A part of me is tempted to run with my dad but we’d only end up in the same old situation. Not enough money. Fighting for our lives just in a different way. But being with Gabriel provides my father with food. It helps both me and my dad survive.
“I can’t,” I say, realizing how true this is. “I can’t, Dad, and we both know it. You have to go. I don’t want Gabriel to see you and assume anything. I am safe. Keep living for me and I’ll do the same for you.”
“I’ll try but it’s hard, Aurora. I’ll be honest. It’s hard.”
“I know. But try.”
We hug once more and then my father walks back to his car and it takes everything inside of me to not get into that car with him.
Once he leaves, I go back into the café and call Gabriel.
“Where the hell are you?” he growls. “Charles told me you left with Ginevra?”
“I’m in the city.” I rattle off the café’s address and then hang up. I don’t need to explain myself to Gabriel.
He arrives after thirty minutes, looking in a huff. “Get in the car.” His tone is cold and stoic. I do as he says without complaint.
“Why did you leave?” he asks on the drive home.
“Ginevra wanted to go out and I said yes.”
“With Ginevra? I didn’t even know you liked her.”
“I don’t.”
“So then why did you go with her?”
“For a chance to talk to my father again.” I’m not going to sugarcoat it.
His hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Aurora…”
“I know what you’re going to say,” I cut him off. “That I’m not allowed to see my father again. But here’s the thing: you can’t control me forever, Gabriel. I will not be controlled forever. I chose to call you. I chose to return to you. I didn’t leave with my dad when I had the chance. Yes, I don’t want you to hurt him. But I’m also happy that you’re providing food for him. I’m happy that I have a warm bed to sleep in at night. I might not be happy with everything but I have accepted my fate. I will stay with you. I am showing you that you can offer me more freedom and everything will be ok. You don’t need to hold onto me so tight.”
“You could have been hurt. I have enemies. They could have found you. You need to stay in the mansion.”
“What enemies? You don’t tell me anything.” I pause. “Is it Giovanni?”
He scoffs. “What do you know about Giovanni?”
“Nothing. Other than I get the sense that he means something to you. You tortured that man in your basement and asked about Giovanni then. You don’t tell me anything and yet you expect me to listen to you. I will not let you control my life anymore, Gabriel. I returned to you. That should be proof enough that I won’t run. So loosen the reigns a little. I think we’d all be happier for it.”
“Is this the revelation you came to?” He smirks. “It’s cute you think you have any say.”
I glare at him. “I do have a say. This is my life. You want me to be yours? Only if you stop controlling me. Let me in, Gabriel. Tell me about your family. Tell me who Giovanni is. Tell me who your enemies are that you’re worried could hurt me. Let me in.” I reach out my hand for his arm but he jerks away, causing him to turn the steering wheel and crash into a car next to us.
He slams on his breaks as the airbag deploys and hits me in the face. Pain radiates up my face.
Everything is quiet for a moment.
“Aurora?” Gabriel’s voice is soft and concerned. “Are you ok?” He takes my face between his hands and gazes down at me. His eyes are the most open they’ve ever been.
“I’m ok,” I say, breathless. Having Gabriel look at me like this is intense. It makes my stomach flutter. “I’m ok.” Without thinking, I cover his hands with mine. Gabriel sucks in a breath. “I’m ok.”
“I thought you got hurt.”
“I didn’t. Are… are you ok?”
The second I ask, his expression shuts down and he pulls away from me. “I’m fine. I didn’t get hurt. But you shouldn’t have touched me like that. I wouldn’t have swerved the car otherwise.”
