Say You’re Mine (Falling in Love #2)

Chapter 19

19

LEV

H ow did this go from one of the most perfect days to the worst? I glance around the lobby to where Eros's parents are, then over to Kate, who has a phone pressed to her ear, her face etched with worry. They have all been so good to me, and I brought this right to their front door.

My parents and the Caldwell brothers are speaking to the police. I had begged my mother to not call them, but after she demanded money for a payout to not press charges and Eros told her to get fucked, she called the police. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how the hell I am even related to these people. I thought stealing from their own daughter was the lowest, most hurtful thing they could do to me, but I was wrong. Them pulling this shit on Eros takes that to a whole other level.

“Honey, are you okay?” Polly asks again. Eros is sitting on the stairs with two police officers.

“Not really,” I admit. Is he going to go to jail? How is this going to affect his career? Eros is known as one of the most stand-up men in the city. He is one of the good ones. I’ve learned that over the past weeks. People always gush over him. Now I've gone and ruined that. Hurt the one man that has ever been good to me.

“I promise. It’s fine,” Polly tries to reassure me.

“Eros can handle this,” his dad adds.

They are, of course, being kind. Both of them are the sweetest people on the freaking planet. I'm sure they're tempted to yell at me. Polly told me that I'm the only girl her son has ever spoken about in a romantic manner. That had me swooning. Now I think that is playing against me.

“Finally,” Kate says loudly. It echoes off the walls. A woman in a fancy suit and her hair held back in a tight bun comes through the lobby doors. Her expression is intense and kind of scary. She’s giving fuck around and find out vibes.

Great, more people to bear witness to this mess. A handful of people from the offices upstairs already got eyefuls. My phone vibrates again in my pocket. I pull it out and see it’s Gabby calling me for the third time. I don’t answer it. I would, but I really don’t want to speak to her in front of people. I’m on the verge of tears, and I never cry.

My phone goes off again, but this time it’s a text.

Gabby: What the hell is going on?!

Before I can respond, a video comes through. I see my father and Eros. Despite my reluctance, I press play and witness Eros striking my father in the face. How does she have this?

Me: Where did you get this?

Gabby: It’s going around.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. This is going to be everywhere. My stomach turns. It was a little queasy earlier, but this ordeal has made it ten times worse. I no longer have to worry if bringing my drama to Eros’s doorstep is going to ruin his reputation. The incident is plastered all over social media, letting me know that I’ve allowed my family to hurt the person I love.

“I think I’m going to throw up.” I rush toward the bathroom.

“Lev!” I hear shouted after me. I make it to the toilet but only dry-heave.

“Darling.” I feel Eros's hand on my back. His other is pulling my hair back.

“I don’t think anything is coming out,” I say, standing.

“That’s because you didn’t eat your lunch. You pushed it around the plate,” Polly half-scolds with her hands on her hips. I notice the two police officers standing behind his parents. They followed Eros in here.

“Are you being arrested?” I look up at Eros.

“I don’t know,” he answers. “Right now I’m just detained.” I nod. When we walk out of the bathroom, I see that my parents and the Caldwell brothers are gone. The two officers who had previously spoken to my parents are now in conversation with Kate and the woman who had arrived.

“Where did my parents go?” I cringe calling them that. I’ll never speak to them again after this.

“The hospital,” one of the cops answers. I spin around to face Eros. “Did you know that a video has already been released? Gabby sent it to me.”

“I don’t give a shit,” Eros says calmly. I reach up and touch his face.

“I’m so sorry.”

“There is nothing to apologize for, darling.” Fuck, it hurts when he calls me that. Those damn tears sting even more, but I must remain strong. It’s the only way to survive. I learned that long ago. To school my expression and turn everything off the best I can. At least to appear that way.

“Can we have a second?” I ask. Everyone is hovering.

“Sorry, miss. He’s detained.”

“Knock it off. He’s not going anywhere,” the woman in the fancy suit snaps at the officers. “My client can have a moment alone,” she challenges them. “Or do I need to make another call?”

“Fine.”

“All right.” Both officers respond simultaneously, taking a step back. So does everyone else.

“I should go,” I tell Eros the second we are alone.

“You’re not going anywhere.” The calmness that Eros had moments ago vanishes in an instant. “Don’t try me.”

I want to tell him this is for the best. To save him from more bullshit. My bullshit. Eros is a good man, and he deserves a partner that can give him everything he needs.

Not the poor girl with a shitty attitude and shittier parents that want to suck him dry. Hell, if they think we’re not together anymore, they might leave him alone. I should have known this was going to happen.

Whenever I get any good, there is much more bad to follow. It’s been the story of my life.

“You punched my father.” I make sure my face remains emotionless. It’s one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I want to throw my arms around him and thank him, but I don’t. It’s the first time in my life that anyone has ever stood up to that man for me. There are no words that can describe how I’m feeling, and there is no way I can allow any of that to show. I remind myself that I need to not be selfish. That I need to do this to protect Eros.

“He’s fucking lucky that is all I did.” Eros is gritting his teeth. “I’m far from done with him.”

“Well, I’m done with you.” I take a step back from him, but Eros’s hands grab my hips, pulling me back into him.

“Too bad because I’ll never be done with you, Lev.” He leans down close. “Ever.” Something dark flashes across his eyes. I have turned him into a different man. He’s supposed to be good, and I’m ruining him. I won’t do that to him. I can’t. He has to let me go for his own good. Even as I think the words, my heart is shattering into a million pieces.

“I’m asking you.” His fingers on my hips flex. “You said all I had to do was ask,” I remind him.

“Lev, don’t do this to me,” Eros pleads. I want to press my lips to his so badly and never let go.

“I have to,” I whisper.

“Eros.” His lawyer calls his name.

“This isn’t over.” He lets his hold of me go.

I try to keep my chin up as I make my way to the door. I barely make it out of there before a single tear breaks free.

I have to let him go. I love him too much to destroy him. In the end, that would destroy us both.