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That was before I knew he was the Don, before he kidnapped me and threw me into a life of danger. I’ve learned now, you really shouldn’t hope for something when you don’t have all the details. It can backfire spectacularly.
Next to me, Tiero lets out a long breath. It sounds like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. My eyes rise to meet his. I don’t like what I see. His expression is conflicted yet determined… and there’s something else… incredible grief.
“Tiero?” I ask, my stomach churning.
He lets out another sigh before licking his lips to moisten them.
“Angel, you are the One for me. I’ve waited my entire life for you. I love you… so much. But…” He pauses to gather himself, swallowing visibly as tears sting my eyes, his heaviness weighing me down.
But what?
“But…” Tiero looks away, and letting go of my hands, wipes his eyes before pinching the bridge of his nose. He goes silent again. I stare at him, frowning as my heart rate gains speed.
Finally, he looks at me. “I want you to be happy more than I want you to be mine. And Ireallywant you to be mine.
“But you could never be happy in my world. You love me… I believe that because I feel it. Still, you ran, because you’ve got principles. Those don’t exist in my world. Hence, I can’t give them to you. I fucking wish I could. But I was born into a family of crime, and I’m destined to die in it.
“I want you to have a life full of happiness and safety. A life where you don’t have to look over your shoulder constantly. You can have that with Burg…” He swallows hard.
“I’m giving you up.”
What?
The lump in my throat grows to the size of a grapefruit, making it impossible to swallow.
Tiero is the most possessive man I’ve ever met… and he’s letting me go to be with another man? What is happening?
My thoughts are frozen, yet my mind seems to race.
“I don’t understand,” I croak through my tight throat. But I do. I do understand.
Tiero is sacrificing his happiness for mine.
First one tear, then another leaves my eyes until it’s an unstoppable torrent.
I throw my arms around him, and without hesitation, he pulls me tight against his body, holding on as if his life depended on it, almost crushing me with the force.
But I want to be crushed. How can I possibly say goodbye to this man?
I sob into his shoulder.
He pushes me away and takes my face into his hands. He’s crying too. Big fat tears are running down his face. How many people have ever seen him cry?
“I love you so much, angel. You are my life. But for you to be happy, you cannot be with me. I cannot give you what you need; I hate myself for it.
“I want you happy, and I need you safe. It kills me to say this, but Burg can give this to you. He was prepared to die for you. He loves you as much as I do. And I’ve seen how happy you are with him. This is the right thing to do.” The last part was said more to himself than me.
I feel sick. But what he said… it’s all true.
This really is the end for us.
Nausea overtakes, but I swallow down the bile.
The tears are still running down my face. I’m not sure they’ll ever stop.
My face is still in his hands, his fingers caressing my cheeks. “Even though I’m giving you up, it doesn’t mean I’m walking away from you. I am and will always be there for you when you need me.
“Promise me, angel, promise me you’ll come to me if ever you need help… no matter what.”
