I give him another smile while shaking my head at him.
The doorknob suddenly starts turning, startling both of us. Next thing I know, I’m being pushed behind the desk and onto the floor. Lo stands above me, gun pointed at the door.
“What—” I start, but Lo shushes me.
My heart begins to race.
Is this how it ends? I don’t want to die.
My breath catches. There was once a time when death didn’t scare me. I had nothing left to live for. The nightmares that plagued me would have eventually caused me to go insane. Bash changed everything for me. He became my beacon of hope, my dark king here to protect and take care of me. He dragged me from that pit and pulled me into his world.
I don’t want it to end.
The doorknob jiggles again, causing my heart to race as a myriad of thoughts rush through my head. I played out a million scenarios of how this could go. Then I hear it, a voice that moments ago I thought I may never hear again.
“Open the door. It’s me.” Bash’s hushed whisper pulls me from the floor and sends me rushing to the door.
Lo pulls me back against his chest, stopping me. “Wait,” he says in my ear.
“For what?”
He clears his throat and calls out, “Bash, my friend, what are you doing down here?”
Bash chuckles, causing goose bumps to skitter down my arms. “I was just thinking about taking the boat out for a fishing trip. Now will you open the goddamned door?”
Lo lets out a breath he was holding before loosening his arm. He steps around me, making his way to the door. As soon as it opens, I don’t hold back. I run toward Bash to throw myself at him. He gives me a blinding smile as he catches me.
“I told you I would be fine,tesoro.”
“I never doubted it. You could walk through the depths of hell and you would still come home to me. I know that.”
He pulls back before taking my lips with his. After what seems like hours, but was most likely only minutes, he pulls away. “Let’s finish this.” He sets me down before taking my hand.
I notice that he’s cleaned up as well. Giovanni must have had a change of clothes for him. It amazes me how well they were prepared for tonight. In order to protect us, we were only told what our portion of the plan would be.
“I love you, Bash. More than anything.”
He squeezes my hand before leaning down and kissing me once more.
“I wasn’t living until I met you,tesoro. I love you with every breath in my lungs.”
I smile at his words, knowing I have found my purpose in life.
Isabella
“You look gorgeous tonight,” Giovanni whispers as he passes by me.
I give him a small smile as I continue to watch the room. He hasn’t been more than five steps away from me since Bash and Sofia left the room. While he’s trying to put me at ease by whispering sweet words to me, I’m still on alert.
We watched our best friends commit murder. I almost wish I was at home with Mia. At least then this would have all been a story relayed to me. Witnessing it myself caused my stomach to roll. A foreboding feeling has weighed on me ever since. The danger in the room and of what lies beyond plagues me.
Will we ever make it out of here alive tonight?
My eyes meet Matt’s from across the room. He gives me a small smile. He understands the turmoil I am in. I was not built for this life, but it’s one that I opted into. Giovanni’s the love of my life while Sofia and Mia are my sisters. Add in the strong loyalty and protectiveness I feel for Lo, Bash, and Matt, and I knew I could not just sit at home while they completed their mission.
I understand why the show of force was necessary. But that doesn’t mean it sits well with me. Not only because of the crime committed, but I can’t help but think about the two small children they left parentless. We took the people they love and depend on most and erased them from the world. What will happen to them now? Will Bash and Sofia take them in?
My heart sinks at the thought of Bash abandoning them because of who their parents are. Most dons would have erased the entire family line due to their betrayal. I know Bash wouldn’t harm the children, but I don’t know if he will care for them.
