Page 47 of High Stakes and Soulmates
“Why?” I ask. “What’s going on here?”
He gives me a smile, like he thinks his forced smile can trick me. “Nothing. Nothing to be concerned about, but you need to go. Please go. Please.”
I can hear the pain in his voice, and it stirs something inside of me. Something I’ve never felt before. Slowly, I walk up to him, and I lower my lips until they’re close to his ear. “I can kill him.”
Arturo grabs my head in his hand and the look on his face shows absolute devastation. “No… you can’t. He is a monster beyond your wildest imagination. Beyond your fears. It doesn’t matter how good of a fighter you are; you would not be good enough. He’s something beyond whatever hell you can think up. Please believe me. Knowing you’re in the army, he’ll stay his hand. He won’t be so reckless. So please, be careful.”
“Did he hurt you?” I ask. “Was he the one who did this?”
“I caused this.” His fingers tighten on my cheek. “Have I ever asked anything from you?”
“No.”
“So I beg you. Please, protect yourself from him. Do not fuck up or he’ll tear us apart. Maybe I can see you tomorrow, but you’re not safe here.”
“Neither are you.”
“I’ve lived over twenty years here. I’m safe enough,” he says as he kisses me. “I love you, and if you love me, you’ll leave.” He picks up a book and hands it to me. “Here is the book you wanted.”
“I didn’t?—”
“Did you already forget? I suppose it has been weeks already,” he says, and his tone tells me to take the book and leave as he asked. “It was good seeing you. Have a wonderful night.”
Arturo kisses me again and I feel like it’s not enough. It’s not enough to just turn from him when he’s hurt, when he plainly needs help. But I’m pushed out the door that shuts behind me.
I hold the book to my chest and my bag in my hand. Just because he fears the man doesn’t mean I have to. Arturo knowsI’m in the army, but does he know the lengths I’ve gone? Can this aristocratic asshole really be something to fear that someone like me couldn’t kill?
I slide my hand into my bag, feeling the smooth handle of my knife as I reach the large foyer where I find that Louis is still standing. And despite knowing that all I need to do is simply stab him between the ribs when I walk by him, I remember that chill I’d felt as he’d come out of the darkness and over to our tree. I drop my hold on the knife and sling the bag onto my shoulder.
“Well, that didn’t take long,” he comments.
“I didn’t want to bother him in the state he’s in, but I got the book he promised to let me borrow. I really appreciate you letting me see him.”
“Of course,” he says with a smile. “I hope you enjoy your book. Feel free to come back when you’ve finished that one. The door is always open.”
“Thank you,” I respond, knowing there’s a reason why it’s “open” to me and that very reason terrifies Arturo.
“My driver will take you home.”
Louis waves me to the carriage that awaits and I get in, alone this time. It’s dark, so I wait until I’m back in my room to open the book to see that there are multiple letters tucked into it.
To my treasure,
You’ve only been gone a day, but I feel like it’s been weeks. How have you made me so sappy? I’m confident that I am a strong man who can make it more than a day without seeing you. I guess I just didn’t realize how repetitive my life had become. You offer me a life I never expected I’d have. And even though I know this is just temporary, I can’t help but let myself get swept up into this. You’regoing to read this and think, “Does he realize I haven’t even been gone a day at this point?” Don’t laugh at me. I’m already laughing at myself. I hope that even after you move from this place, we can write each other every day. And then someday, you’ll come back here. I want to make a home for you. A life together. I’ve always been a realist. I’m well aware a life together isn’t as easy as it sounds, but a man can dream. And right now, you’re my dream. I just hope I don’t have to wake up.
All of my love,
Arturo
He must have written me a letter every single day, and I cherish every single one of them.
And I make myself a vow that I’ll get him out of that hell if it’s the last thing I do.
CHAPTER TWELVE
CYRUS
Present
