Page 32 of The Last Call
All of my fury from his earlier behavior dissolves from his anguish. Offering such intimate details I never expected. Making me wonder if he’s ever told the story of his family to anyone. Or worse, if he’s ever even had anyone to share his grief with.
“Mom and Joslyn had the same heart condition so I think it scared her for herself as well as for Mom.”
He takes a deep breath almost as if buoying himself to keep going, but it’s me who feels like I can’t breathe. All of the oxygen always instantly evaporates from the room when he’s in it. Especially more suffocating tonight when his sorrow fills the air.
“When Mom became unresponsive that night Joslyn chased after me. But they weren’t expecting her, and the stupid fucking guard gunned her down when she stepped out of the car. Damn motherfucker didn’t even wait to see what she wanted. A twenty-year-old girl who could barely walk let alone handle a weapon shot point blank in cold blood just for trying to find her brother to tell him their mother was dying.”
I don’t even realize he’s yelling until he’s suddenly quiet. Silent rage engulfing him and sucking me into the darkness with him. My own heart breaks from the horror. The waste. The misery. Despite the ambiguity between us, I can’t stop the pity flooding my soul and slowly stand. Watching him watch me with confusion as I wrap my arms around him. Resting my head on his chest. The racing heart under my cheek proving he’s still in mourning regardless of how much time has passed.
Words seem inadequate. Insufficient to convey how sorry I am for her loss. For his. For all of theirs. So I don’t offer any. I just hold his broad body to mine until his massive arms coil around me. Comforting me in return. Hopefully, consoling himself too in the process.
I broach the other mystery I wonder about him. “What about your father? How did he handle the loss?”
His grip tightens, pinning me tight against him almost to the point of pain. Unrelenting when I squirm in his grasp while he strokes my hair. Soothing and haunting in his repetitive movements.
“I killed that lousy bastard a long time ago. He never knew anything except that I would take care of the women he wouldn’t. Until I fucked up. But I fixed that too.”
Killed. His. Father.
Oh fuck.
He finally breaks his hold when I shudder, and I step back from his embrace. Jolting from the malevolence filling his eyes. Unequivocal malice staring back at me with more ferocity than I’ve ever seen in anyone before. “You fixed it?”
A deep frown narrows his dark, bloodshot eyes while he meets my gaze. Defiant and brazen as ever despite the careening of my voice.
“That bastard destroyed my family. He needed to feel the same loss. He deserved to know what it feels like to lose everyone you love.”
I don’t fight the shivering overtaking my body from the realization of the evil he implies. I only whisper in fear of his response. Not sure if I can handle what he admits but I have to know. “What did you do?”
“I strung him up by his balls. Literally.” I don’t bother to hide the bitterness in my tone or the satisfaction in my chuckle. “Amazing what you can do with the right tensile of wire. His brothers too. His boss. All of his boss’s associates. Anyone and everyone who played a part in murdering my sister. They all paid. Long, slow glorious torture until their deaths.”
I terrify her. From my face. My laugh. My words. All of it. Which I hate. But my future wife has no reason to fear. I won’t make the same mistake with her that I made with my sister. “Don’t worry piccolo leone. I’ll never let that happen to you. My enemies will never touch you.”
Panic pulses in her slender body. Uncertain if she believes me. But very clear she realizes the danger. Also obvious that she doesn’t want to hear anymore, pushing away my hand caressing her face. My mouth near her lips. My body boxing in hers.
“Is that why?”
I must be drunker than I realize because I can’t comprehend anything beyond her apprehension. That I must eliminate at any cost. “Is what why?’
“Those men at the restaurant. And this fortress. And the guards. Everyone knows…” She swallows hard. Trying to keep going with her trembling lips. “They all know who you are and what you did. That’s why everyone is so scared of you?”
I don’t answer. I don’t have to. She already knows the answer. I’ve never tried to hide who I am or what I do. “I loved my mother and my sister. I avenged Joslyn’s death because I had to.”
My head shakes. Actually, that’s a lie. “I wanted to. I reminded everyone that the Sabatini’s won’t be fucked with. ThatIwill not be fucked with.”
“Revenge…” Trembling hands touch her mouth. Almost as if attempting to stop the words from falling out. To realize the truth that she can’t seem to bear. “Your world is violence and revenge and retaliation. You are that world.”
“I fucked up not having Joslyn watched better. She should never have been allowed to go out on her own. She never would’ve been killed if I had her guarded every second.”
I’ve never admitted the truth with anyone before. I’ve never shown any vulnerability before. I almost hate to look at her again. A few minutes ago I saw sympathy. Her small arms around me. Holding me with all her might to give me comfort. Except for my grandmother, no one has hugged me in years without wanting anything in return. Honest. Sincere. Amazing. I don’t ever want to let her go. Iwon’tever let her go.
Now all I see is doubt. Tiny lion thinks she has reason to fear. I’m happy to prove she has nothing to be frightened of. My hand waves through the air. Reminding her of where we are. Of who I am. What I built. “I have Nonna here like this and you’ll be protected the same way at home. Both of you will always be safe.”
She slowly nods. Accepting—agreeing—with my assertion. Yet hesitation clouds her beautiful face when I hold out my hand to her. Always with the independence this one. Won’t even let me be chivalrous to my fiancée. I let it slide for now since she’s had an emotional night. Plus, I have a call to make. More bullshit to deal with back in the States although I’d much rather be exerting my dominance over her in my bed than my territory to some dumb ass. I kiss her warm cheek, breathing in her sensual new perfume, and step back to let her stand up. Gallant enough not to smack her cute ass as she scurries past. “Go ahead upstairs. I’ll be there in a few minutes and we can finish our discussion.”
The speed in which she runs proves she wants more than conversation too.
Ikeep smiling.
