Page 307 of Vicious Temptation

“You got the warning to Matteo in time,” I tell him. “My family was already getting out when we received the picture of you.”

He smiles. “Then you came for me.”

“Of course I came for you.”

“After what I did to you?”

“I was hurt and angry, Thiago. I still am.”

“That’s what I was counting on. You still being angry, still hating me.”

I frown. “What?”

“When Elena showed me the picture she sent you, I kept telling myself you wouldn’t come because you hated me enough to let me die there.” His fingers clamp more firmly around mine. “I wanted you to because I thought it would keep you away from that building.”

“You really thought I’d leave you there?”

“I hoped you would.”

“You should know me better than that by now.”

“I do.” His thumb moves across my hand. “That’s why I was fucking terrified you’d show up.

The thought of him sitting in that chair, hoping I hated him enough to stay away fucking hurts.

“Well, that didn’t work out so well for you.”

“No, it didn’t.” He swallows. “Remi, I’m so sorry for what I put you through. It kills me to know…”

I shake my head before he can finish. “I know.”

“No, chama. What I did to you was fucked up, and saving your family doesn’t erase that.”

“I know it doesn’t.”

“If you give me the chance, I meant what I said in that building. I’ll spend as long as it takes to earn back what I broke.”

“You already started.”

He goes still, watching me closely.

“I’m still trying to make peace with what you did, and I don’t know how long it will take, but I want to try. I want us to try.”

His eyes shine with unshed tears, full of love and regret.

“I won’t break your trust again.”

“You better not, because next time, I won't miss,” I say with a wink.

Thiago chuckles as he presses a hand to his abdomen. “I love you, Remi.”

The door swings open, and Zara races into the room, with Matteo close behind.

“Zara!” he calls out after her. “You’re not supposed to be in here.”

“Uncle Thiago!” she squeals, ignoring him completely. “I came to see you.”

She stops so abruptly that her sneakers squeak on the floor as her wide brown eyes take in the bandages, bruises, and the sling supporting his arm, and her smile slowly slips.