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I couldn’t keep Leda now, not like this. It was more than just Adrian coming for me. If I wasn’t willing to give up this life, then she didn’t belong in it. I was a brute, a monster, a fuck up. I would keep hurting her until there was nothing left, and I didn’t want to do that. Leda deserved more.
Even if I didn’t fucking like it.
I picked up the ring and turned it over in my palm, feeling the weight of what I had done to her crashing down on me. I shouldn’t give a shit, but Leda was the only person who knew everything about my life and still cared.
She still fucking cared.
Now I didn’t even have her, and it was time for me to admit it.
Tucking the ring into the pocket of my jeans, I picked up my cell phone and found the familiar number I had just talked to yesterday.
Nico answered on the first ring.
“What is it now?” he growled. “You are starting to become a thorn in my fucking side, Valentino.”
“She’s ready to leave,” I told him, the words heavy on my tongue.
There was a slight pause, almost a sharp intake of breath. “What brought this about?”
“That’s none of your fucking business,” I growled, pacing the room. “You want her protected? Come get her.”
“If I found out you hurt my sister,” Nico answered dryly.
“I didn’t touch her,” I muttered. “Look, just come get her and we’ll forget any of this ever happened. It’s what you wanted, right?”
The sooner I had her gone, the easier it might be to breathe, to focus on the things I was good at, because I wasn’t good at being the person Leda needed.
“She’s not a fucking thing you can just throw away, Valentino,” Nico growled.
“I’m not throwing her away,” I bit out. “I’m simply giving you and Leda what both of you want.”
Each word was like a punch to my gut, but it was the only thing I could do. I had to get her out of my life. For her own safety. I’d atone for it later, I’d beg forgiveness later. But for now, I had to be the monster and break her heart.
Nico was silent for a few moments before he let out a heavy sigh. “All right. Give me a few hours. I will send you the car information. Don’t follow him back.”
“Noted,” I answered.
“Lucas,” Nico stated, causing me to pause from ending the call. “I don’t know why you are doing this, but I appreciate it. I know this can’t be easy.”
“Just send your man,” I growled, ending the call before it could get any odder. I didn’t need advice from the former don. Hell, I needed something to go right for once.
Now I had to tell Leda what I had done.
After shoving my feet into my loafers, I tucked my phone into my back pocket and made my way to my bedroom, finding the door cracked open. The good news was that I didn’t keep any weapons in my personal domain that she would be able to find, but I wouldn’t put it past Leda to find something to injure me with.
So, I eased the door open, finding her out on the balcony. My heart fucking tightened as I watched the wind play with her long tresses, the feeling of knowing she belonged right there tearing me in two. If I could have the perfect scenario, this would be it. Leda would turn, and her smile would cut me to my knees, knowing that she didn’t see anyone else but me.
That wasn’t going to be the case, nor would it ever. I hated myself for it, for how fucking happiness had been right there in my grasp, and I had screwed it up.
Slipping into the mask of indifference that I had used for so long, I made my way to Leda. She turned the moment my feet hit the balcony, her gaze wary.
“Lucas,” she lifted her chin.
“Leda,” I replied evenly, letting my arms hang at my side. “I trust you are well?” In truth she looked like I felt, defeated and unable to process the torrent of emotions inside.
“What do you want?” she asked instead, ignoring my question.
Her bitterness helped pull me together and I tucked my hands in my pockets, finding the ring there. For a moment I thought about pulling it out, forgetting my plans, and begging her forgiveness. Would she take it that I was serious about her, about us?
