Page 114 of Beautiful Desire

“Got it, brother.”

He gives me another big hug before he’s on his way home. Bending down, I grab the passport he dropped and place it back into the metal box. I’m about to shut it when I stop. I don’t know why, but I open it back up and grab my half of the money and passport.

Closing the lid, I lock it and bury it back in the ground, leaving the blue rock sticking above the dirt just slightly so Massimo can easily find it tomorrow. Standing back up, I wipe the soil off my hands as best as I can and head out of the overgrown vines.

The entire way home, I have this niggling feeling something is going to happen.

CHAPTER34

ELLE

I’m living in a nightmare.Ever since that phone call from Melinda, I haven’t been able to stop the tears from falling. When we got to Gia’s, I fell into her arms and burst into tears. I cried so hard that she had to move me to the couch because my legs were giving out on me.

I feel so weak and helpless. My eyes feel swollen and dry from the number of tears I’ve cried. Once I think I’ve gotten a hold of myself, I look around the chaotic room filled with so many men in tactical gear and suits that I burst out crying because it’s just another reminder Lily is gone.

The guilt I feel for not telling him about Lily before now has intensified over the past hour. Dom still being here after I kept her a secret from him, the determination I saw in his eyes to bring our baby safely back home, makes me feel truly awful.

Gia hasn’t let Nico out of her sight. Watching the two of them sends a pang to my chest, and my heart breaks even more as I wonder if I’ll ever get to experience this again with my daughter. Tears well in my eyes again and I’m so lost in thought that I don’t even notice Dom’s until he’s right in front of me.

“They’ve been in touch,” he says, looking directly into my eyes.

Jolting away from Gia, I sit up straight and wipe the tears from under my eyes. Nervous energy surrounds us as I wait for further information.

“Wha-what did they say?” I ask, desperate for news.

“She’s safe. Remember when I told you I’m not who you think I am? I promise I’ll explain everything once I bring her home, but right now, I have to go,” he says, taking me by surprise.

“What? Why? Where are you going? What is it?” I ask hurriedly.

Dropping down to one knee in front of me, he takes my hands in his, holding them in my lap. “Fiore, I need you to stay here with Gia and Fabi. I need to go, and I promise I’ll bring our baby back and we’ll discuss everything. But right now, Ineedyou to stay here. I need you to be safe.”

I shake my head violently back and forth as he speaks. Ineedto get to her. I need toseeLily.

“No. No! I won’t just sit here and wait. I need to see my baby. She needs her mom!” I shout louder than intended, causing Nico to cry.

Feeling deflated, I drop my head down as silent tears stream down my face. Letting go of one of my hands, he slips it under my chin, raising my head to look me right in my eyes.

“Fiore, I promise I will stop atnothingto bring our little girl home. But Ineedyou to stay here. I can’t have you in danger too. I need to know you’re safe so I can focus on bringing Lily home, okay? Can you do that?” he asks with a pleading look in his eyes.

My eyes flicker back and forth between his, and I see the desperation as he pleads with me. I give a defeated nod in agreement. Moving his hand to the back of my head, he pulls me in toward him. I feel the electricity zap between us as he leaves a kiss on my forehead before whispering so only I can hear.

“I’m going to bring her home, Elle. Ipromise.”

Squeezing my eyes tightly, I give a small nod, putting every ounce of faith I have in him. After a brief moment, he pulls away.

“As soon as I have Lily, I’ll call you, okay?”

“Okay,” I reply in confirmation.

At that, Fabi appears at the doorway behind Dom.

“You’re still here?” he bites out with his eyes trained steadily on Dom.

What the hell?

“What’s—” I start to ask, but I’m quickly cut off by Fabi’s response.

“He needs to leavenow,or I won’t be held responsible for my actions. Get. Out.”

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