Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 43928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Fuck, that hurts.
"You only heard part of that conversation, cara mia," I insist, desperation clawing at my insides. I can't lose her now, not when I've finally found something worth living for.
She stares at me, her blue eyes clouded with fear and uncertainty. But a tiny flame of hope flickers to life. She desperately wants to believe me, but she's afraid to let herself.
I could call Coda, and ask him to vouch for me, but I don't want her to believe me because he clears my name. I need her to believe me because deep down, she knows that I'd never do anything to hurt her. I need her to trust me with every little piece of herself. Without that, we're doomed, and I won't allow that. I can't because I fucking need her the same way she needs me.
"It's me and you against the world, little mouse, remember?" I remind her softly, trying to reach the connection we shared before I gave her a reason to doubt it. Trying to remind her why she put her trust in me in the first place. "That wasn't a lie. Nothing I've ever said to you was a lie. I love you."
She shakes her head, trying to deny me.
"I do. I belong to you, Aurelia. The same way you belong to me. If you want to fight, you fight me. If you want to run, you run to me. You're the light to my dark, just like I told you." I exhale a breath. "It doesn't matter what your brothers to do me because if I don't have you, I've got nothing. You're every dream I've ever had. Sei la ragione per cui vivo."
"Mattia." She sinks to her knees beside me, sobs wracking her body as she cracks. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"Shh, topolina. You don't apologize to me. You don't ever apologize to me." I pull her close to my chest, feeling like I can finally fucking breathe again.
Until I glance up and see all four of her brothers watching us. Cazzo. My arms tighten around her. Hell will freeze over before I allow them to take her from me.
"She's mine," I say quietly, my eyes locked on Rafe. "I don't regret a single choice I've made to protect her, and I won't apologize for them. Punish me however you see fit for the choices I've made, but you aren't taking her from me."
"Jesus Christ," he growls, his obsidian eyes blazing with anger as he looks between us.
Gabe, standing next to him, mutters a curse under his breath. "I guess this means we need to talk, then. Because you aren't leaving here with her until we know every goddamn thing you know."
I nod, acknowledging their need for answers, but my attention never wavers from Aurelia. Her trembling body pressed against mine is a reminder of all I stand to lose if I can't convince them that every action I've taken was taken with her best interests—and theirs—in mind.
By the time we move to the dining room, Coda and Diego have arrived. Luca quickly fills them in on the situation while Amalia retrieves ice for my jaw. Once she drops it off for me, she retreats.
Aurelia stays glued to my side.
The room hums with tension as we settle down to talk, my arm around Aurelia, who burrows into me as if she intends to permanently embed herself in my skin.
Rafe's obsidian eyes burn into mine, a mixture of rage and betrayal swirling within their depths. My stomach twists at the sight of his fury. I'm not sure if he'll ever forgive me for this.
I'm not sure I'll blame him if he doesn't.
The two of us have never had secrets. No matter how fucked up things got with his brothers. No matter how many times we've been betrayed. No matter how close we've been to losing it all, we've always been able to rely on one another and the trust between us.
"Where do you want me to start?" I ask.
"Aurelia's already told us everything about who she is, Brio, and her mother," Luca says when Rafe refuses to respond.
I glance down at Aurelia, my heart swelling with pride at her bravery. "I'm so fucking proud of you," I whisper into her ear, pressing a kiss to her temple before turning back to face her brothers.
"I'd like to know how you knew about her," Nico says. "And for how long."
"Enzo Abate came to me about her the day I rescued her," I murmur. "He thought Rafe would pay for what he knew." I meet Rafe's gaze. "I disabused him of that notion. He won't be sniffing around again."
Rafe jerks his chin in a nod.
"He told you that Brio had her?"
I shake my head, hesitating.
"I found that out," Coda volunteers before I can find a way to tell this story without dragging him into it.