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“I could if I changed my name.”
His eyes close, and I get the feeling he was hoping I’d choose his protection over the Contis’. When he opens them, the emotion I thought I saw before is gone. His expression is empty.
“I’ll ask Liam about that.” He rolls his shoulders. “Until then, you stay here.” He goes to the door.
“Where are you going?”
“I have work to do. I’ll be going back to New York tomorrow, and I’ll stay there.”
I move to him, wanting to touch him. He tenses, so I keep my hands to myself.
“Can I come to see you?”
He shakes his head. “Not unless you change your mind.” His gaze rakes over my body as if he’s taking one last look at me. He turns, leaving the room.
I should go after him. But no, I’m on the verge of having what I want. But the babies…
God. I sink down on the bed, paralyzed with doubt and confusion. I don’t want to live in the world Niko lives in. But I’m pretty sure I don’t want to live in a world without him.
24
ELENA
Freedom.
It’s right there for the taking. Sitting on Niko’s bed, I catch my reflection in the mirror across the room, the curve of my belly barely visible beneath the loose fabric of my night shirt. If I take him up on the offer, he won’t know about the twins. The twins won’t know about him. The idea of my babies growing up in the violent, suffocating world Niko lives in should make this decision a no-brainer, and yet, my heart breaks.
Niko wants me to stay in his room, but I’m compelled to let Lucia know that I’m okay. Besides, the room feels lonely, sad without him. I step into the hallway, noting that the guard who was there earlier is gone. I guess Niko only wanted him there to prevent Lucia from disturbing us.
I make my way to the room.
Lucia rushes to me when I enter. “Oh, my God, Elena. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Really.”
“What did he do to you?” Her gaze scans me as if she’s looking for signs of trauma. “Did he touch you?”
I sigh and sit on the window seat. “Yes, but not in the way you think. Or at least, not in a way that I didn’t want.”
Her brow arches. “You like it when he touches you?”
I guess sex with her husband isn’t as nice as it is for me with Niko. “I do.” Maybe I shouldn’t admit that. The truth is, there is much I like about being here with Niko, including the sex. I like his company on our walks. I like how he worries about my health. I appreciate that he wants me to find my interests.
I look over at her as she sits on the window seat with me. “He said he’d let me go.”
She blinks. “What’s the catch?”
“Only that I have to wait until it’s safe.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’ll never be safe?—”
“When this thing with Romeo and his family is done. He said I could go with you. He’d make sure it was all clear with the Contis.”
Lucia's hand takes mine as her eyes light up. “We’ll be together.”
I nod, smiling back but not feeling it deep in my heart.
“Oh, it will be so wonderful. You’ll love it there. The countryside is so beautiful. The area is walled, so there is a place to walk. The babies will have room to run and play.” She stops and looks at me. “Does that mean you’re not telling him about the twins?”
