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“So he can kill me, and nothing will be done?”
I set my mug on the coffee table. Crouching in front of her, I grasped both her cheeks. She was unbelievably soft under my fingers. Like something precious and expensive I shouldn’t be allowed to touch.
“No one is ever going to hurt you again.” It was the devil inside me making this promise. The one that wanted to rip Gio limb from limb for daring to touch her. “You’re mine.”
“Promise?”
The breath rushed from my lungs as she said the familiar words. I’d promised her before, and I failed. I wouldn’t this time. I wouldn’t let anyone come between us again.
“I promise.”
I crashed our mouths together, kissing her for the first time in seven years. Her lips parted in surprise, allowing me in. I swiped my tongue along hers, taking everything she offered.
Kissing her again was like relearning to breathe. I’d forgotten it didn’t have to be a struggle. That living could be easy. She made it easy. Made my life worth something.
* * *
Having Ariella tucked into my side felt right as we walked into Matteo’s house. We’d never gotten to do this. Our relationship had always been in the shadows. Only seen in the moonlight.
“Wow. I haven’t been here in years.” She said as we walked down the hall, past a picture of Matteo and Emma’s wedding day. She looked stunned in the photo. “I don’t remember it being this homey.”
“It wasn’t.” My lips twitched in the ghost of a smile. “I think that was Emma’s doing.”
“I still can’t believe he’s married.” She shook her head as she glanced at the photo. “And to someone normal.”
My fingers flexed around her hip as I rapped my knuckles on his office door. We entered after hearing his call. Emma was swiping lipstick from his lips as they turned to us. Her eyes flicked to Ariella.
Matteo’s brow rose in question, but he was quicker to school his features. I called him this morning and gave him a quick update on what I’d learned, but there was still more to say.
“Ariella.” His mouth pulled into a crooked smile as he stood. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You too.” She moved to hug him, but I held her close. I didn’t care if he was the boss. She was never touching another man.
His smile widened like he found my possessiveness funny. “Let me introduce you to my wife, Emma.”
She stepped forward, grasping Ariella’s hand gently. “It’s nice to meet you when you’re awake.”
Ariella’s brows furrowed as she looked at me. I saw when it clicked in her head. Her cheeks blushed beneath her olive skin. “Oh, my god. I’m so sorry. It was a bad night. And then I just rushed right out of here.”
My lungs squeezed as I thought about what she’d said that night. How she told me she still loved me. I hadn’t believed her. I’d thought it was drunken babble.
“Don’t apologize.” Emma dropped her hands to her rapidly growing belly. “I wish I could’ve joined you.”
Ariella’s eyes clouded with longing as she glanced down. “How far along are you?”
“About halfway, but it feels like I’ve been pregnant forever.” Her chuckle was sweet.
But all I could think about was how Ariella must be feeling. Did she have the pain in her chest like I did? For years, it had been a dull ache. A scratch. But now it felt like a bullet wound. Knowing that she’d been hurt and I hadn’t been there made it so much worse.
Our baby was taken from us. Both of us. It wasn’t a choice but an act of fate outside our control.
Without even thinking about it, I turned my body towards her. Pulling her closer, I kissed the top of her head. She leaned into me, relaxing. Her honey-colored eyes flicked to mine, and I knew we’d be okay. As long as I had those eyes, everything would be okay.
“Well, I’ll let you get to business.” Emma tried to give Matteo a soft kiss, but he grasped her neck, taking it deeper. She blinked as she turned back to us. “Ariella, do you want to join me? I’d love to get to know you better. Or do you need to stay?”
“No, I’ll come with you.” She pressed onto her toes, kissing my cheek.
I fisted her ponytail as I whispered in her ear. “Be safe.”
