Page 65 of Light It Up Red
“You’re an idiot. Also, my dad is right there,” I whisper.
“He likes me.”
“No, he doesn’t. He doesn’t like anyone whose name doesn’t end with Valentino.” I laugh.
“When we get married, you’ll be an O’Neil. Bet he’ll still love you then.”
I stare at him. When we get married? I just told the man I can’t be with him, that I need space, and he’s talking about getting married.
“Doc’s on the way,” Enzo says.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
Dad walks in with a first aid kit a few seconds later. “Liliana, go and get a wet towel.”
I push to my feet and rush to the bathroom, running water over a towel before wringing it out. I watch in horror as red bleeds through the white of the fabric. There’s blood on everything I touch. I need to remember that I’ve caused this. That Travis’s blood is literally on my hands.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ihaven’t taken my eyes off Lili. I don’t know what she’s thinking. Actually, I do. She’s pulling away. I can feel it. And I need to figure out how to fucking stop her.
The doctor finishes applying new dressings and leaves the room. “You should be in bed,” Lili says. “This wouldn’t have happened if you had just stayed in the hospital.”
“And I would have stayed in the hospital, if my girlfriend were there with me,” I tell her. Her father chuckles from where he’s propped up by the door.
Lili glances in his direction before refocusing on me. “Where are your parents?”
“At our house.”
She flinches. It’s slight but I caught it.
“I’m sure they’d love to see you if you want to come home with me.”
“Travis… I… I can’t.” Lili looks at me with so much sadness and despair in her eyes. I want to take it all away. I want those eyes to shine with nothing but happiness again. It fucking hurts seeing her like this.
“Don’t do this,” I plead with her. My hand shoots out to grip hers. I’m terrified of letting it go.
“I have to. Just… I’ll get someone to take you home. I’ll call you once I’m back in New York.” Lili removes her hand from mine, and I feel like my whole world is slipping through my fingers.
I’m racking my mind, trying to figure out what to say, what could possibly break through her doubt right now, when she turns and walks out of the room.
Her father takes a step forward. “She just needs time,” he says.
I blink at him. This man has wanted his daughter to leave my ass since the moment he met me. To the point he’s put a gun to my head, attempting to scare me off more than once.
“How much time? Because I can’t fathom a world without her.” I know I’m spilling my guts to someone who couldn’t give a fuck, but I’m at a loss as to what to do here.
“I’ve sent some guys over to your place. I’m increasing your security, and they’re will be at least ten men on the grounds around the clock until I find the asshole who shot you.”
“Why?” Truth is, I’m confused as to why her father would help me do anything.
“Because, despite what she says right now, my daughter loves you and I love her.” He shrugs.
“I don’t understand. If it wasn’t your doing, who the fuck else would want to shoot me because of her?”
“I have no idea, but I’m going to fucking find out,” he grunts, his teeth clenched and his jaw tight. “Until then, you both need to keep your heads low.”
“I don’t know how to go home without her,” I admit.
