Page 73 of Heartless Union

“Wow. Actual kind words from my big brother. Who knew you were capable of that?”

I look at Lara again. “I’ve changed. I’ll send you an address where to meet.” I hang up.

“He’s dead, isn’t he?” Lara asks, startling me.

I sigh and touch her back. “He is. I’m so sorry.”

She wrenches away from me. It hurts, but I understand. When I lost my mother, I didn’t want anyone to comfort me. “I wasn’t there when he died,” she whispers. “I should have been there.” She looks at me over her shoulder. “I want to see his body.”

“Lara …”

“No.” She sits up. “Don’t tell me I can’t see him. He’s dead, Rocco.”

“I know. But Carlo could be watching the clinic right now. We can’t risk you going over there. The moment I deal with Carlo, you can see your dad. I told Massimo to tell the doctor to look over your dad’s body. You can see him once this is done.”

“When will it be done?” she snaps. “Because it’s been going on for a while now. I was kidnapped by Carlo. I almost died because of him. When will this be over?”

“I don’t know.”

She scoffs. “You don’t know. My father had me marry you because he thought you could keep me safe after he died. But he’s dead now, and I’m not any closer to being safe. It’s because of you. I hate you,” she hisses.

I flinch. “You’re just upset right now.”

“Don’t tell me how to feel. Stop bossing me around!” She gets up and begins pacing the room. “All you do is boss me around. All you do is tell me what I can and can’t do. You wanted a submissive wife, but I can’t be that any longer. I can’t keep pushing aside what I want to make you happy. I’m going to see my father’s body. And you can’t stop me.”

She heads for the door.

I hate myself for this, but I have to stop her.

It only takes me three strides to reach the door and prevent her from leaving. “For your safety, Lara, you’re not going anywhere.”

She shoves her hands against my chest. “I hate you. I hate you!”

Every time she says it, it’s like a dagger to my heart. I never knew I could feel heartbroken. I never let myself feel enough to know what that’s like.

And to be honest, it’s the worst fucking thing I’ve ever felt in my entire life.

“Your dad wanted me to keep you safe, and that’s what I’m doing. He wouldn’t want you to die going to see him.” I grab her arms and shake her gently. “Think, Lara. Is that what your dad would want?”

“You don’t know,” she says and suddenly, tears are streaming down her face. “You don’t know what my dad would want.”

“But you do. And tell me … would he want you to get hurt just to see him? Because you can’t leave my side right now, Lara. I can’t risk Carlo finding you again and getting hurt. Or worse. You said you didn’t want me to die. Well, I don’t want you to die either.”

“It doesn’t even matter anymore,” she sobs. “My dad is dead.”

“I know,” I say in a gentler tone. “I know. But he would want you to live for him. Tell me that’s true.”

She sobs quietly for a moment before nodding.

“Ok. So, live, Lara. And stay by my side. We’ll make it through this. I promise you. I’ll make sure you’re ok. I’ll protect you just like your father wanted.” Slowly, I pull her into my arms.

Lara doesn’t fight me. Instead, she does the opposite. She holds onto me and cries. Her sobs are gut-wrenching. There’s so much pain in them, it’s almost unfathomable.

When my dad died, I felt elated.

But for Lara, this is one of the worst days of her life.

And all I can do is be there for her in any way I can. Even though it’s outside my comfort zone. Even if I’ve never had to be there for anyone like this before.

---