs me up and slowly, I manage to stand.
She tugs out my IV and I yelp.
“Don’t be a baby,” she mutters, and I can tell she’s focused. She hurriedly helps me get dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt.
“How did you even set this up?”
As I ask, Scott comes into the room, looking around like someone might be hiding in here.
“Hurry up before I change my mind,” he says firmly, and I make my way down the hospital corridor as quickly as I can.
It’s slow as molasses. I get into the wheelchair at the elevators already sweating and breathing hard, but I made it.
Sophia wheels me out to the car, getting me into the passenger seat before getting into the driver’s seat herself.
I cup her face as she enters and she lets out a small squeaking sound.
“Sophia. I love you,” I tell her earnestly, and she moans against my mouth when I kiss her, making my body heat up.
She sticks her tongue past my lips and it’s been so long that my groan is loud, probably echoing across the parking garage.
“Why are you doing this? You didn’t have to do this,” I tell her, my hands still cupping her face.
“Because I love you, Luca,” she says, her voice somehow strong and shaky at the same time. “Because I need you to be free.”
“I don’t want to be without you,” I say quickly. “Without Rosa.”
“As long as you’re free, as long as you’re okay,” she babbles but I cut her off with another searing kiss.
“I wish I was well enough to make love to you,” I tell her.
She grins. “It’s a good thing you’re not. Look.” She gestures to the back, and I glance and realize that Rosa is sleeping in her car seat, sucking her thumb.
I’m going to be free. And my two girls are seeing me off.
What more could I ask for?
My heart aches as I give her directions to the airfield.
I’m conflicted. I should be happy, but all I can think about is how much I’m going to miss them.
35
SOPHIA
Scott follows us in his car, and he arrives before me, leaning up against the side of his car.
I get out as Luca’s men gas up his jet, walking over to Scott.
“Thank you for all of this,” I say, and he glances at me.
“Don’t mention it. But you owe me. Forever.”
I break out in a grin and he does too, laughing.
