Page 21 of Lines Drawn
“He does. He’s reckless, arrogant, and impulsive. But when he falls, he falls hard. The fact he fell for you so quickly means he saw something in you worth keeping.”
“I won’t break his heart, Cristian. I’d rather kill myself than hurt him.”
Setting a hand on his chest, I enjoy the racing of his heart. “You should have at least talked to Carter about this. He was here, even if I wasn’t.”
He grimaces. “You’ve met the Family. We don’t exactly take much stock in blood relations.”
I smile a little. “But Roman does. And he’ll disagree with me, but he was raised right. Think about it this way: How would you feel if it wasyourchild?”
A flash of what can only be regret and understanding crosses Ignacio’s face, before it smoothes out once more.
“I’m here now, talking to you. Promising to do whatever he needs me to in order to keep him.”
“Even marry him?” I ask quietly. “He’ll need either a child or a husband, sooner than later. I chose the heir route because Iwasn’t ready for marriage. Roman? He’s the type you marry first before you give him children.”
Ignacio swallows. “That’s not my decision… Il Padrone is already disappointed that I went against the grace he gave me with Benjamin.”
“If you truly loved my son, you’d figure it out.”
“I do! But you and I both know Il Padrone’s word is law. Roman…he has to understand that, too.”
“He understands respect, and Family loyalty. He also understands what it means to be loved unconditionally. So, if he asks it of you, if Hollis chooses you above Jude…you better hope you can explain without breaking his heart.”
“I’ll do my best. Il Padrone…he’s hard to move once he’s made up his mind.”
I smile a little, knowing he’s not wrong, but…I refuse to let him off the hook for this. He wants to be with Roman? He must accept all that comes with it.
Fisting his shirt, I yank him closer, brushing my lips against his. His guard doesn’t relax—and I wouldn’t respect him if it did—but it does make it easier to pull my knife and stab him, sinking it in just below his kidney. Pulling back a miniscule amount, I whisper, “I am not Il Padrone. I’m far worse—I’m a father.”
Looking into his dark eyes as I slide the knife out, I say, “If you survive, maybe I’ll plead your case with Il Padrone…”
Stabbing him again, I yank the knife sideways, slicing him open along his side toward his stomach, gutting him open like a fish.
Ignacio gasps for breath, and I watch his face as I lower him to the ground, uncaring that his blood is getting everywhere. This won’t kill him, at least not instantly. There’s hope if the medical team can get to him in time…
As his eyes close and his blood soaks into the mats beneath my feet, I sigh and pull out my phone. As soon as the call is picked up, I say, “Come to the gym. Hurry, it’s an emergency.”
Doc curses, even as he drops the call. Hoping Roman and Allesandro forgive me for almost killing Chaos, I shrug out of my jacket and use it to staunch the bleeding.
I am way too soft sometimes…
Istumble into my office, my hands shaking as the weight of everything presses against me. Reality has suddenly become the most terrifying nightmare of all… And yet, what can I do? What the fuck can I do?
Fuck!I close my eyes, pressing my palms against them. I can’t unsee my Boy drenched in blood, gasping for air. He’s always so steady, and now?What the fuck do I do?
Doc better be as good as he swears he is, because if Chaos dies… No. I can’t go there. I won’t allow it. He can’t die.Not him…
I yank at my hair, my mind spinning out of control.
The race to the gym, feet slapping across the hallways. Getting there to see the blood pooled around Ignacio’s broken body. I had to fight against my instincts when Doc took over. All I wanted was to hold my Boy…
I whirled around, stalking toward my Sweetheart, demanding why. His eyes… those tortured eyes. My heart broke at his two-word answer. “My son.”
I tried for more, but Cristian closed in on himself. Unwilling to talk. Finally, throwing up my hands, I stalked out.
Washing the blood from my skin and staring at the mirror…
Everything has changed.
