It’s my sister.
Eight years old, just like the last time I saw her. And the tears in her eyes pierce through the decades of grief and resentment and longing for revenge.
“Please,” she says with Isabella’s voice. “I just want you to be happy.”
And then, for the first time in seventeen years, I let the tears fall.
24
ISABELLA
My hands shake as I reach for him.“Teo,”I whisper.
But the tears fall, and they fall.
I don’t know what to do, but the pain is so clearly etched onto his face, and I need to dosomething.
“Teo, it’s okay. We’ll…we’ll figure it out,” I say as I comb my fingers through his hair.
But he just continues to stare at me. Starethroughme as if I’m not even there.
“You and me. We’ll figure it out,” I repeat again. “We’re smart.You’reso smart. There’s an answer to all of this that makes sense. One where neither of us gets hurt.”
He leans into my touch, so I just keep going.
“We can do it. I promise you, I’ll try. I’ll listen. I’ll help. Just please don’t…don’t end this. Please.”
His hand suddenly covers mine. “End this?”
I choke back my own sob. “I thought…why are you crying?”
“I’m not ending this,” his voice is strained, hoarse from his tears. “I’m not strong enough, and I’m sorry for that. I’m so sorry for that.”
The relief is instant and washes over me like a salve on my burning skin.
“Don’t be,” I lean forward, resting my forehead against his. “I’m not strong enough either. I’m not sure if I ever was.”
He hums, closing his eyes to the touch. “You were convincing, though.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
For a moment, we just sit there, drinking each other in, breathing the same air, and taking so much comfort in it. It’s been a long day. A hard day. My body aches from last night's sex, from running away, from fighting Luis and the cartel.
“We’re going to figure this out,” I say again. “Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow,” I confirm.
“So, tonight?”
I nudge my nose down to his cheek and kiss the corner of his mouth. “Tonight, I’m going to thank you for saving me.”
He smiles against my lips. “In that case, I should punish you for running away.”
“It was necessary.”
“It was reckless.”
