Page 28 of Sweet Union
“And I have. I’ve brought you to your parents.” And speaking of her parents, they walk away to give us some space to talk. “You’re safe here. Much more than if you were at our house. Your dad will never let anything bad happen to you. We might not agree on much, but that’s something we can absolutely agree on. I’m not choosing Romeo over your safety. I’m doing this so you’re safe.”
“No. No.” She’s shaking her head so fast that her hair fans across her face. “No, Luca. No. If you walk out that door right now, you’re choosing your vendetta against Romeo over me. Just stay with me until I’ve healed and then go after Romeo. Can you do that for me? Please?” She whispers her plea, and almost all my resolve breaks.
But I stay strong. “I have to go, Nat. I’m going to kill Romeo. I’m doing this for your safety.” I kiss the top of her head before walking out of the living room.
“Luca! Luca!”
I have to push the pain in my heart away to do what I need to do.
Alek follows me. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I can’t just sit here waiting for Romeo to plan another attack.”
“I understand. I’ll make sure she’s ok. And I’ll have my men out looking for him in case he shows up. I’ll give you a call if I learn anything.”
“Thank you.” I turn toward the door and then stop and look back at Alek. “I know you haven’t always liked me. But you’re not so bad as a father-in-law.”
Alek’s eyes soften for a second before re-hardening into his cold gaze. “You’re still a shitty son-in-law. But I hope for Nat’s sake, you come back alive.”
“I plan to. Romeo will die. I’m sure of it.” I open the door and step out into the night, even though everything inside me is screaming to stay by Nat’s side.
But I push that away and keep walking as Alek shuts the door behind me.
CHAPTER14
Natalya
“I’m not staying here,” I tell my parents as I struggle to get up.
“Honey, you can barely move,” Mom says. “Sit back down.”
“No.” I force myself to stand. “Luca is going after Romeo, and I can’t just sit back and watch him get hurt. I’m going after him. We’re stronger together.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” Dad tells me. “You’re going to lie back down and get some rest.”
“Dad, don’t tell me what to do. That didn’t work before, and won’t work now.” I start shuffling toward the front door. Every step I take sends a jab of pain through my side.
“This is ridiculous,” Dad growls, following behind me. “If you’re going after Luca, at least let me take you to him. Let me help keep you safe.”
“Listen to him, honey. Please.”
I sigh and stop walking. “Ok, fine. You can take me to Luca.”
Dad helps me out to his car before we set off the find Luca. “He’s only a few minutes ahead of us. Do you know what you’re going to tell him when we get there?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, he’s not going to be happy that you went against his orders. He wanted you to stay safe, and now, you’re entering the lion’s den. Being out here is dangerous. Who knows when Romeo could attack again?”
“I’m going to tell him that I love him. But I can’t sit back while he goes off in search of Luca. We’re meant to be together. We’re going to do this together.”
“There’s no way I can stop you, is there?”
“Nope. And thank you for taking me to him. I know we’ve been through a lot this past year, but I’m grateful to you, Dad. You’ve helped me out a lot.”
“Ever since you met Luca, you’ve gone through a lot. Going to jail. Getting kidnapped. On the run from some psycho. Getting shot. I always said getting involved with Luca would put you in danger.”
“I know, and you’re right. It has. But I also have love in my life. A love that is so powerful, I can’t imagine my life without it. A life without Luca would be … unbearable.”
