Page 124 of Broken Deal

My heart aches. Not for Lorenzo, the man standing before me, but for the boy he used to be—the one who was raised in a cold, ruthless world. The one who never knew a mother’s love and had a father who only cared about one thing. It must have been lonely, and when you don’t know what is like outside of that, it’s easy to create a wall so tall, believing it’s there to protect you, when instead it just makes you more lonely.

“In a messed-up way,” he continues, his voice softer now, “I convinced myself you wrote that article because I needed a reason to push you away. I thought you were settling by being with me. You’re strong, Sophia. You’re fierce and capable, and you deserve someone who can take care of you, someone you can rely on.” His breath catches, voice trembling slightly. “You are, without question, the most incredible person I’ve ever met. You deserve the world, and no words could ever fully explain just how much.”

His words tighten something in my chest. I know he means every one of them, and that’s what makes it so hard.

“Lorenzo,” I say, struggling to keep my voice steady. “You broke my heart.”

“I know.” He steps closer, gently taking my hand in his. “And I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you.” His back straightens as he squares his shoulders, determination in his eyes. “I quit Vortex four weeks ago.”

My eyes widen in surprise.

“And I took care of Max. I know you’re going to say it wasn’t my place, but it was. My job is to protect you, to take care of you. What he did was wrong. I have no regrets.”

My breath catches slightly. I’m at a loss for words, my head spinning too fast as I try my best to catch up.

After a beat of silence, his voice lowers. “You asked me once if I’d ever been in love. Ask me again.”

“Lorenzo—”

“Ask me again,” he insists, his gaze never leaving mine.

I sigh, my shoulders slumping as I give in. “Have you ever been in love?”

His hand cups my cheek, thumb brushing lightly across my skin as he leans in, eyes full of emotion. “Yes,” he whispers. “I see everything so clearly now. A part of me knew since the day you walked into my life that this was the only possible outcome. I’m in love with you, Sophia Annette Evans. I just didn’t know how to see it or how to handle it. I didn’t know how to let myself have something real. But there was never any question—my heart has always belonged to you.”

The walls I’ve tried to build around my heart these past two months start to crumble at his confession, each word breaking through my defenses.

He absently licks his lips, his gaze never leaving mine. “I want to be the person you’ve always dreamed of. Build a life with you. Grow old together. I want it all—the kids, the house with the white picket fence, family dinners on Sundays.” He takes a shaky breath. “I want the kind of normal that only exists with you.”

He looks down for a moment, shaking his head before meeting my gaze again, his voice breaking, heavy with vulnerability. “You once said the idea of someone taking care of you felt strange, but that’s where you’re wrong. Because I’m here, Blue. I’m right here, with my heart and arms open, ready to take care of you.” He pauses for a moment. “Just…please, stay. Don’t walk away from me.”

“I can’t believe you remembered that,” I say, my breath catching.

“I remember everything. Making you happy—that’s my job.” He smiles. “So, what do you say?”

“That’s a lot of promises, Ace.”

He gives me a small, knowing smirk. “Not promises. Guarantees,” he replies confidently.

“I want to believe you, Lorenzo. I really do.” I pause, my eyes flicking away as I press my lips together. “But words...they’re just words.”

“What if I show you instead?”

I let out a small, skeptical laugh. “How do you plan on doing that?”

“Do you trust me?”

Strangely, despite everything…I do. Deep down, I always have. I simply nod, and without another word, he grabs my hand.

“Where are we going?”

He looks at me with a knowing smile. “Back where you belong.”

The flight back to Chicago was quicker than I expected, but not quick enough to calm the storm brewing inside me. I asked Lorenzo a million questions, each one met with an amused smile and a gentle, “You’ll see,” until I finally gave up. Now, as we drive through the quiet streets, my nerves start to unravel.

This was such a bad idea. What was I thinking?

The car slows to a stop, and Lorenzo steps out without a word. He walks around to my side, opening the door with that same knowing look in his eyes. I take a deep breath and step out, my feet hitting the pavement, and when I finally look up, my breath catches in my throat.

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