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“No. It changes nothing. He deserves to know.” With that, he presses a kiss to the top of my head and leaves.
Tiero’s eyes remain closed. Unfortunately, it gives me plenty of time to think about the ups and downs of our relationship. It all started with an attempt on his life. Will it end with one as well?
The thought makes me panic.
No! No, he will make it. He will pull through. He has to! Mateo will find him new lungs. It’s just a matter of when.
Tiero’s ominous words resurface in my mind.You’re born in la familia and you’ll die in it.
No! This is not his time, I scream at the memory.
I clasp his hand in mine. It’s cool to touch and all I want to do is infuse it and him with my warmth and my love.
Can you feel this, my love? Can you feel me?
I think back to when we first met, how I was aware of him even before I saw him. That magic pull that has always drawn us together. I was so intimidated by him in the beginning; it makes me laugh now.
Our time on his island was the making of us. It’s where I got to see a side of him only a few get glimpses of. I loved it, especially that first day alone with him. He was so carefree, so relaxed. I’ve not seen him like that since.
Then he kidnapped me. The horror of waking up in a strange place, of not knowing who took me or why; the memory is still like a fresh wound. We got to know each other in a way I could never have anticipated, the darkness of his world and of him trying to swallow me up whole. Yet, despite it all, I loved him. Still do.
In the short time since we met, we parted ways many times already, the heartache never getting easier. The day I thought I was returning home to Ireland, the day on the train station in Monza when I finally escaped, and then last Saturday when Tiero was prepared to walk away from me for good. The raw emotion still lingers, the look of utter destruction on his face… it’s something I will never forget, and the pain I caused is something I will forever regret.
Sadness falls over me like the veil clouding the light. I squeeze the hand I’m holding in mine, a lone tear rolling down my cheek.
Please don’t let this be our last goodbye.
My touch stirs him, and he slowly opens his eyes, connecting them with mine.
“Why the tears, my angel?” he asks softly.
I shake my head, trying to dispel the gloom that’s taken over my mind. “It’s nothing,” I say, hoping I don’t sound distraught.
“You know you can tell me anything,” he says slowly, a little slurred.
Tell him. He deserves to know.
I can’t. It would destroy him.
But my earlier thoughts are something I do want to share.
“I’m sorry, Tiero. I’m so sorry I hurt you, so sorry for breaking your heart when I ran away. I saw your face from the train in Monza. It tore me apart, knowing it was me who caused you such anguish.”
“You haven’t broken my heart, angel. It’s still intact and beating for you.”
I don’t know what to say to that. The tears are still flowing, and I bring my hands to my face and hide.
I feel Tiero’s stare on me; he’s studying me. “Ella,” he calls softly, reaching out his fingers in my direction. I grab a bunch of tissues and wipe my eyes. Taking his hand, I look at him.
“Don’t be sad for me. My life is complete… because I found you.” There is awe in his voice; it makes me smile. “And next lifetime we get to be together. But for now, I want you to live your life to the fullest. I’m grateful it’s with someone who will give you what I couldn’t.”
I know my face falls as I listen to his words; the smile disappearing from my lips. If only it were true.
As if sensing my internal turmoil, Tiero’s brows draw together.
“What is it, princess? Are you not happy? Does Aiden not treat you right?” Even on his deathbed, he wants to protect me.
“No. It’s not that. Aiden is amazing,” I reassure him. I don’t want him to think that he sacrificed his happiness in vain.
