Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 149338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
I deserved it.
I deserved everything.
“Amari, calm the fuck down,” I reasoned, only pissing her off more. Grabbing her by the wrists, halting her assault.
“Why didn’t you do something?! Why didn’t you save her?! How could you just let her die like that?!” she sobbed, breaking free, shoving me the closer I tried to come toward her.
“Amari, I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I did everything I could. Don’t you think I would switch places with her if I could?”
Her eyes blurred with nothing but tears, and my body twisted with the longing to fall apart. To finally let out all my emotions that were wreaking havoc on my soul.
“She’s gone! She’s fucking gone! I hate you! I hate you!” she yelled over and over to let it sink into my pores and make it become a part of me.
Making me truly believe it, truly know that this was the end.
“Amari, I’ll make it right. I promise you I’ll make it fucking right. Look at me. It's me, your brother.”
She crumbled to the ground, taking me along with her. I dropped to my knees, ignoring the sting, which was minor compared to the pain in my heart. The devastation in my soul. I broke her fall as her body hunched over. Shattering into pieces in my hands, slipping through my fingers.
“I’m so fucking sorry… please… you have to forgive me… I can’t lose you, too…” I murmured, my voice breaking.
Sophia and Michael just stood there, watching the two loves of their lives, breaking.
She let me take her in my arms, her head buried in my chest. Her body lying in between my legs.
“I feel like I’m dying… I feel like a part of me is dead, and I’m never going to get it back. I don’t want to hate you, but I can’t forgive you. I don’t know what to do, Alejandro. Nothing is going to bring her back,” she sobbed uncontrollably.
“Shhh… it’s okay,” I whispered, rocking her back and forth. “Shhh… I’m here. I’m here, Amari,” I reassured her at a loss for anything else to say or do.
Our lives would forever change after that day.
Especially mine.
The limo pulled into the driveway just after five in the evening. It had been a few days since the funeral, and I was trying to play catch up and get everything back in order. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had a good night’s sleep.
I was so fucking exhausted.
I stepped out of the limo, noticing Sophia’s car was parked behind Michael’s. That motherfucker was around more and more lately, consoling my sister, but I knew he had other intentions. I hadn’t seen Sophia much since the funeral, too busy dealing with worried business associates, and dodging the media that still lingered around like savages. The wedding plans were put on hold, the ceremony postponed as of now. We all needed time to heal and grieve. Neither one of us wanted to relive the painful memory that was now associated with my mother’s death.
I walked inside the house and headed straight for my bedroom, looking for Sophia. Sometimes she’d curl up on my bed and wait for me in there, or before my mom passed, she would be in the kitchen cooking with her. My chest tightened at the thought, remembering how many times I would lean against the door frame just to watch without them knowing. Loving their banter and the way they were around each other.
Memories I would cherish till the day I died.
“Cariño,” I called out, rounding the corner into my bedroom, expecting her to be waiting for me. “Sophia?” She was nowhere to be found.
I took off my suit jacket, along with the holster. Placing my guns on the nightstand and throwing the jacket on the bed. I made my way toward Amari’s room, figuring that she would be in there. Maybe hanging out with my sister who I hadn’t seen much of either. Giving her the space she obviously needed. She stayed at Michael’s more often than not, avoiding my father, and the memories of our mother that would always linger in the house.
“Sophia, you need to listen to me,” I heard Michael say from down the hallway. “I’m only trying to protect you.”
I stopped just shy of the door, wanting to hear where this was leading.
“Michael, I—”
“Do you really want this life? A life where bodyguards are constantly surrounding you because your life is always in danger? Waking up every morning not knowing if it’s your last? What about your kids? Huh? You want to risk their lives, too? Do you want to spend the rest of your life married to a criminal? Because make no mistake, Sophia, under the fancy suits and expensive façade, that’s what he will always be. A notorious gangster. Do you want to know where your love for him is going to lead you? Six-feet underground, right next to his mother. You need to go, you—”