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With that, he’s gone, and I’m left watching as the woman I love is once more taken from me. And just like the last time, I never got to say goodbye.
* * *
“You did what?” Seth questions, his tone filled with confusion.
“When Arthur releases one of his soldiers, or we make a deal with him, he gives us one final job. Either we die out on the field, or we return, and he gives us what we asked for. I called him while Giuliana was asleep and asked him for her, just her. Nothing more.”
“And his deal?” His voice is filled with worry, and I don’t blame him. The email hasn’t come through yet, but something tells me it’s not going to be an easy task.
Settling back on the sofa, I stare out the window. My mind is on her. The job means nothing to me. This life I’m living, it’s barren without her. “I’m supposed to take out a mark, then, I can try to win her back, but he doesn’t want me to leave the Cavalieri. If I manage to survive this job, I will work remotely. I want to buy her a house, give her everything she should have.”
“I have a bad feeling about this, man,” Seth expresses, and I want to agree, but I laugh it off. My gut is in knots, and it’s not only because of the wounds which are nowhere near healed. Arthur knows I was shot, so he’ll put me in harm’s way.
“Look, I’ll be fine. And if I’m not, you can come and bail my ass out.” I laugh, but the sound is stinted. Seth knows me far too well, and I know I can’t bullshit him. As much as I try, the young man is also aware of his surroundings.
“Be careful,” he warns, then hangs up without saying goodbye. We hardly ever do because we’re never sure if that will be the last time we say it. None of the Cavalieri do.
Sighing, I drop the phone on the cushion beside me and close my eyes, but each time I do, I see her gaze. Her pained stare as she watched me from the distance while they dragged her away as if she’d done something wrong. When all she did was love me.
The ping comes an hour later. I don’t open it. Instead, I make my way to the kitchen, grab a bottle of beer, and settle back on the couch. When I finally pick up my iPad, I open the encrypted message and scan the details.
I knew he’d fuck me over.
I can’t believe he’s given me a mark so close to home.
This isn’t an ordinary job.
And I have another choice to make.
All for love.
Giuliana
Arthur speaks to me, attempting to be civil, but I don’t let him know how I’m feeling. I don’t even look at him. My gaze is on the scenery passing by. Each moment and each mile that puts me farther away from Lance is another notch on my heart. The small, cracked pieces that are falling fail to find love. I’m angry Lance even thought he could do this.
Yes, he’s trying to save me, but he doesn’t know what’s best for me. Even if he thinks he’s bad, I know better. He’s mine, and I’ve always been his. His martyrdom is stupid. He gave himself willingly to Arthur, to the Cavalieri, all so I can have a happy life.
“You know, if he weren't such a good soldier, I would’ve killed him years ago,” my father utters from beside me as if he’s happy about this latest development. “I didn’t think you’d stick it out at the convent, so when Sergio informed me he picked you up, I couldn’t help but laugh. Falling right into the plan I set.”
Snapping my gaze to his, I furrow my brows in confusion. “What plan?” Blue meets blue, one set of eyes burning with fury, the other with satisfaction.
“I ensured you were able to escape. You’re my daughter after all. I know you better than you know yourself.” His words turn my blood cold and my spine rigid. He planned this. Every fucking thing in my life is him tugging the strings as if he were the puppet master and we, mere mortals, are the puppets dancing for his entertainment.
“You’re disgusting. I’m sick of being a Calthorpe,” I spit the words at him.
“Oh? Would you rather be a Knight? Lance will never marry you.” He chuckles.
I don’t respond.
Do I want that from Lance?
After he sent me off to my father?
Yes. I’ve always wanted that.
Fate brought him to me when I didn’t know what love was, and even now, after I’ve spent these two years without him, seeing him again only solidified my feelings.
“Yes,” I finally utter. “I want to be a Knight more than anything else.” I don’t look at my father when I tell him this. I doubt he’ll care about what I’ve just said, but I know he’ll respond with some snarky comment.
