Page 91 of Distance

“Enough!” I cut her off. “You belong to me, Princess. If you want Enzo to stay breathing, I suggest you stay away.”

“Well, you’ve been a great help, Keller. I’ve gotta go have an itch scratched. Have a nice life, asshole.”

“Oh and by the way, I would have accepted you despite your other certain, what shall we call it… pass time. You say being with you is dangerous, yet you leave me here all on my own, without your protection. You didn’t even ask what I wanted. We both know Enzo has nothing on you. I have a hit on my head, regardless of being with you or not. I wanted it all with you, Keller. I loved you with every fiber of my being. Clearly, I wasn’t good enough for you to make you stay. I have a pretty good idea what you’ve been up to, Keller. I hope it’s worth it. I hope it makes you feel complete.”

She cuts off the call. My mouth is gaping, my jaw almost touching the floor.

Loved.

She loved me, not loves.

She’s right, I was supposed to be her protector. I let my doubts get in the way of what was important.

Now I’ve lost her.

I can’t live like this anymore. This isn’t me, not who I want to be, anyway. Tossing down the tooth extractor, it clangs against the metal tray, and feels like it’s burned a hole in my palm. Maybe it’s not too late, maybe I can fix this. All of it. Sienna saw all of me and still loved me and I threw it back in her face out of fear. I was so close to having it all just three weeks ago. I want it all back and that is exactly what I am going to do. Starting with re-arranging this fight and cutting my mafia ties.

I slide my phone into my pocket and head for the basement door, the prick on the floor asking where I’m going as I storm past him. There’s a new spring in my step as I march into Luca’s office. He’s leaning back into his leather desk chair, frantically typing away on his phone, his brows furrowed. He drags his face from the screen and gives me a sad smile.

“I was wondering how long it would take.” Amusement laces his tone.

I’m not stupid. I know he was watching everything unfold in real time through the security feed. I drop down with a thud onto his emerald green velvet sofa, wedged between two dark oak bookcases. Resting my foot on my knee and leaning back, I wait for his words of wisdom.

“Don’t worry, I’ve spoken to Enzo. Sienna’s not made any kind of pass at him this whole time. The only interaction they have is her scowling at him. She’s winding you up, Brother,” he chuckles.

I’m glad he finds this fucking funny.

“I want out Luca. I can’t do this anymore. It’s killing me.”

A sadness passes over his features as he slowly nods, resting his elbows on his thighs.

“I need to be, no, Iwantto be the man she deserves. I want to unify those belts and win back my girl and make her mine until the day I die. I can’t do that working for you anymore.”

His lips creep up into a smile, his perfect white teeth coming into view.

“I can’t believe it took you this long to realize. It’s been killing me watching you do this to yourself. I thought I’d lost you to the darkness for good after you pushed away the one person who pulls you into the light. I’ve already spoken to the rest of the men and we all agreed to let you go. You and Sienna will always have our protection. A war is raging. You’ve been fighting in my corner for the last fifteen years now. It’s my turn to repay the favor.”

Relief flows through my entire body. It feels like the weight of the world has lifted from my shoulders. Finally, I can see a future out of the shadows, a future with my Queen.

“But, I’m going to need you to do two things for me. You’re going to unify your belts. Channel that anger into the thing you were put on this earth to do: be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Second, you are going to get your girl back. Grovel like no man ever before. You donotgive up on her.”

I stand and walk over to Luca, pulling him into an embrace as my emotions overwhelm me.I’m finally free.

“I can’t tell you how much this means to me, Brother. I promise I won’t let you down,” I clap him hard on the shoulder. “I swear to God, if you need me, you call me. I will always have your back.” We may not be brothers in blood, but I love him just as if we were.

“Come on Keller, we both know I need to stand on my own two feet now. I need to take the lead and finish this. Trust me, I have a plan. I’ve learned from the best how to take care of myself. Now get the fuck out of here and get your girl.”

“Well, I’ve got a fight to organize and one hell of an apology to plan.”

“I don’t think an apology is quite gunna cut this one, Brother. Persistence is key. Don’t let her forget how perfect you are for each other.”

I nod, turning on my heel, turning my back on the mafia, and walking into my new life.

There isn’t a force in the world that could stop me now.

“Let me know when to start my best man speech,” Luca shouts down the hall as I leave.

Shaking my head, I let out a chuckle, the first laugh to leave my lips in weeks.

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