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“Why?” I ask, proud my voice doesn’t quiver in fear. I know that this man isn’t Karl or Gio, I saw their faces on the news.
“I know what happened to you, Lakeland.” I suck in a sharp intake of breath.
“How do you know my name?” This time I can hear the hint of fear in my voice.
“I know a lot about you, I also know what it's like to be with the people you love but because of your past you are forced to stay away because you don’t want to continue to hurt them.” I cock my head to the side and study him, something about this man seems so familiar, is he someone from my past?
“How do you know me?”
“I will explain everything to you, I swear it but I need you to come with me.” I reel back and shake my head.
“You come anywhere near me and I’ll scream.” I warn him as fear begins to work its way through my body.
“Knox left nearly an hour ago, half of his men followed him and the rest have no idea you have even left the grounds.” I back up only to hit my lower back against the table. “I won’t harm you, I just want to help him.”
My eyes widen a fraction. “Help who?”
“My son.” I gasp, my jaw is practically on the floor but before I can utter a word or even scream the pain in my head returns with vengeance crippling me as I slam my eyes closed and cry out in pain.
“If you agree to marry me, I can get rid of Gio and stop him from going after my daughter. I need you to help me save my twins, I’m not the monster they think me to be, help me please, I beg you.”
I come to with a groan and grip my head as the pain in my temples makes itself known. I slowly blink my eyes open, only to be hit with nausea. I swallow the bile that is threatening to surface and whimper. I must have blacked out again. I try to recall what caused it and when the memory of the man in the woods hits me, I gasp and bolt upright snapping my eyes open. I look around the dimly lit room and sigh in relief, I’m in a cabin. Knox’s men must have found me and brought me back. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I stand only to have to grip the bedside table until my head stops spinning. I spot the glass and two white pills there and I smile, thinking about how Knox still cares even though he is hurting. I down them and decide I need to face the others and tell them what I learned.
I take a deep breath and steel my spine before opening the door and walking out only to frown. I don’t hear anyone talking but then the scent of mouthwatering food hits my nose so I follow the smell into a tiny kitchen. I slam to a halt at the sight of the man from the woods plating up food on the counter. He flicks his gaze to me and smiles. I spin around and spot the door. I rush to it and try to yank it open but it’s locked.
“Sit down and eat, let me explain and if my explanation doesn’t appease you I will unlock that door and give you the keys to my car with directions on how to return to my son and his mother.” I try to calm my breathing as I release the handle and slowly turn to face him. He grabs the two plates and walks over to a small four-seater table that is set out with candles and all. He takes his seat and motions with his hand for me to take the other. I debate ignoring his request for a second before he sighs and speaks again. “Please, let me explain.” The pleading tone of his voice is the only reason I obey him.
I plop down unceremoniously into the seat opposite him, I want to toss the plate at his head but my stomach lets out an embarrassing grumble that has a smirk gracing his face. I glare at the pasta on my plate for a second, before deciding I will need my strength if I have to run so I dig in. I watch out of the corner of my eye as he fills my glass with red wine. I don’t drink, never have since dad always told me medication and alcohol never mix well.
“You seem tense.” I glare at the asshole.
“You best get right with the Lord and play with Jesus, not me!” I snap, his eyes widen for a second before he throws his head back and releases a throaty laugh that has me staring at him. He doesn’t seem jaded or anything like the monster I had conjured him to be in my mind. He almost seems… sad. He grabs his napkin and dabs the corners of his eyes, then takes a sip of his wine before clearing his throat.
“Excuse me, it has been a long time since I have laughed like that. You may have lost your memories but not your spunk.”
Frowning, I ask, “How do you know about that?”
The amusement from a second ago vanishes from his features only for them to be filled with sorrow.
“Because I was there that night.” I gasp and jerk back into my chair as I grip the edge of the wooden table.
“The night of the accident?” He takes a shuddering breath and nods.
“Yes.”
“How? What happened? Tell me—” He raises his hand silencing my onslaught of questions.
“I wasn’t in the car, Lakeland, I was with you before you took off with…” He swallows and clears his throat. “My daughter.” I hear the pain in his voice, I can feel the agony radiating off of him like I do with Knox whenever he speaks about his sister. I search his eyes and frown, I see it in the depths of those brown eyes.
“You loved them?” I whisper.
He smiles sadly. “Loved, is past tense. I love them is what you mean to say.”
I shake my head, feeling more confused than ever. “But, Knox shot you. He took over your family and wiped out the Da Luca name and rebirthed it as the Re Della Strada.”
“Ah, yes. The Street Kings.” I frown. “That is what Re Della Strada means. Knox renamed the family under a name he thought best described him. He deemed himself the king of the streets so it was only fitting he named the family what he thought would fit. Plus, I knew he would never take my last name, he still remains under his mother’s, Bronson.”
“How are you not angry with him, he shot you!” I screech.
