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"I can't change my past, but I can choose my present and future," he said, reaching out to gently to cup her face. "I choose to protect you and Lia."
The memory of the events at his house flickered in her mind–the intruders, the gunshots, and Anthony standing like a guardian angel shielding them from harm. He’d killed Rocco to protect them, and she would never hold it against him. But the revelation of his past cast a long, unsettling shadow over their present.
As much as she appreciated Anthony’s protection, she hated that it was necessary. She couldn’t deny the way he made her feel more cherished and cared for than she ever dreamed, but she also knew that they’d never truly escape the threat of Lia’s father.
If she stayed, Anthony would be faced with constant reminders of his dark past.
As Anthony's fingers traced her cheek, Kaylie couldn't shake the feeling that her choices were weaving them into a narrative neither of them could escape. She had willingly embraced the mafia life, believing it was her path to survival and a scrap of happiness. Anthony, on the other hand, had been forced into a world of darkness as a child, then found his way out. He was so much stronger than her.
“I wish I were as strong as you,” she admitted.
Anthony searched her eyes, was as if he were looking for the answer to a thousand questions in their depths. “Don’t mistake hardness for strength. It’s not the same thing. And you have strength in spades.”
The weight of their shared burdens pressed down on Kaylie's shoulders, and a newfound determination seized her. She couldn't allow Anthony to be dragged back into the dangerous world he had desperately tried to escape. If leaving him was the only way to protect him, she would do it, no matter how much it tore at her heart.
Kaylie met his gaze, a conflict raging within her. The connection they shared was undeniable, a magnetic force that had drawn them together against all odds. Yet the shadows of their pasts threatened to pull them apart.
"I can't let you get dragged back into that world," she admitted, her eyes searching his for understanding. "I chose the mafia once, but I won't let it consume both of us. I need to keep Lia safe."
Anthony's eyes softened, a profound sadness lingering in their depths. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect you both, Kaylie. You don't have to face this alone."
A bittersweet smile played on her lips as she pressed up, capturing his mouth in a tender kiss when he lowered his head enough to meet her. His lips were full and soft, his arms warm around her. For a fleeting moment, the world outside Black Tower ceased to exist, and it was just the two of them against the chaos swirling around them. As if they stood in the eye of the hurricane, knowing the storm would threaten to sweep them apart again soon.
His hands trailed up her face, brushing back her hair and leaving a trail of goose bumps in their path. This man would completely undo her. And she knew he’d tear apart the world to keep her safe. He’d tear apart his world, the one he’d worked so hard to build.
As the kiss broke, Kaylie stepped back, her resolve hardening. "I can never thank you enough for what you’ve done for us."
A flicker of confusion passed over his face. “I’m not done yet, fiamella. Not until Moreno is nothing but a bad memory.”
Kaylie gave a soft smile, but her heart wasn’t in it. No matter what Anthony said, Moreno was a threat. He was relentless and cruel. And he’d never give up on his daughter, just like the man had claimed at Anthony’s house. Next time, he’d send more men. He’d take Lia, without question.
Two mornings later, giggles filled the employee lounge area of Black Tower headquarters as Lia played with the colorful building blocks spread out before her. Kaylie watched her daughter with a mixture of relief and trepidation. She was grateful for the brief moments of normalcy amid the danger that surrounded them but also kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. It was like living in perpetual limbo. It didn’t help that she hadn’t had much time with Anthony. He’d been extremely busy yesterday, but she also had been careful to keep him at arm’s length after the other night.
That kiss. She shouldn’t have done that, but that was likely to be the only opportunity she had to do that, and well, it was a memory she wanted to take with her.
Joey sat across from them, engaging Lia in playful banter and sharing stories that elicited infectious laughter from the young girl. Kaylie couldn't help but appreciate the camaraderie that had developed between Joey and Lia in such a short time. The curly-haired Latina woman was fierce, and from the respect she garnered from the rest of the team, Kaylie gathered she was extremely good at her job.
Kaylie glanced up as Ryder entered the lounge area with purpose in his stride. His sharp eyes found Joey, and his expression wordlessly conveyed the urgency of the impending conversation. Kaylie observed their interaction, curiosity piqued by the dynamics within the Black Tower team.
“What’s up?” Joey asked.
"Morris Foods is on your watchlist, right?” Joey nodded. “They just completed the purchase of PrimoPak Foods. We need to understand why.” Ryder gestured for Joey to follow him, and she excused herself from Lia and Kaylie with a promise to return shortly.
The door closed behind them, muffling the low hum of conversation from the rest of Black Tower headquarters. Their departure left a tangible shift in the atmosphere. Kaylie frowned as she thought about the exchange. Why did Black Tower Security care about some food company buying another one?
Alone with Lia, Kaylie's mind swirled. The silence in the lounge suited Kaylie's contemplative mood. Lia paused in her play and looked up with wide, curious eyes.
"Mama, are we gonna stay here forever?"
Lia's innocent question cut through Kaylie's thoughts, grounding her in reality.
"No, baby. We're just figuring things out, finding a safe place for us," Kaylie replied, forcing a reassuring smile. Lia seemed content with the answer, returning to her blocks with renewed enthusiasm.
As the minutes ticked by, Kaylie's mind drifted to the enigmatic world of Black Tower Security. The camaraderie, the shared purpose, and the unspoken trust that bound the team together—it was a stark contrast to the fragmented world she had known in the clutches of the Moreno family. Or the loneliness she’d endured while constantly looking over her shoulder, knowing that danger could spring from the shadows at any moment.
Anthony, and Black Tower by extension, with his protective nature and unwavering loyalty, felt like an undeserved refuge. Yet, as Lia continued to play, that same sense of isolation crept back into Kaylie’s heart.
She couldn't shake the feeling that, despite the warmth of the Black Tower community, she remained on the fringes, an outsider in a world that had existed long before she entered it.
