“No harm will come to them either. Right, Dad?” I said louder, a clear signal to my father that I meant business. This was important to me and he would respect her wishes.
“On my honor.”
Talia sobbed once and then a smile broke out. One that looked bright and light like she hadn’t felt any kind of relief in years and I felt myself mirror her.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.” She whispered and brought her palm to my cheek. I couldn’t help it; I leaned right into it.
“Of course.” I whispered to her, wrapping my fingers around her forearm to keep her hand on me.
“As touching as this moment is for the reunited lovers,” my father interrupted. If I had my gun on me, I would have shot him for interrupting us. “We need to discuss what happens from here.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.” Talia said respectfully and I rolled my eyes at her use of a title. A little jealous too.
“As of now all our business dealings with the Garzino’s and their affiliates are done. We were one of their most prominent suppliers for their laundering business front, but now they are going to be scrambling. I will discuss with Trenton if he still wants to continue with his part of the plan to infiltrate and tear down from the inside. Kieron, you take Talia to her room here in the building and have her settle in. I gave her the apartment next to yours since I’m certain you would want to be watching over her yourself regardless of what I say. Talia, my dear, please leave a few hours open tomorrow morning and we can have a meeting to really discuss Luca and what you know. It was nice to meet you, lass.” My father said, a clear dismissal as he went back to studying the reports and papers in front of him. Orders given, I stood up and put my hand on her lower back as she also stood.
“Thank you.” She said softly and I took her hand to lead her through the room back to the elevator. Talia was silent as we walked, as we waited for the elevator, as we entered the elevator and I pressed the button to her, our, floor.
“Are you-”
“Is it over?” She asked me, those bright, wide eyes looking at me with disbelief.
“Is what over?”
“The fear. The pain.” I walked up to where she was leaning against the metallic, shiny wall of the elevator and took her face in my hands. The bruises are awful; purple and yellow, they stand for such hate, but they are a testament to how far this beautiful woman would go to protect someone she loves.
“On my life, I will never let him hurt you again.” I whisper with as much emotion as I can imbue in that promise.
She doesn’t speak, doesn’t move, but her eyes are looking at me, darting all over my face and I’m not worried about her silence. It’s expected even since I seemingly came out of nowhere and rescued her.
Just as the bell is about to ring telling us we have reached the right floor, Talia surged forward and kissed me. This kiss was passionate and oh-so-welcome. Her small hands wrapped around my waist and she pulled me closer into her. She started to pull away from me when the door opened, but I couldn’t let her move yet. I slid my fingers up to her hair and gently tilted her head up so I could deepen the kiss.
I licked her lips and she opened her mouth so I could taste her and heard myself groan.
Just as I was about to push her back towards the wall so I could lift her up, I felt her entire body freeze and tense.
Something was wrong. I’d done something wrong.
“Talia?” I asked her, slowly releasing her from my space and trying not to move in a way she thought was threatening.
“Yes?” Her voice was monotone and dull, like all emotion had left her. My heart dropped and I immediately backed as far away from her as I could.
“Talia?” When she noticed where I was standing, her light came back to her eyes and she started to tear up.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Please.” Talia wrapped her arms around herself and turned to the wall of the elevator, leaning her head against it.
“Don’t be sorry, baby. I’m sorry. I got carried away. Please, don’t be afraid.” I whispered. I wanted to go to her and hold her, kiss her tears away and promise that everything would be okay.
She didn’t say anything back to me, but her sobs made the guilt I felt turn ten times worse.
“Want to see your apartment?” I asked after a moment. Maybe giving her her own space will make her feel safer.
Talia turned to me with wonder in her eyes and I saw a transformation take place before my own eyes. Her shoulders straightened, she held her head high, she stood with more confidence as she swung her blonde hair over her shoulder.
“Yes, please.” She said with a smile and pressed the open button before she walked out of the elevator and left me in her wake.
Chapter Ten
Talia
