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“God, I hate this. I don’t want to share the same air as these people,” I whisper harshly. My heart is racing as I wait for the impending moment that everything goes down. Until then, I’m stuck sitting here, watching people mourn for my father for a second time.It’s too hard…
“We’ll confront Dante and get out of here, Em. Just hold on.” Niko replies, trying to console me.
I lean over kissing his cheek. “I’m sorry I know you hate being here.”
“No, I like being here for you. I hate using a damn wheelchair. I wanted to be able to walk.”
“You are doing so good, though.”
“It doesn’t feel like it. My own damn voice doesn’t even sound familiar.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. It sounds beautiful. It’s the same, just a little huskier,” I tell him, watching his lips twitch. “It’s sexy.”
“How are you holding up?” he asks, staring at me intently.
“I’m okay. Tonight, is the first step towards avenging my father. It won’t bring him back, but it will help a little knowing they won’t get away with taking him from us.”
“You know Katherine was lying. You do know I was serious. Your father didn’t pay—”
“Stop. My father showed me the contract—allof the contract.”
“I would’ve pursued you the moment you were legal, with or without a damn contract, Em. You were mine the moment I kissed your forehead on your birthday. Back then, mine to protect. Now, you’re mine in all ways. You were just too young back then.”
“You had no idea what I would be like at this age.”
“I knew you’d be mine,” he says. The intensity in his stare warms me all the way through.
Closing my eyes, I breathe as I try to center myself. Whatever is about to happen, I know I’m not ready. At least not to deal with the people. I’m ready to get justice for my father. “Do we have to let those idiots in here?”
“As soon as we confront Dante and Antonio gets him in custody, we can leave. Once that’s done, Antonio’s men will escort the others out. Your father had his service already. He’ll stay in our hearts.”
“Okay. He sure deserves better than this.”
“And you deserve better than to get married to a man who couldn’t even tell you how beautiful you are,” Niko says, pointedly.
“I wore black and looked like hell. That’s not an exaggeration. Ask Callan.”
“You’d still be beautiful to me.”
“Are you sure you remember our relationship, okay? Because you’ve been a lot nicer since waking up.”
“Maybe I realize that time can be fleeting now, too.”
I reach up, rubbing the back of Niko’s neck as he leans down, putting his forehead against mine. “I know you’re tired and running on empty but hold it together just a little longer for me. You’re not alone now, Em. I’m here.”
His words make my heart clench in my chest. I’ve waited days—weeks to hear that. “I just wish I could tell my father how grateful I am because I really do love you, Niko.” I pause, sniffling as I try to hold it together. “I’m sorry I ran away when Katherine answered your phone. I shouldn’t have. Truthfully, I made my mistake before that. I should’ve gone to Greece with you.”
“No,” he says adamantly. “If you had been hurt, I couldn’t have handled it. “
“Careful, you’re starting to sound like you might care about your wife,” I tease.
“Something like that.”
We look up as Antonio enters through the side door, pausing to check on me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m surviving,” I tell him with a forced smile. He holds my hand, kissing the back of it.
Niko growls under his breath making Antonio laugh. I bite my lip not to laugh with him as he goads Niko. “Down boy.”
