AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I blink, not believing the words he’s just said.
“I wish I'd told you sooner. God… there’s so much I wish I’d done differently.”
His confession hangs in the air between us. Part of me wants to believe him, to throw caution to the wind and fall into his arms. But the wounds are still too fresh, the pain too raw.
I force myself to maintain my composure, my voice cool and detached. "It doesn't matter, Henry. Even if what you're saying is true, it doesn't change anything. We could have never worked. Our worlds are too different."
Henry's face falls, the hope in his eyes dimming. He nods slowly, accepting my words even as they seem to crush him.
"I understand.” He turns to leave but stops before exiting the sitting room. He takes one last look at me. “I know we weren’t supposed to be together, but I’d have done anything to make it work.” He gives me a small smile and then leaves.
As soon as he’s gone, my carefully constructed walls crumble. I leave my work and make my way out of the sitting room.
“Lana?” Elio tries to intercept me, but I bypass him and flee up to my room, barely making it inside before the tears start to fall. I sink onto my bed, burying my face in my hands as sobs rack my body.
A part of me hates myself for crying over Henry. Another part of me grieves at the loss of him. Of what I thought we could have if only we overcame the obstacles between us.
I don't know how long I've been crying when I hear a soft knock at the door. Before I can compose myself, Piper slips in.
"Oh, Lana.” She sits beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
I try to pull away, to hide my weakness, but Piper holds fast. "It’s okay. You don't have to be strong all the time."
For a moment, she just holds me, then she asks, “What did he say?”
I shake my head. “Some bull about his playing along to give Elio time to arrive.”
“And you don’t believe him?”
I look at her. “You weren’t there, Piper. He said things… did things…”
She wipes my tears. “He did tell Elio you were in danger. And Elio did tell him to stall because it would take some time to get his men and himself there.”
I look up at her. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because you told me you cared for Henry. I don’t want a misunderstanding to derail what you might have.”
I look away, fighting the desire to believe her. I’ve been burned too many times.
“Elio doesn’t want me to tell you this, but Henry has been trying to see you since that night. The man is quite persistent. And brave, if today is any indication.”
“So?”
“So Elio has been trying to keep him from you. Not to protect you from him. He knows Henry is why you’re safe now. But he blames Henry for what happened. And I think Elio feels guilt at not taking your desire to find Lazaro more seriously. You went to Henry, and then all this happened. Elio blames himself.”
I can’t sort out all the words she’s saying.
"There's something else. Elio was skeptical of Henry when Henry asked for help, but then Henry told him that he loved you. I was there during the call. There was no doubt he was telling the truth. Henry was scared to death that he’d lose you. He was so desperate for help?—”
“That he called the Mob?”
She smiles. “He called the other man who’d be as invested, and ruthless if need be, to save you.”
My heart clenches painfully at her words. For a moment, I allow myself to imagine a world where Henry and I could be together. But reality crashes back in, cold and unforgiving. We were doomed even before all this happened.
"It doesn't matter," I say, pushing away from Piper. "We could never be together. Elio wouldn’t allow it."
She laughs, and I turn to her, annoyed that she’d find humor in my heartache.
