Page 141 of Bloom: Part 2

“I don’t care. We can—”

“No, I won’t risk your life. You mean too much to me.”

“What do you think will happen if they kill you?” I cried, tears streaming down my face. I climbed to my knees. “I’ll die without you.”

“You will not. Do you hear me, Bloom?” Logan crouched so we were at eye level and cupped my face. “You’re strong enough to live without me.”

I shook my head. “I’m not. Logan, please, I’m not.”

“You are. Do you know what loving someone is, Bloom? It’s making sacrifices when it matters to protect the one you care about. I’d die for you a thousand times and never regret it.”

“No, Logan, please—”

He brushed his thumb over my bottom lip. “I know what you’re thinking, but you can’t do it. You can’t—must not—take your own life after I’m gone. I forbid it.”

“What am I supposed to do without you?” I was sobbing so hard I could hardly see his face.

“You’re going to fall in love again—”

“Never!”

“Youaregoing to fall in love again, Bloom, with someone who cherishes you and takes care of you, someone who understands how special you are. You will be happy and healthy. But don’t forget me.” He kissed my nose. “Now and then, say a prayer at my altar so I know you’re thinking of me. And I hope to God there’s another lifetime so I can find you again. I wouldn’t resist you so much as I did in the beginning but love you for whatever time we have. Now promise me.”

“N-n-no. I can’t. I don’t want to live without you. Wherever you go, I’ll follow…even in death. I’ll follow you, Logan.”

“Bloom!” He took me by the shoulders and shook me. “I’m nothing special. You’ll find someone better who adores you.”

“As touching as this is, we don’t have all night,” his uncle said. “Bishop, drag the boy to the car and lock him in the trunk.”

I shrank back at the same time Bishop moved to stand in front of the older man. “You can’t be serious. Are we really letting him go?”

“I gave my word,” his uncle said.

“Who gives a fuck? You have to kill them both!”

“A gentleman doesn’t go back on his word, Bish,” his uncle said. “It’s the way of our world, or we’d have chaos.”

Logan stroked my head and gave me a smile. “You don’t have to worry. The Agosti family is vile, but they live up to the promises they make. He won’t harm you.”

“He’s right. We have no interest in you, Bloom. We came here solely for Logan, and your freedom is his price.”

I laughed, the sound bubbling to a shrill, hysterical pitch that seemed to go on forever. I took in a gasping breath, my sides hurting from the force of my laughter. Tears blurred my eyes until every face was distorted.

“Is he insane?” Bishop asked.

“What’s insane is thinking you can kill Logan and set me free,” I whispered.

“Bloom, stop talking.” Logan squeezed my shoulders.

I shrugged off his touch, glaring at his uncle. “If you let me walk out of here alive and you kill Logan, I will find you.”

“Bloom!”

“I will hunt you down like a dog. I will nail you to a fucking tree and pick the skin clean from your bones. I will find you, and I will make you pay. You touch him, and you die a horrible death. No one—no one—knows the darkness of my mind, but I promise you, I’ll ensure you know and that the entire Agosti family never forgets.”

“Impressive.” His uncle walked around me. “I actually believe him. To find a man with such loyalty and courage. I almost want to keep him.”

“No, we had a deal!” Logan cried. “You let him go to be with his family.”

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