“I’m so sorry,” I cry, not knowing what else to do but apologize.
Stepping forward, he forces me to take a step back so he can come in, closing the door behind us. His arms wrap around me, holding me tightly.
“We need to talk,” he says, his voice strained.
I take a step away from him, my eyes widening in fear.
Please don’t end this,I beg to myself.I’ll never survive it if you do.
But instead of articulating the words, I hold my breath and lead him to the couch.
Once we’re seated with our bodies turned so we’re facing each other, he reaches out, cupping my cheek. “I hate when you cry.”
Every unimaginable fear has surfaced—all the worst-case scenarios and the what-ifs. I’m terrified of losing him. Petrified that he will walk away from me right now.
From across the room, a light smattering of rain hits the windows, the soft pelts tapping across the glass. I shiver on instinct, my skin erupting in goosebumps as I watch the rain for a breath, before finally pulling my gaze back to him.
“I’m so scared, Sly.” The words are hardly audible to my own ears, but my voice seems lost at this moment.
His brows knit together, almost as if he’s confused. “Of what, Vincenza?”
“Of losingyou. Of all of this ending. I wouldnevermarry him, Sly. I hate August, and he set me up. Him and my brother have been planning this up for weeks—months even. Can’t you see that?”
“Sí, piccola ladra. I can. Which is why I am herenow.”
“You believe me?”
“Of course I do.” He reaches out and takes my hand. Bringing it to his lips, he kisses my palm. “But still, we must have a serious talk. Things have changed. The entire city now thinks you’re engaged to August St. Jean. Your family believes this. He may have set you up, but he did so in a way that will only make himself look better when you end it.”
“I don’t care about that. The only thing I care about isyou, and being with you.”
“I am yours, amore mio,” he says, brushing his thumb over my lower lip. He stares at me, eyes softening as he leans forward and kisses me gently. All too quickly, he pulls away, but leaves his forehead pressed against mine.
His voice is strained when he speaks again. “I am a slave to your emotions, controlled by a simple look on your face. When you are sad, I want to kill the one who puts that feeling into your heart. When you are happy, I want to bottle that emotion and save it for all the times you are not. You own me, Vinnie. I love you more than words will ever express, but I won’t watch you marry another man. Not when the only man who will ever love you wholly is me.”
“I’mnotmarrying him, Sly.”
“Then you need to tell your family that—tell everyone. And then we need to tell them we’re together. It’s time to confess to everyone thatwelove each other. I cannot continue our relationship behind closed doors.August has already stripped away my ability to be the man who proposes to you. He will not takeyouas well.”
My heart seizes in my chest, thinking of how my family will react if we tell them. I want to—God, so badly do I want to tell the world that I love Sly Lucchetti, but the fear of my family's reaction still grips me.
And then there’s August.
His words rattle through my mind. He knew it was Sly behind that mask…
“I can’t?—”
“Can’t, or won’t, Vincenza? Because if you allow me to slide a ring onto your finger and throw his into the East River, I will do everything in my power to always protect you, our families be damned.”
“You know I want that.” Tears slide down my cheeks as he brings my hands to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. A sob catches in my throat at the sweet gesture. “But you don’t know my family like I do. My father… Joseph… I can’t be the reasonyouend up hurt. Because they will come after you, Sly. You and I both know it.”
“You forget, Idoknow your family and their capabilities. I witnessed it firsthand as a child. Still, I am not worried. Loving you is worth any risk.”
“I could never live with myself if anything ever happened to you.”
He shakes his head. “If your concern is with my safety, then let's leave together.”
My eyes widen at the suggestion. “Run away?”
