“I killed my baby’s father, Leo,” she said in panic. “I killed my baby’s father.”
“You of all people know that some men should never be fathers, and their children will be better off without them. Frank Baldi. Domenico Lanza. Tino Bellomo.”
She repeated the three names after him as if she was hypnotized.
“Don’t be afraid. Two down. One more to go,” he said.
“No one can know. Enzio can’t know, Leo, or he’ll take my baby. He’ll come after me and take my baby.”
“No one will touch your baby, Nicky. I’ll take care of Enzio, too. You have my word,” he vowed. “No one will ever hurt you or Lina or your babies ever again.”
“How?” she moaned, crying for the first time before me. “You have one shot at taking Tino down. We both know you’re not getting out of there alive. You can’t kill Enzio, Leo. You won’t have a chance, and he’ll take my baby.”
“I said no! I’ll protect you.” His arms folded around her belly instead. “No matter what it costs.”
The view of him, of them together, wrapped around each other in vows and pleas amazed me and ripped at my heart at the same time. That cruel man giving the enemy that threatened to take his life a hug when she needed it, promising her protection because of the innocent life growing inside her. I knew it wasn’t time to be jealous or for my insecurities to settle in, but I couldn’t deny what I could clearly see. What Nicole and Leo hadn’t even realized.
Could it be true?
Was Leo Bellomo in love with Nicole Lanza?
CHAPTER 21
Ravenna
I should run. The door was open. They weren’t paying attention to me. This was my chance to escape, to run as fast as I could and never look back. That was what I should have done right from the start. What was I thinking staying, hoping against all hope, that I got a shot at pleasure in this world that had done nothing but destroy me?
And why was I upset at the potential of him and Nicole? He’d never exhibited any affection or professed any intimate emotions toward me, and I’d literally just told him it was all right if he found love with someone else but me. Why was I afflicted to the point of risking everything? Why could I not stand the sight of them together to the point I wasn’t only considering escaping but also betraying him again?
Don’t do it. There’s no coming back from there.
But I wasn’t that strong to be the bigger person. The virtue of sanity had left me when I became madly in love.
You’re going to lose him.
I’d lost him already the second that pregnancy test showed two lines. I’d always thought if I stayed, I had a chance at owning him like he owned me. I believed, with time, I could have stopped his screams if he’d let me. I could have been everything he needed had he wanted me.
I’d have done anything to make him stay. I’d have fought for what was mine.
But now…
Leo’s fixation had always been centered on saving an innocent girl. At first, I thought he was displacing his feelings for his mother and her gruesome death, but I understood now. The rape of his mother that led to the death of his unborn sister was the core of his complex. That was why the object of his obsession was always a young, virgin girl. That was why once she was defiled, he’d have to kill her so he wouldn’t relive the pain of his failure to protect.
Now, his fixation would subconsciously fall on Nicole and her baby. The need to save an actual unborn baby would draw him to her despite the hate, the taboo or any previous emotions he’d attached to her sister.
All the elements were there, not just a replacement innocent girl. The pregnant Mafia wife that could fall a victim just because of the ties to the family she’d never wanted in the first place. Manifested in Nicole, his mother and unborn sister were right there, a Mafia family threatening them, and he believed he could actually save them this time.
As his forehead touched hers, I could see it, the alternate reality that was far from the truth he was building around her and her baby, just like the ones he’d built around Anastasia and Lina to cope with the trauma.
You should help him, not run.
I can’t help him. I’ve never helped anyone in my life, especially the ones I loved.My feet tiptoed backward. The coldness of the sea wind lashed at my back. I stretched my wrists on my behind as far as possible so the chains wouldn’t rattle and sprinted out as fast as I could.
“Shit! She’s running!” Nicole yelled.
My hair whipped at my cheeks as I dashed away, maneuvering my way among the boats on the sand. Leo and Nicole’s curses and feet echoed in the background, but I wouldn’t stop. I could outrun an injured man and a pregnant lady.
Bang!