Page 41 of Fall into Savagery

“Sweetheart, stop crying. You’re breaking my heart.”

My lips trembled. It wasn’t like I was doing this on purpose.

“P-Please,” I whispered.

His eyes widened.

I needed Damien. I needed to see him.

“Please, Uncle Roberto.”

More tears fell, and he closed his eyes.

I watched him and waited.

And when he opened his eyes, I knew I had lost.

“I can’t take you. I can’t go against my don’s order. And what’s more, I agree with them. It’s too dangerous. I’m sorry, Catalina, don’t ask me because I won’t help you.”

I closed my eyes as tears fell through my eyelids.

He wiped them away.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. You can be mad at me all you want, but your safety comes first.”

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes to look at him.

I knew it was a long shot to ask. I never thought he would say yes.

He bent down until we were eye to eye. “I’m gonna stay with you for a couple more hours as everyone gets ready, but I’m heading back to California tonight, sweetheart.”

My hand came down on his forearms. He patted my hand. “There’s nothing in New York for me besides you, but I know you probably don’t want me hovering around when you get him back, right?”

I opened my mouth, though I didn’t know what I could say to that.

He smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back to visit you soon. I love you.”

My lips trembled. “I love you too,” I whispered.

“I know. I’ll meet your father downstairs in a couple of hours. Perhaps you would like to come with me to say hi to him before you go back up.”

I nodded.

* * *

Exactly two hours later,I came downstairs to the lobby with Roberto to see Francisco. I was wearing all black, and my hair was tied into a bun.

A headache started forming at the back of my head, and I couldn’t remember the last time I ate something.

I hid a small gun in my waistband from behind. A parting gift from Roberto. He didn’t know how useful that would be for me tonight.

Roberto eyed me through the elevator doors, and I shot him a small, reassuring smile that I didn’t exactly feel.

If he was suspicious over my outfit change, he didn’t show. I supposed it looked like I changed for comfort.

The elevator doors opened, and I found Francisco right away. A small pinch formed in the center of my heart at the way his eyes brightened when he saw me behind Roberto.

Angelo had never looked at me like that.

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