Page 40 of Kiss of Ruin (Brutal Empire)

We can run the Romero family together. The perfect pair. Each of us using or strengths to bring an end to the war and rule the Northeast.

My eyes are heavy, but I don’t want to sleep yet. Holding her close to my heart, a place no other woman has had the chance to be, is all I want to do. There’s a feeling in the pit of my stomach that if I let her go, she’ll disappear like smoke through my fingers. The same way she’s disappeared from my life more than once since I met her. I refuse to let that happen again.

The hair on the back of my neck rises. I know something doesn’t feel right. I can’t put my finger on what it is. I tug Scarlett closer to me and hold her waist tight.

“I love you,” I whisper into her hair.

She melts farther into my embrace. “I love you, too,” she says in a sleepy whisper.

I fight sleep, but eventually my eyelids grow too heavy and I lose the battle falling into a deep slumber.

ChapterSeventeen

Scarlett

Standing by the side of the bed, I watch Nico sleep. He’s been restless ever since I climbed from the bed. Leaving him is harder than I imagined, knowing that I may not be able to come back to him.

I only have ten minutes before Carlos and Andreas arrive to pick me up. Heart aching, I pick up my bag and leave the room, closing the door as quietly as I can. I walk quickly through my wing of the house. The other rooms being on the second floor will make getting out the house without being caught even easier.

Lights shine through the front windows when I reach the foyer. I disable the alarm and step out the front door.

Carlos’ driver is waiting with the back door open. I climb into the car where Carlos is waiting.

“No Andreas?”

“He’s already at the airport waiting for us.”

“I’m impressed you were able to leave him.”

I set my bag on the floor. “If it means everyone is safe, I’ll do whatever I can.”

“Let’s hope so.” Carlos signals the driver to go. I watch as he opens the phone, resetting the house security and opening the gate.

By the time Nico realizes I’m gone, I’ll already be in New York with the jet. Carlos and I don’t speak as we fly down the highway to the airport, eventually turning in the direction of the private hangers.

We make the final turn and I see the plane sitting on the runway, ready for takeoff. The door opens and I climb out of the car, followed by Carlos. His driver takes my bag and follows up the steps of the plane.

The last time I took this plane to Miami, I was alone, scared, and sick for what might happen in the future. Now, walking up the steps on my own, I feel scared, but strong at the same time. If I can pull this off, my future with Nico looks bright. I won’t be head of the family anymore. Not that I ever needed it. All I want is Nico by my side.

Andreas is already seated on the couch with a drink in hand. “This best work out the way you say it will.”

“It will,” I said taking the seat in the same chair I rode to Miami in. This time I rotate the chair to face the two of them. I will not let them intimidate me. “I’ve done enough research to know that without Elena the DeLuca family falls apart. Lorenzo might be the face of the family, but he’s definitely not the brains.”

Andreas raises his glass to me. “This is more what we expected of you before you married Luis.”

“Well since we all know what a sham that entire marriage was, I might as well embrace who I’m supposed to be.”

Carlos reaches for the button for the intercom. “We’re all aboard and ready to take off.”

“Yes, sir.”

The plane begins to taxi forward, taking a few turns. A voice comes over the intercom. “Sir, we’ve been given the all clear to takeoff. Please make sure you’re seated and buckled in please.”

Both men lock in their belts as the plane lurches forward and we pick up speed until the nose of the plane finally lifts into the sky.Please forgive me, Nico.

The flight is a little over three hours by the time we land in New York. I take the steps down, breathing in the New York air. Everything is different here than Miami. Even in the middle of the night Miami is bright and vibrant.

New York is dark. Dark and dreary. I don’t allow myself to dwell on it too much when a black car pulls up next to the plane ready to pick us up. The driver gets our things loaded into the car and we’re on our way.

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