Page 17 of The Beast

His arm is slung around Charlotte’s shoulders and for a second we just stare at the scene inside the room.

“Where is he?” I growl and Ivan snaps, “Heading on vacation to Italy.”

Charlotte gasps, “Is he alive?”

Ivan laughs darkly. “Some might say he’s hovering between life and death.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I growl and Ivan places a comforting arm on my back and says softly, “It means he’s no longer a threat, my friend. We’ll keep him alive until the boss says otherwise.”

Charlotte’s voice shakes. “Will I have to see him again?”

“No.” Ivan’s response is firm, and she exhales sharply. “Good. Once was enough.”

I say under my breath, “And Massimo’s men?”

“You meanmymen.”

My heart sags with relief. “So, the plan worked.”

Ivan nods. “You are now looking at Don Volkov. I have my army, now I just need a fortress.”

He turns to Charlotte. “It’s time to go house hunting, malyshka.”

“What do you mean?” Her eyes are wide as he whispers, “Your father’s business is now mine. What’s left of it, anyway.”

“Since when?”

“Since Alessandro’s grandfather made the deal. We rid the world of the bastard and they switch their loyalty to me. I am currently without my own Bratva, so it makes perfect sense to remain here and take everything Massimo owns. The fact we torched all his assets is a minor problem, but we’ll find new premises, a new home, and make it work.”

He says in a low voice, “Flynn reported back that the operation was a success. Pedro Carlos and his men moved in and wiped out his South American operation, and the Romanos dealt with any Florida business. The Morettis took Chicago and Flynn took care of the mid-west and Angelo dealt with the Californian business.”

“So, there’s nothing left.”

I think about the scale of the operation that involved many alliances with rival families and I can’t believe we did it. However, none of it means shit all the time the woman responsible for the attack hovers between life and death.

Angelo heads outside and nods. “Your turn.”

I don’t even wait to hear what he says because I’m taking his place before the door even closes.

The room is silent save for the machines wired up to the woman I love, keeping her alive until she wakes up and comes back to me.

As I approach the bed, I’ve never experienced such agony because there is absolutely nothing I can do to help her.

She looks so small, so pale, and so lifeless. The machine breathes for her and the purple bruises covering her face and neck are the only color on her skin.

As I take the seat Angelo just vacated, I reach for her hand, and it’s so small and soft in mine. My chest tightens as I struggle to breathe because there is so much I want to say to the woman I love and grieved for over the past two years.

“Winter baby, it’s Alessandro.”

If I thought that would change anything, I’m a fool because there is no reaction at all. I lean closer and press my lips to hers and it’s like a homecoming. How I’ve ached to feel those lips on mine and imagined her in my arms. Not like this though, never like this and it’s the purest agony knowing there is nothing I can do to help her.

As I hold her hand, I hope she can hear me when I whisper, “I waited for you, baby. There has never been anyone but you. Always you. The night we shared is my happiest and sweetest memory. When you were taken, I died a little that day. Since then, I’ve thought of nothing else but bringing you back to me. I love you, Winter Sontauro, and I’ve never stopped. If anything, the love grew into the beast inside me. Stronger, angrier, and more passionate. It’s only ever been you and always will be, so come back to me, Winter, and let me prove it for the rest of our lives.”

My reply is the noise from the machine, which is the only indication she is alive at all. She sleeps like Snow White in her glass coffin. Pale white skin, ruby red lips and black shiny hair. She is my princess and always will be and there is nothing on earth that will tear me away from her side.

The door opens and Angelo says gruffly, “I need a moment.”

I experience a physical pain inside as I’m forced to drop her hand and as I swap places with her brother, I hate every step I take away from her.

---