Page 43 of The Don's Soulmate

"Please," she whispers, her green eyes pleading for understanding. "Take me home."

"Home?" I repeat the word with incredulity. “The place where they’d rather see you tortured at the hands of a madman than be happy?”

The sound of thunder is followed by a flash of lightening, sending beaming light through the car. Within seconds, rain pours down, the droplets cascading over the windows of the car.

“Please, Ettore, I appreciate your helping me, I really do, but we must face reality. Our families are sworn enemies. Your involvement in my…situation…it will just cause more conflict. It already has!”

"Damn it, Carlotta!" I growl, my anger flaring as I refuse to accept her resignation. “You can’t go back there.”

“Come with me. I’ll put you up in a hotel somewhere safe. I can drop you off at a friend’s,” I offer her a lifeline. “Our encounter tonight can be put behind us as a fond memory, if you don’t want it to mean more. But I cannot, in good conscience, send you back to your doom.”

“Ihaveto go back,” she screams at me.

“Have to?” my voice is ice-cold.

“This is about more than just the wedding!"

"Never," I spit out through gritted teeth, the word tasting like poison on my tongue. She holds back a sob.

“Tell me what this is about!” I bellow.

“I…” her voice falters. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me!” I challenge.

"Please," she repeats, a desperate plea etched on her beautiful face. “My life…my career, my future, everything I’ve worked towards…You have. To stay. Away from me.” I glance at Carlotta, her body trembles, overwhelmed by emotion.

I hang my head, feeling defeated. I am destined to fail at protecting the women in my visions. I shiver involuntarily. Ugo Caputowillbe the death of her one day. Desperately I search within myself for the next move. With the sound of the rain drumming on the car roof, Elma’s words come to me:Death is a part of life. Live in these nightmares, brave them…only that way can you discover its secret.

Filled with a new resolve, I lift my head. "Get out," I say coldly, my voice devoid of any emotion. "If you want to meet your end, Carlotta, it seems I cannot stop you, but don’t expect me to help you to get there sooner."

Her green eyes widen in disbelief, and I can see the hurt and confusion etched on her face. But I refuse to relent, this might be the only way to make her see reason.

"Wh-what?" her voice quivers.

"Get out!" I bellow, slamming my fist against the steering wheel, causing her to jump in her seat. She hesitates for a moment, clearly torn.

"Please, Ettore, we don’t have to part like this," she pleads, tears now freely streaming down her face. But I remain stone-faced,unwilling to show her any kindness, lest she tries to convince me to take her back to her prison.

“Come away with me and let me set you up, or get out,” I growl, my gaze never leaving her face. Slowly, she opens the car door, stepping out onto the rain-soaked road. Her abandoned appearance pierces through me like a shard of ice, yet I force myself to ignore the pain that threatens to consume me.

I never thought she’d makethatchoice.

As I drive away, I can see her standing there, vulnerable and exposed, the rain pelting her delicate frame, hugging her dress to those curves I worshipped just moments ago.

My grip on the steering wheel tightens, knuckles turning white as I fight the urge to turn back and take her into my arms.

"Forgive me, Carlotta," I whisper into the empty car, my voice cracking under the weight of my guilt as I leave her behind, knowing that this may very well be the last time I ever see her face.

But, I had to do this for her. I could never live with myself by letting her thinkhome, back to Ugo,was the right choice.

Chapter 19

Carlotta

My heart races as I stumble into the shadows on the side of the road, my breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps. What just happened? I lean against a tree for support, trembling from head to toe.

Ettore.

---