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“I did,” I admit. “After a few years, I did give up. I told Dimitri about you one time and he put the effort in to find you. I didn’t even know he was doing it. He…” He rescued Ilaria as a gesture to me. To show that he listened, that he cared about me and would do anything within his power to make me happy.
How can the man who found Ilaria, who shines with fatherly love when he sees Katerina, who practically worships at my feet, be the same man who drugged and forced me to marry him? Who tattooed that I’m his property on my skin.
I consider everything I know about him now. How his mother died when he was so young, his father selling and abandoning him, his cousin’s betrayal followed by his uncle’s death.
Dimitri has abandonment issues written all over him. Is that why he’s held on to me so tightly, staked his claim? He’s terrified that I’ll leave him?
Walking away, letting me go, must have been so difficult. But he did it. I haven’t heard from him in over a week. He’s not trying to force me to be with him, or choose him, or anything.
And he apologized. I never thought I’d hear those two words from his mouth. I’m sorry.
All this time I thought it was arrogance and an overinflated ego that made him claim me like he did. But that’s not true. It was fear. Fear drove him to possess me in every way possible. Fear of loss.
A fear he faced and let go of the night he climbed out my window. I’d fully expected him to kidnap me from my own bedroom, to beg and plead, but he didn’t. For the first time, he stepped back and let me make my own choices. He didn’t like my choice but he respected it by leaving.
You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met. His voice rings clearly in my memory. Don’t let anyone take that away from you. Don’t take that away from yourself.
My heartbeat pounds in my ears, drowning out all other sounds. I need more time to think, to figure out what I really want my life to look like.
“Thank you,” I say to Ilaria. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
She smiles sweetly. “I’m glad to be back too.”
A knock sounds on my door. “Come in.”
My mother peeks her head in before fully stepping into the room. Shooting Ilaria a welcoming grin, she hovers over my bed.
“You know I love you and want what’s best for you.” Mama rubs my shoulder. “Don’t you, mio tesoro?”
I nod. “Yes, Mama.”
“Good. So that’s why you’re going to get up, shower, and come out with me tonight.”
I open my mouth to protest, but she keeps talking.
“Mrs. De Luca is having a small gathering at her house. It will be safe and intimate. I don’t want any argument from you, young lady, you will get dressed and come to dinner. You’ve been hulled up in this room for too long.”
I glance at Ilaria for support but she just says, “It’s time.”
I’m out numbered. With a groan, I haul myself out of bed.
The gathering at Mrs. De Luca’s house is relatively small, only about thirty or so people. As soon as we enter, though after the required niceties, Mrs. De Luca sweeps Mama away for herself. They became fast friends as soon as they met and have been inseparable ever since. I know Mrs. De Luca likes me fine, but we don’t have a friendship like her and Mama, more of a professional relationship.
The moment I’m left alone, Connor Bane appears at my side. I stifle a groan. I’m pretty sure we’ve already had whatever conversation he has in mind—on New Year’s Eve. Can’t he leave me alone?
I pick up a flute of champagne and drain it in two swallows—very unladylike. Connor takes my empty glass and hands me a full one.
I lift a brow, finally meeting his gaze. His striking blue eyes swim with concern, making me uncomfortable. How much does everyone know about what happened? God, I really don’t want to be the center of gossip. Not tonight, and not ever.
When I try to move past him, Connor places his hands on my shoulders and steps in front of me. His body language is clear. There’s no escaping him.
“I’m so sorry.” His voice is low, for my ears only. “I never meant to put you in harms way. I didn’t think—” he cuts himself off.
My narrowed gaze snaps up to his. “What are you apologizing for exactly?” My heart’s galloping so hard that I have to strain my ears to hear his reply.
“I didn’t think they’d hurt you. That man told me he would free you from Kozlov, that’s all he wanted. I know that’s what you wanted too, so I told them…”
“You told them what?” I’m pretty sure Connor’s grip is the only thing holding me up right now. “Who?”
