Chapter 19
Gali
I placed Orion carefully in his crib, my heart clenching at the way he started to fuss without my presence. I turned back to Norri, my jaw tight, my patience at an end.
"Norri, I can't keep doing this,"I said, my voice low and rough."Arguing, fighting, second-guessing. I can't live like this. I thought that, when we moved in here when I took that job, it was over. That we could have a fresh start. A real life."
Norri's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, his face crumpling."I want that too, Gali,"he whispered, reaching for me."More than anything. But how can we, if you're still hiding things? Still lying?"
I stepped back, avoiding his touch."Lying? Fuck, Norri, when do you think I've lied to you?"
"When you don't tell me the whole truth,"Norri shot back, his voice rising."When you keep things from me. That's lying by omission."
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration building."Goddammit, Norri! Don't you get it? The more you know, the more danger you're in. I'm trying to protect you! It's that simple."
"And what about me, Gali?"Norri demanded, his voice breaking."What about my right to know what's happening? My right to choose how I face the danger? I'm not some fragile little omega who needs to be coddled. I refuse to be treated like that."
I shook my head, a bitter laugh escaping me."No, you're not fragile, Norri. You're fucking infuriating is what you are. Stupid and reckless and determined to get yourself killed."
Norri reeled back as if I'd struck him, his face pale."Is that what you think of me? That I'm stupid and reckless?"His voice trembled."I'm just trying to be your partner, Gali. Trying to trust you, even when you make it impossible."
I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose again. It was the only thing somewhat quenching my rising frustration.
This wasn't what I wanted, what I'd fought so hard for. A future with Norri and our son, safe and happy. But he refused to let it go, refused to have faith in me.
I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze steadily."Fine, Norri,"I said, my tone hard, final."You want the truth? I'll give you the truth."
I stared down Norri, his gaze unwavering, his expression hard and resolute. I'd kept this from him long enough. It was time for the truth, no matter how much he might despise me after.
"You want to know who that was? That man who visited today?"My voice was low and dangerous, each word weighted with meaning.
Norri tensed, his eyes widening in wary anticipation. He nodded, his throat bobbing with a nervous swallow. He knew that it was going to change our lives.
I stepped closer, looming over him."It was El Lobo. The man who tortured you, threatened you and our son."I could feel the old rage bubbling up inside me at the mere mention of his name.
Norri recoiled slightly, his face paling."El Lobo... here? But how...? I thought that your friend had reassured you that his boss would stop looking for us."
I clenched my jaw, fighting to control my temper."He's still after us, Norri. He's not letting it go. Marcus made a deal and promised to make him back off, but he's failed and is probably dead right now."
Norri looked at me searchingly, his expression a mixture of fear and something else — betrayal, perhaps? He backed away slowly, shaking his head."You... you shouldn't have kept this from me, Gali."
My chest constricted, a pang of regret piercing me. He was right. I should have told him. But I had been trying to spare him, trying to shoulder this burden alone.
"I didn't want you to worry,"I said softly, reaching for him. He eluded my touch, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears."I thought I could handle it. Keep you safe."
A single tear slipped down Norri's cheek, but his gaze hardened with determination."I'm your mate,"he said, his voice steadying."Your partner. I can handle it, Gali. I have to. For us, for Orion."
I sighed, running a hand over my face. He was right, as much as I hated to admit it. I couldn't shield him from everything.
"You're not wrong about that,"I admitted, meeting his eyes."I shouldn't have kept this secret. It won't happen again. I swear it."
Norri searched my face for a long moment before nodding, a fragile hope blooming in his expression."Okay,"he whispered."Okay, Gali."
I pulled Norri into my arms again, holding him close as he trembled against me. His scent enveloped me, soothing and arousing all at once. I breathed him in, trying to memorize the feeling of him in my arms. It could be our last time together.
"I'm really sorry,"I murmured into his hair."For keeping secrets, for not trusting you to handle the truth. You're stronger than I give you credit for."
Norri pulled back, cupping my face in his hands. His eyes searched mine, a mixture of fear and determination."We'll get through this, Gali. I know we can. I won't let anything happen to our family."
I nodded, pressing a kiss to his forehead."I know. And I won't let anything happen to you or Orion."
We held each other for a long moment, drawing strength from our embrace. But the weight of the situation pressed down on us, threatening to crush us.
I pulled away even though I didn't want to do it, my hands lingering on Norri's arms."I have to go,"I said softly."I need to end this, once and for all. Before he comes for us again."
Norri's eyes widened, a flicker of fear passing through them."Gali, no. You can't. It's too dangerous."
I shook my head, my jaw setting with determination."I have to, Norri. For our son, for our future. I won't let him threaten us ever again."
Norri searched my face, his expression torn. He knew as well as I did that this was the only way. That I had to face El Lobo, and end this once and for all.
He nodded slowly, his eyes shimmering with tears."Be careful,"he whispered."Come back to us, Gali. Promise me."
I pulled him into another tight hug, holding him."I promise,"I murmured against his hair."I'll always come back to you."
With a final, lingering kiss, I pulled away and headed for the door. I paused, looking back at Norri one last time. He stood there, his arms wrapped around himself, his eyes shimmering with love and fear.
I gave him a reassuring smile, trying to project a confidence I didn't quite feel."Lock the door behind me,"I instructed."Don't open it for anyone but me." If I come back, I almost added.
Norri nodded, a single tear slipping down his cheek."I love you,"he whispered.
"I love you too,"I replied, my voice rough."More than anything."
With that, I stepped out into the night, the door closing softly behind me. The cool air hit my face, a staggering contrast to the warmth of Norri's embrace.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. I walked down the street, my senses on high alert. Every shadow seemed to hide a threat, every sound a potential danger.