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I nodded before realizing he couldn't see me. "Yes, I'm safe. I'm staying with my friend Ashley." I glanced over at her, receiving an encouraging nod.
Leonardo let out a shaky breath. "Good, stay there. Tell me everything - your message said your family was attacked?" His voice was taut with barely controlled fear and urgency.
I took a deep, steadying breath, willing my racing heart to slow. Leonardo would know what to do. I just had to explain calmly.
"It was chaos," I began, memories of that night flooding back. "Enzo burst into my room suddenly saying we had to get out, that I was in danger. He wouldn't explain what was going on, just rushed me downstairs and drove us away."
I heard Leonardo curse vehemently under his breath. "Did he say anything else about who the threat was from? Or where the rest of your family is now?"
I shook my head helplessly before remembering again he couldn't see me. "Nothing. Enzo just said to stay hidden until he came for me. But I'm scared, Leonardo. What if..."
I couldn't bring myself to voice my worst fears out loud. But Leonardo seemed to understand.
"I know, my love. But you're safe for now, and that's what matters most," he soothed, the warmth in his voice easing my spiraling dread. "Is there someone else with you there?"
"My friend Ashley," I responded quickly, meeting her eyes again. She reached over and squeezed my hand supportively. "I can trust her, I promise."
"Let me talk to her for a moment," Leonardo said. I passed the phone over, heart in my throat, praying he would let me stay here with Ashley. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her shelter and safety.
I watched anxiously as Ashley politely introduced herself and assured Leonardo I was welcome to stay as long as needed. After a moment, she gave me a subtle thumbs up - he wasn't going to force me to relocate. I nearly sobbed in relief.
When Ashley handed the phone back, Leonardo's voice was gentler. "Your friend seems lovely. I'm glad you're not alone." His tone shifted, urgency returning. "Text me the address there. I'm coming to you tonight."
Hope and longing leapt within me. "Really? You'll come here?"
"Wild horses couldn't keep me away." The fervent promise in Leonardo's voice sent a shiver through me. We needed each other now more than ever.
Ashley scribbled the address on a piece of paper and passed it to me. I quickly sent it to Leonardo along with a whispered "Please hurry".
"I'm already on my way," Leonardo responded at once. "Nothing could stop me from getting to you, Natalia. I'll be there soon."
The phone line went dead, but I barely registered it over the roaring rush of anticipation in my ears. After so many agonizing days of silence and uncertainty, Leonardo was finally coming back to me tonight.
I let out a shuddery exhale, all the anxiety and fear I had been holding in finally escaping. Ashley wrapped me in a fierce hug.
"It's going to be okay now," she murmured comfortingly. "He'll be here soon and you guys can figure this whole mess out."
I clung to her, needing the reassurance of human contact to ground me after the emotional call. As we pulled apart, sudden realization hit me.
"You're really alright with Leonardo coming here?" I asked Ashley anxiously. "Even after everything I told you about his past, his family..."
Ashley waved off my concerns. "From how you described him, I could tell this guy really cares about you. That's all that matters to me." She squeezed my hands, smiling. "I trust your judgment, Nat."
Impulsively, I hugged her again, overcome with gratitude. Even now facing down unknown threats, I was endlessly thankful not to be facing any of it alone. I had the best friend in the world by my side.
Ashley indulged me in a movie and face masks to pass the remaining hours until Leonardo arrived. Though I could hardly follow the plot or relax, just having her nearby helped enormously.
Every sound at the door made my pulse skyrocket until finally, a firm knock came well after dark. I sprang up, heart nearly exploding with anticipation and dizzy relief. He was here. Leonardo had come back to me against all odds, just as promised.
Ashley gave me an encouraging smile as she went to let him in. I hovered in the hallway, wringing my hands anxiously until Leonardo's tall, solid frame filled the doorway.
For an endless moment, we just drank in the sight of one another. Then Leonardo's strong arms were around me, holding me against him in a bone-crushing embrace. I buried my face against his chest, breathing him in, unable to speak around the tight lump in my throat.
We clung wordlessly together for a long time, reaffirming this was real. Leonardo was truly here with me again.
Finally he drew back just enough to cradle my face in both hands, his piercing eyes roaming every feature as if to memorize me.
"I'm here now, Natalia," Leonardo rasped, voice choked with emotion. "Everything will be okay. I promise you."
