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I would have thought it impossible to cry harder, but that’s exactly what happens when Vic pulls me off the floor, walking us over to the couch, holding me closely as we sit down. He shifts me in his lap and begins rocking me silently against him, letting me cry. His callused fingers sift through my hair, and I just cry until eventually the sobs slow down to just a slow stream of tears and hiccups.
“I’m—I’m getting you all wet,” I finally whisper.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“I just don’t understand why,” I whine, aching so deep it makes my bones hurt.
“Sometimes there are no reasons,” he says gently.
His gentleness nearly sends me over the edge again.
“I miss my daddy,” I bawl, turning my face into Vic’s chest no longer able to fight the exhaustion taking over me. I just let the tears come.
“I know,” he says, petting my hair as he tries to soothe away my pain.
God if only he could. This isn’t going to go away. It will always be with me. It has taken root inside of me.
Vic doesn’t say anything more, he just lets me cry it out. I don’t know how long I hold onto him. I just know I do it until finally the world goes black and I get a break from the cruel evil the world has become.
CHAPTER37
Antonio DeLuca
The Next Morning
I’ve been to Niko’s home several times, but the last couple have been hell. Jesus, it’s as if there is a dark cloud over the whole home. You feel it the minute you get out of the car. I walk up the large steps that lead to the front door. My security detail follows behind me. They’ve been a part of my life for so long, that I barely notice them. Today is different, because today the realization that I let my men down nearly suffocates me.
Niko’s men let me in without a word. I motion to my men to remain by the door. I walk straight to Niko’s office. I had his bed set up in there for two reasons. One, it’s easier to defend from the outside and secondly, I wanted Emilia to feel comfortable to be in the main bedroom on the bottom floor if she needed a break. I take a breath and then open the large doors.
I don’t know what I expected but coming in to see Victorio lying on the sofa, with Emilia draped over him, her head buried into his chest asleep. Victorio is wide awake, coming her hair softly.
I cock my eyebrow and rub the pads of my fingers through my beard, scratching my chin. Victorio shakes his head but leans down to whisper to Emilia. “Wake up, Emmie.”
She breathes out with a soft moan, stretching. I watch as her eyes open. She lets out a gasp as she realizes where she’s at. She pushes away from Victorio, stumbling backwards. For a minute I think she might fall, but eventually she steadies herself.
Her gaze eventually moves to me, and I know she’s shocked to see me there. Her hands clap together as she wrings them. “I had a tough day yesterday,” she confesses her voice filled with tenderness and shame.
“I’m sure you did.”
“I was exhausted, and I had a mini breakdown when Vic found me.”
“It’s okay, cara. Why don’t you go get ready so we can leave?”
“Leave?” she asks, fully confused. “Where are we going?”
I step closer to her and grab her hand and hold it carefully in mine. “I’m going to take you to the funeral home to make arrangements and to see your father.”
I can tell the words hurt her. She physically jumps, pushing her hair from her face. “I will go shower now and get ready as soon as I can, I’m sorry.”
“You’re fine, Emmie. Go get ready. I want to visit with Niko and talk with Vic. You have time.”
Emilia’s gaze moves to Niko and her cheeks instantly fill with color. “I will…” she forces her eyes back to me. “I will be back soon.”
She gives Victorio one small look that is filled with guilt—obviously embarrassed. Then, she walks swiftly from the room. Once the door closes, I lean against a large cabinet and stare at the man in front of me. “Do you have anything to confess to me, Victorio?”
He walks over to me shaking his head. “It wasn’t what it looked like. Nothing happened.”
“She was fully dressed, so I figured, but…” I let my sentence end there, wondering if he will fill in the blanks.
