Page 60 of Heartless Union

“You, too. I’ll see you at the safe house.” There’s so much I have to say to her. Sorry for how I treated her and her father. Sorry for not being more open with her. But it isn’t the time.

She gives me a small smile before walking over to her dad. He puts his arm around her, and they leave the house, along with the rest of my family.

I’m on my own again. Normally, that’s what I want.

But for the first time, I feel a deep, lonely achiness in my heart.

I don’t have time to dwell on it, though, so I push it aside and focus on getting to work.

I watch Massimo drive away, then wait for a few minutes before driving in the opposite direction. It only takes a couple of minutes before I notice someone following me. They’re doing a good job of hiding it.

I’m just better.

I lead the car far away from my family. I won’t be surprised if they have a car following them right now. I just have to hope Massimo does a good job losing them. He was always a great driver. Unlike Emilio and me, he wanted to be behind the wheel of a car ever since he was seven.

I drive all over the city, keeping an eye on the car following me. If there were no hangs up, then Massimo and the rest of them should be at the safe house by now. Which means, it’s time for me to lose this car.

It takes me a couple of hard turns and running a red light to get the car off my tail.

I drive the rest of the way to the safehouse, which is a couple of hours away from New York in a small town with practically nothing to do. Dante and Carlo would have no reason to ever visit this place. If they end up finding it, then everything would be fucked up. I could lose my family.

I could lose Lara, and I’m quickly learning I don’t want to lose her again. The pain of her kidnapping the first time was almost unbearable. I don’t often feel pain, so it came as a shock to me. Lara has quietly snuck up on me.

When she told me today she cared whether I lived or died, it made me feel something I’ve never felt—the first flickers of love. She’s starting to open up to me.

Now, I have to return the favor.

I just have no fucking clue how.

When I drive up to the safehouse, I see Massimo’s car. I don’t let myself hope until I enter the house and find everyone in the living room.

“He made it!” Massimo announces, giving me a thumbs up.

“Rocco,” Lara says, standing up and stepping toward me. Her eyes flick to my family, and she looks embarrassed. Instead of running into my arms like I was hoping, she sits back down beside her dad.

My brothers share a glance. I’m sure everyone can tell how awkward that was.

“Did you have any problems getting here?” I ask.

Massimo shakes his head. “Nope. I deftly avoided the car following us. It wasn’t hard. No one knows we’re here.”

“Good. Now, we just need to come up with a plan to take down Carlo. He’s gotten to Father’s men, which means we need to find men of our own and take down every last one of those bastards who decided not to be on our side.”

“I like it,” Massimo says, rubbing his hands together.

“I do, too,” Emilio adds. “I’m ready for you to be charge. Carlo sneaking in the way he did just isn’t right.”

“I’m just glad to be a part of this conversation,” Gabriella says.

I turn to Lara. “How do you feel about all of this?”

She looks surprised. “I didn’t think you cared about my opinion.”

“I didn’t,” I admit. “But things have changed. What do you think?”

Lara meets my gaze head on, not looking afraid of me for once. “I think I want to see you in charge. Do whatever you have to. I’m just glad my dad is with me.” She shares a smile with him. “Thank you,” she tells me.

“You’re welcome. Now, we all should all get some sleep. We need to be rested for what’s to come.” I leave them there and head to my room.

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