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“I need you, Niko.” I whisper it into the room, and it feels like such a huge admission and yet so small and weak at the same time. I want Niko to know what I’m going to do. I’m hoping it will give him enough fuel to bring himself back to me.I need that from him. “They took my father away—away from both of us,” I whisper, the words cracking because they are so painful to utter. “They stole him and we can’t let that go.Ican’t let that go. You need to be a part of this. You need to wake up. Until you’re here to help, I will start on my own. I don’t know what will happen—or how to start—but Iwilldo this. I promise to hold it together until you can be here to stand with me. You will give me strength and my father deserves both of us doing this for him. That means you have got to wake up and do your part. We will have revenge. For my daddyandfor you.” The word daddy leaving my lips starts another round of tears. “I know when you wake, you’ll be upset with what I’m doing, but I must do this. Imust. When you can help, I’ll be here. I’ll be here because I need you, There’s noifin this scenario, Niko. Come back to me.I need you.I need you so much.”
I’m struggling with so much guilt. I ran away, like a foolish child. I left because my feelings were hurt. Instead of fighting for what I wanted—what was mine—I was on a beach waiting for Niko to prove himself to me. I should have been by his side when he needed me most.
I never realized how much of my life has already been wrapped up in Niko and the bond we’ve been forming. Now, I just feel so alone and the ache of that is soul destroying. I need to figure things out. I don’t know where to start and Callan is barely holding it together. His best friend is fighting for his life, and he’s got to hold my hand through it all. I need to speak with Antonio. He can help me.He’s the only one who can.
“Vic, Callan…” I call out. True to their word, they come back in immediately, proving they were waiting right outside. “Do you know who did this?” I ask, watching their faces closely. I don’t normally observe people and find their tells, but if I’m going to do what needs to be done, I need to start. I need to be able to judge when others are trying to soften things for me—or outright lie. I have revenge to plan. I can do that. I can channel my anger, pain, and sorrow and give it a purpose. I can cling to that for now.
“No, we don’t. We’ve searching for answers, but we’re not getting anywhere.”
“Does anyone know my father has died?” I ask Callan.
“Absolutely not. We locked it down. Niko was flown here on a private medical charter, and no one will find him on any patient roster. Everyone that helps him is paid to keep their mouths shut. Your father’s body is in Greece. DeLuca is taking care of those arrangements and having him sent here.”
“We can’t announce my father’s death. Not yet. My family are vultures. Every last one of them and they will commence circling. I can’t deal with that right now.”
“Breathe,” Vic says gently.
My hand is knotted into Niko’s bedsheet. It’s then I realize that my heart is racing as all the what ifs circle through my mind, making it hard to catch my breath. I didn’t even realize I was moving toward a panic attack.I can’t allow weakness.I try to smile at Vic, as an unspoken thank you.
“I want to see Antonio.”
“Antonio is aware you’re here, Emilia. He will be here tomorrow,” Callan responds.
“I can go to him.”
“Antonio wants to be here. It’s a show of honor and respect,” Vic says.
“Okay,” I nod, not fully understanding. I turn to Callan. “We can announce my father’s death after I talk to Antonio.”
“You’re keeping control really well,” Vic says softly.
“When you have nothing left…” My voice cracks and I have to swallow the painful lump in my throat before I can finish. I just end up shrugging unable to finish the sentence and instead give him the truth. “I want to see whoever did this punished, and I really want to be part of the reason as to why they suffer.”
“You sound like Niko.” Callan says, looking over at his friend.
I whisper. “I want him to be proud of me. I want my father to be proud…”
“I don’t think that’s anything you need to worry about, Emilia,” Callan responds.
I nod, hoping he’s right—all while praying I can do this.
CHAPTER35
Emilia
Antonio got here about thirty minutes ago. I wanted to give him time to see Niko and speak with him alone. I know he thinks a lot of Niko. My father told me that often enough. He deserves time alone with him. Besides, I needed some extra time to organize my thoughts. I’ve known Antonio since I was small. Yet, none of our meetings have been like this. This will be a definite shift in our relationship. I just hope he doesn’t fight me on it. I need his approval for this to work.
As I walk into the room, Antonio is staring down at Niko. He’s carefully hiding all his emotions, but the sadness shines in his inky black eyes. The man is intimidating on his best days. When he’s mad, he’s downright terrifying. He’s younger than Niko, but he’s also more massive in both height and width and Niko isn’t exactly small. He would be intimidating for that alone, but he’s covered in ink. He has so many tattoos that they show despite the suit he’s wearing. They cover his neck, his hands, fingers, and even his face has some small ones. It’s no doubt his body is a work of art, but as a package, it screams danger.
His hair is shaved on one side, but longer on the other and this black color that is so dark it glistens. He has a beard with the same sheen. It’s neatly trimmed—although freer than Niko’s.At least it was.I need to clean Niko and shave him. I won’t let the nurses. It should be my job. He wouldn’t want anyone to see him weak—even medical professionals that are trying to save his life.
I turn my attention back to Antonio who is now staring at me. He walks to me, sadness on his face. When he gets in front of me, he leans down and kisses my cheek. His size is so intimidating that even though I know he would never hurt me, it’s a struggle to remain still.
“Emilia, I’m so sorry about your father. Maxwell was very important to me.”
“Do you have any idea who did this?” I ask. The question just pops out the minute his eyes meet mine. I didn’t mean to ask it right way, but I couldn’t stop myself. I also don’t regret it. I need to get this ball rolling. I need answers and something to focus on. There’s just too much anger inside of me.
“No,” Antonio admits, gritting his teeth. I can tell that bothers him as much as it does me.
