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“I think you need to explain that.”
“It was harmless flirting. It was nice. I mean, it’s good for a girl to know she’s desirable—”
“I’m pretty sure that I made that clear to you, Ena.”
“You did, but you also have this knack to make me feel lacking,” she murmurs.
“Ena—”
“You left me alone for a long time, Marco.”
“Sweetheart—”
“I know you had your reasons, but I also know we’re slowly reverting backwards instead of moving forward.”
“You don’t think I know that, baby? You ran from me, remember?”
“I remember. I also know I’ve been here for a while and the man who didn’t want to allow me the opportunity to work here hasn’t been here once.”
“Another test I wasn’t aware of,” I mutter, finally getting it. “I’ve been trying to handle you softly. You didn’t exactly thank me for threatening your father.”
“I think you bought enough trouble doing that. Or, at least, I would assume that’s why my father talked to Zervas’ father.”
“You would assume correctly,” I admit with a sigh.
“How did you find out their plan?”
“That’s something for us to discuss face to face. There are things you need to know, and they are the type of things I refuse to discuss over the phone.”
“Does that mean our conversation is tabled until Tuesday?”
“This particular one, yes. I have a different one we can enjoy, though.”
I’m rewarded with her light laugh. The sound wraps around me, and I enjoy it for a minute.
“Why am I afraid to ask what it is you want to discuss now, Marco?”
“What are you wearing?” I purr.
My bigger reward is her laugh, it’s deeper this time, fuller, and there’s a happiness to it that I’ve missed so fucking much that I could barely breathe.
“Maybe if you’re lucky you can convince me to continue this conversation Tuesday when you get here.”
“Baby,” I groan.
“I’ve missed that, honey.”
“I’ve missed you. I want you home, Ena.”
She lets out a quiet sigh and just before I start to lose the hope which has sprung to life, my woman rocks my world. “Marco—”
“Ena…”
“I wish I hadn’t left. Overhearing your brothers hurt, but it made me panic. I didn’t want to be someone you were with because you felt you needed to save me—or someone who trapped you.”
“I don’t know what has changed, but I’m fucking glad. There’s something you should know, sweetheart.”
“What’s that?” she says so softly it’s like a gentle puff of air with the words carried on it.
The sound makes my cock ache and I feel it in my balls. I have to have her back soon. I’ve killed myself so I can go there and still do what needed to be done for DeLuca, for the family and to make things good for Helena. I’m not stupid, I know everything I do is ultimately for her. It’s not for the reasons she thinks though. I don’t have a need to be a hero—not when it comes to her. No, when it comes to my woman, she is saving me. She’s the reason I didn’t lose myself to the darkness.
“If anyone saves anyone in this relationship it’s you. You are my sun and you keep me from getting lost in the darkness.”
“Marco—”
“I’m coming Tuesday. We’ll talk about your work, but I need you to know, I want you back home. I’m done with being separated.”
“I’ll see you, Tuesday, honey,” she whispers.
Long after we’ve said our goodbyes, I’m left lying on a piece of shit, blow-up mattress and wishing my woman was here with me. Yet, I’m smiling. I’m doing that because for the first time in way too fucking long, I feel hope.
She’s coming home and I’m never letting her go again.
Helena
I take the last drop of my drink into my mouth and swallow it down. Then, I close my eyes, knowing that I’ve surrendered to Marco. I don’t regret it. I did it because I wanted to. I can’t even blame it on the fact that I’m more than slightly tipsy. What just happened wasn’t because of the alcohol. It’s because I’m tired. I never wanted to leave Marco in the first place.
Marco is not Melina’s Antonio. He’s not like any man I’ve ever known or probably will know. He has his own baggage and his own scars. I have to quit comparing him to others. I have to trust in him. I was confused as hell when I ran, but the longer I’m away from him the more positive I become.
Marco is where I belong. Things here are a mess. Zervas has me on edge. We barely talk now but sometimes when he looks at me, my skin crawls. It’s drastic how quick that has changed, but I know it began that day in the gallery when he told Ivan Levkin that I was his property. My uneasiness at work has gotten so bad, I’ve already been thinking of returning to Greece. With Marco’s call tonight, I know it’s time to stop punishing us both.
