AllFreeNovel
Share Us
What happened with Giancarlo has left me experiencing a gamut of different feelings—pure rage over his actions, deep guilt I couldn’t prevent them, disgust he’d violate her, and a dark and primal urge to reconquer Falynn as my own.
All of it has been too much. So I’ve avoided her, unable to give her the softness she needed.
Louis waits for me when I deplane the private jet. Right away, from only a glance at him, I know things at the Vittoria have gone to shit. We slide into the Audi and hit the streets.
“Boss, Miss Falynn’s in not so good shape,” Louis says on a somber note. “She still hasn’t been eating much. And, uh, earlier, she was packing her things. She says she wants out.”
It’s like a punch to the heart, though my face remains expressionless. “I’m not letting her go.”
Louis stares. “Uh, Boss…you can’t…you can’t force her. It’s not right. Not after what she’s been through—”
“I can’t lose her,” I interrupt simply. “Which means I can’t let her leave. Do you understand? Shecan’tleave.”
I’m a selfish son of a bitch. I’ve never pretended to be anything else. Falynn can’t leave because she’s mine. It doesn’t matter what happens between us or what she wants. She’s always going to be mine. I’m never letting her go.
Endless power is at my fingertips, being the man I am. The heir to the Sorrentino throne. Yet the one thing I need, the only one who can truly bring me to my knees, is Falynn.
She doesn’t grasp her importance. She’s my last andonlytie to humanity. Without her by my side to rule, all the wealth and power means nothing.
Louis blows a breath, shaking his head. “This is a mess, Boss. You haven’t seen her. I think she’s really done this time.”
“We need some time alone. I’ve been in the wrong place mentally to be around her.”
“I’ve got to say I’m Team Falynn on this one. No offense, Boss.”
“Are you my right hand or Falynn’s?”
“I’m just saying. If I can be real, you fucked up. She doesn’t deserve to be neglected. You didn’t see how she cried for you when we thought you were dead. Even when Giancarlo threatened her, she never backed down. She was never going to give in to him no matter what he did to her,” he says grimly. “She loves you a lot.”
The guilt tightens its hold inside my chest. I’ve done this to her. I’ve neglected this bright and loyal woman when all she wanted was to love me; she only needed my love, my care in return.
When we pull through the valet entrance at the Vittoria, I shoot from the car. I head straight to the private elevators, riding up to the penthouse floor. Louis can’t keep up. He hustles as best as he can, but as he rounds the corner of the hall, I’m already sliding my key into our penthouse door.
I slam it shut, twisting the locks into place. Louis won’t be interfering; no one will.
This is between Falynn and me only.
I unclasp my watch and drop it on the console table in passing. I undo my cufflinks and push my sleeves to my elbows as I stride through the living area and burst into the bedroom.
Louis wasn’t kidding.
There’s an open suitcase on the king-sized bed, halfway full of Falynn’s belongings. As I pause in the doorway, admittedly shocked by the sight, she emerges from the closet with another heap of clothes in her arms. She freezes, her face strangely empty.
It’s almost enough to make me begin begging on the spot.
I’ve never seen her like this. The glow she normally has is gone, her complexion almost sickly, her eyes rimmed red. She’s stuffed her chocolate curls into a messy knot at the top of her head, her clothes a hoodie and yoga pants. She’s dressed for comfort, like she’s going to be traveling a long time.
“Falynn—”
“I didn’t take any of the more expensive stuff,” she interrupts, moving to the suitcase, and dropping the heap on top. “If you don’t want me to take anything, I’ll empty all of it. But I don’t have anything else to wear. You never took me by my old place to get my things.”
“You didn’t need them.Thesethings are your things. I bought them for you.”
She doesn’t say anything, arranging the clothes inside the suitcase.
I have to admit, this shit scares me. The sight of her packing up, the lack of emotion on her face, the thought she’s about to walk out on me. My heart hammers against my ribcage, beating so hard and fast it’s like I’m not standing perfectly still. It’s more like I’ve run a few miles.
A moment passes before I force myself to calm down. She’s not going anywhere. I won’t let her go. Still, this doesn’t change how concerning the scene before me is. I’ve driven her to this and pushed her so far away that she wants out. What have I done?
