"Okay. I love you, Gianna."
She paused. "I love you too, Remy."
Relief made my shoulders drop when I hung up the phone. Once I saw her, talked to her…I could make it better.
Melo finished breakfast and after he brushed his teeth, we left. He chattered a mile a minute and I was grateful that talking to Gianna set his tone for the day. Once I dropped him off, I headed to the hotel.
Parking, I let her know I was downstairs. Ten minutes later she shuffled down wearing shorts, a tank top, and slides. My heart started fluttering and I stepped out to greet her. I didn't even get a chance to say anything before she fell in my arms, body trembling.
"Hey, it's okay. I'm here now," I soothed her gently wrapping my arms tightly around her, pressing my lips to the top of her head. She pressed herself closer against me like she didn’t want to let me go. I rubbed up and down her back. "I'm here, baby. I got you. I'm not going anywhere."
She lifted her head from my chest and looked up at me. My heart broke. Her eyes were red and swollen, tears soaked on her cheeks.
"What's going on, beautiful? You're scaring me." I searched her face, my heart thudding harder. "Is it Boss? Did he do something to you?"
"No," she croaked. "Can we sit in the car and talk?"
"Of course." I kissed her forehead leading her to backseat. I waited for her to settle in before I slid in the other side, scooting close. My hand reached out for hers, lifting it and pressing my lips to the top. "Talk to me, beautiful?" I said against her skin.
She stared down at our hands for so long my stomach started twisting again. Then finally she pulled her hand away gently. The loss of contact felt immediate and painful.
"I been thinking a lot," she whispered.
I frowned slightly watching fresh tears fill her eyes. "About what?"
Us. She didn't say it, but I felt it anyway. "Gianna?" I prompted.
"I love you so much." Her voice broke. "And Melo…" She shook her head trying to breathe through her emotions. "Being with y'all was the happiest I've ever been."
Cold fear started creeping into my chest. "Baby, why are you talking like this?"
She covered her mouth briefly as a sob escaped her. I reached for her automatically, but she shook her head quickly.
"Please…let me finish."
That rejection hurt bad. But I slowly lowered my hand.
She stared out the tinted window instead of at me now. "Before I met you, my life was all over the place. And I got used to it—preferred it because I didn't think men like you existed." She swallowed hard. "And then you came and showed me peace."
"Gianna—"
"No listen." Tears rolled down her cheeks nonstop now. "You gave me a security. You trusted me around your son. You loved me more than anyone else." Her voice trembled harder. "And look what my life brought to your door."
I shook my head. "This isn't your fault."
"But it is," she cried finally looking at me. "You got bruises on your face because of me. Melo cried seeing you hurt because of me."
I moved closer. "Baby—"
"And what if next time it's worse?" she whispered brokenly. "What if next time you don't come home to him?"
That silenced me, but not for long. "You're worth whatever pain I have to endure to make sure you're safe," I replied honestly.
She shook her head. "Don't say that."
"It's true." I grabbed her hand again, but this time she didn't pull away. "You said I brought security and peace into your life—baby—you broughtlifeinto mine. Made me smile again. Made my son fall in love with you with just one look. You'reeverythingto me. You're my fucking light and now you're trying to take that away and put me back in the darkness."
Her face crumbled. "Please don't…" she whispered.
