Page 22 of Savage Hearts

“I thought you were dead.”

I closed my eyes, staving off the tears threatening to spill.

“You left me and never came back.”

“I thought I was protecting you, Celestina.”

Snorting at his words, I flicked my gaze to his.

“You were only protecting yourself. Trouble followed me home, Beckett. I’ve lost so much…” I fought back the tears, unwilling to show him my pain. “So I’ll ask you again. Why. Are. You. Here?”

“Because the danger is about to become worse, and I wanted to protect your family. It was the least I could do, thinking I’d caused your death. I thought I’d lost you for good.” Emilia whined, her tiny hands coming out from beneath the blanket. Beckett reached out and touched her fingers. “Why didn’t you tell me about her?” His voice cracked.

“Tell you what? Oh, hey Beckett, I know you left and didn’t want me to look for you, but hey… I had your daughter. Why would I? I didn’t want you coming back here out of a sense of duty. We’re fine alone. I have my family… well, most of it. I was just a piece of pussy for you.”

His brows furrowed. “You were never just a passing fling, Celestina.” He reached out to cup my cheek, but I flinched, causing his hand to drop. “I should have told you then, but I was scared of tainting you.”

“I’m an Anastasi.” I laughed. ”I’m already tainted, Beckett.”

“I love you, Celestina.”

I snorted at his confession, but the anger for what had happened didn’t let me accept his words.

“He took my sister.”

Beckett lifted his gaze from our daughter, and the murderous rage in the reflection of his irises made my insides shudder.

“Manuel?” He practically growled his question.

I nodded. “I convinced Carmela to sneak me out. I was tired of being locked up, and because she’s my twin, she agreed. We hadn’t gone far when they struck our car. Carlisle, Massimo’s head manager, was with us. He saw us sneaking out and jumped in the car. He shouldn’t have even been there, and he died… because of me.”

Beckett attempted to pull me into his arms, but the movement caused our daughter to let out a whine of protest, making him step back.

“Was she with you?”

“I went into labor on the side of the road. If Vin and my brothers hadn’t gotten there when they did… we’d both be dead.”

“Times up.” Vin’s threatening tone filled the empty bar. “I need to get them home. There was an attempt on my oldest sister and her husband today. We’ve moved everyone to my brother's compound.”

“I’m not leaving her.” Beckett stepped back and stiffened. “Never again. I made that mistake once, and it won’t be happening again.”

Vin held his gaze, then nodded. “Let’s go. The sooner we get them secured, the sooner we can go hunting.”

“Then let’s get them home.”

Vin ensured the exit was safe, then guided us to the awaiting SUV. Drew’s eyebrows raised to his hairline when he saw who was standing beside me. Beckett tipped his chin and pressed his hand to my lower back.

“Don’t touch me.” I hurried forward and sighed in relief when I saw Madison motion me inside the car.

“Vin, does the boss know he’s here?” Drew glanced back at Beckett.

“Yes,” Vin growled, climbing into the passenger seat.

Madison held her hands out to take Emilia, so I could slide into the seat. I reached for my daughter and pulled her into my arms as Madison slipped into the space beside me.

Beckett’s expression fell when he realized Madison sat between us. His gaze followed my movements as I pressed Emilia against my chest.

“You should have her in a seat.”

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