Page 89 of Stolen Seconds

“Because you were the only pure thing in my life, and I’d rather have kept it all inside than corrupt you with my burdens. Because I had someone to call my own.” My voice wavered with nerves. “I didn’t want you to leave me.”

The silence was comfortable and welcome as I submitted to the truth. The heaviness I carried for all theseyears eased up and I felt like I could breathe properly for the first time.

“I never meant for anyone to get hurt.” The situation became messier than I intended it to, and I knew that it would be worse once I contacted my father. “I’m sorry.”

My best friend reached over and grasped my hand, squeezing it in comfort. “I wish I’d been your person, the same way you were mine. Perhaps, one day you’ll give me the chance to know you completely as you are.” She shook her head in amusement, lightening the stifling air. “Flawed and all.”

Laughter bubbled in my chest, and I peered over at the brute lying beside me to make sure I hadn’t woken him up.

“If it’s not love, then it must be something close to it,” Aurora said as I stared at him. Butterflies took flight in my stomach at the thought of Luca carrying intense affection for me. “The question is, what do you feel?”

The words slipped from my lips with ease. “Something I’ve never felt before.”

Chapter 24

Luca

Something I’ve never felt before.

Irina’s words were cemented into my brain since I heard them last night.

The dynamic between us was built on a thin line of denial and lies, and if she knew that I heard her admission, she would’ve done everything in her power to prove otherwise.

Because it was in Irina’s nature to push others away, even if it meant they’d hate her. She had a seed full of misery in her and I was determined to rip it out.

Patience was never my thing, but I was in it for the long haul for this girl.

And now that I knew Irina had grown a liking to me, I’d make sure it became as fervent as the feelings I carried for her.

My lips twitched in amusement. I knew my little rebel would come around.

If it weren’t for the circumstances we’d all foundourselves in, I would’ve relished in it more but there were too many questions and not enough answers.

“We’re taking him home today.” Roman came to stand beside me, his attention resting on Nico’s unconscious body.

I had already known that piece of information, only because I’d asked the nurse when Irina would be discharged.

“How long do they think he’ll be in a coma for?”

The thought of the little shit never waking up again and berating us on our informal speech gutted me.

If he didn’t wake up, it would wreck Irina, and I didn’t think she’d recover from that.

Wake up, Nico. Just wake up.

“Doctor said only time will tell,” Roman answered, his voice low and detached.

I faced him, assessing his disheveled appearance; overgrown beard, bloodshot eyes, and the same clothes he’d been in since the morning we’d brought them into the hospital.

That was three days ago.

“Have you slept yet?”

When he ignored me and proceeded to stare through the clear glass as if that would miraculously wake Nico up, I grabbed ahold of his shoulder.

“Roman, you need to sleep. You’re no good for anyone like this. Not Aurora, not Nico and definitely not the little one who’s coming any-day now.”

When he tilted his head to hold my gaze, a flash of hurt but most of all betrayal lined his features. “You knowwho isn’t good foranyone? The one who put us in this fucking predicament in the first place.”

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