Chapter 13 #2
“I don’t know if she ever told you, but they were so incredibly close. She was the apple of his eye.” She spoke softly, not taking her eyes off her granddaughter.
“But wasn’t that spot reserved for you? You were his wife, after all.”
“He adored me, I know he did.” She breathed out a big breath, the corners of her mouth turning up as she thought about her late husband. “But he had a special place in his heart for her.”
“Is that why he trained her?”
“Partly. Victor was all about Miles, wanting to make him the best of the best, but in my opinion, Miles fell short. He was never the right choice. Victor overlooked Anastacia time and time again, and my husband had enough, so he took it upon himself to train Ana.”
“And Victor still focused on Miles? Despite what your husband said to him?” I asked.
“Indeed, Miles was his sole focus. Anastacia didn’t really matter.
He never thought she was good enough. He never thought she’d be able to replace him.
She wasn’t strong enough for that job in his opinion.
” Evelina clenched her fists, the anger getting to her.
There was clearly more to that family dynamic than I’d found out previously.
“And what was your opinion?”
“That she could do that job with her eyes closed. There was no one better to lead after Victor, but he was blinded by focusing on his son. He dismissed her without a second thought.” She sighed.
“I never knew.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t know, Lorenzo. She wouldn’t have told you.” Evelina turned to face me. “That woman brushes everything off. She may put on this mask and armour, but deep down, she’s so much more than what you think.”
“I’m sure she is.” I turned my attention back to Anastacia, who was kneeling beside the grave, her hair blowing behind her in the wind as the moonlight illuminated the tears that glistened on her cheeks.
“I know you aren’t innocent in this marriage. I wasn’t born yesterday. I know you have some sort of hidden agenda, but trust me, Ana isn’t the easy target you think she is.” She informed me, and I already knew she wasn’t as easy as I expected her to be.
“Red will drive you home, I can get Ana to drive me back.”
“Do you have a death wish?” She laughed as the smile finally reached her eyes.
“Is she really that bad?”
“Do you want to find out?” She rounded the front of the car as she replied.
“Good point. It looks like I’ll be driving then.” I smiled as she disappeared into the passenger seat.
I made my way over to where Anastacia knelt. She quickly wiped her eyes, hiding any sign of upset from me as if wanting to slip that mask back into place. She didn’t want to look weak in front of me.
“Are you ready to go?” I asked, hovering behind her.
“Yeah, just give me a minute.” She whispered, tracing her fingers across her grandfather’s name. “I love you, dedushka . You will always be my sunshine,” she whispered before letting out a shaky breath. “Let’s go.”
She rose to her feet, not wanting to look at me.
We didn’t exchange words, but that didn’t stop me from doing what I did next.
I pulled her into my arms, resting my chin on her head as she relaxed into me.
She didn’t cry. She didn’t speak. She just let me hold her.
I didn’t know what came over me. I wasn’t usually comforting, and I never wanted to be affectionate towards her, but seeing her so upset stirred something in me, something I couldn’t name.
It might have been the first time we’d actually been that close without wanting to kill one another—or fighting for dominance—and honestly, I should have hated it… But tonight, I didn’t.
“Red took your grandmother home. I’ll drive us back in your car.”
“She told you about my driving then?” she murmured into my chest.
“Something like that, yeah.” I chuckled before leading her to the car.
We pulled into the garage. I should have prepared myself for the mouthful I was about to receive regarding my countless offences tonight.
From me following her to crashing the meal with her grandmother and finishing off at the graveside.
But when she appeared in front of me at the driver's side door, her face was softer than I expected it would have been.
“Thank you for tonight.” She breathed. “It was a change, though, seeing a kinder side to you.”
“Don’t get used to it, Anastacia. I felt sorry for you, that’s all,” I replied, my tone cold and unbothered.
“For your information, I don’t need your pity. I didn’t need you to hold me, either,” she snapped. “I managed just fine before you.” She turned on her heel and stormed towards the house.
Well done, dickhead.
I followed her inside as she walked past my four most trusted men, including Red, who was already back. Their eyes fell on me the second I entered the kitchen.
“My office now.” I shot them all a look that told them exactly what I wanted to discuss.
They followed me through to my safe space. Then, the four of them stood before me.
“Now, I’m going to ask this once and I want the fucking truth,” I seethed.
“Who let my wife leave the house alone?!” I looked at them.
They remained silent. I knew exactly who it was, Ana slipped out with his name earlier.
“I know damn well it wasn’t Red since he was with me, so Emmet, are you going to confess? ” I asked.
“Boss, before you put a bullet in my head, let me explain—” Emmet started as his face fell.
“I don’t want to hear what excuse you have.” I slapped my gun down on the desk as his eyes dropped to it. “You went against my word, the one I have repeated over and over. You let her leave the house alone. You know as well as I do that she’s a walking target.”
“I’m sorry. She caught me off guard. I—” He cleared his throat. “I called you the second she left, but it went to voicemail. Please forgive me. You have my word, it won’t happen again.”
“Too right, it won’t.” I lowered myself onto my chair, not taking my eyes off of Emmet. “Do you think you can defy me? That you can ignore the rules since we’re friends?” I questioned.
“No, I was careless and I should have stopped her, I’m sorry.” He breathed.
“Consider this your first and last warning.” I leaned forward, placing the knife I’d taken from my waistband down on the desk. “Next time, I won’t be as lenient.”
“Thank you, Boss.”
“Does anyone else have anything to confess?” I asked, glancing at the four of them.
“No, Boss.” Red nodded, speaking for everyone.
“Good,” I responded. “See yourselves out, I have somewhere I need to be.” I ordered before leaving the four of them alone and making my way to Ana’s room.
I tapped on Ana’s door but there was no response.
Knocking again a little louder, there was still nothing.
Fuck it. I pushed the door open slowly, trying to be as quiet as possible.
I neared her bed, noticing she was tucked beneath the covers.
Her hair fanned the pillow as tears stained her cheeks, but for the first time, she looked peaceful.
I carefully sat on the edge of the bed, not wanting to wake her.
I felt a pang of guilt for what I said to her in the garage.
I pushed the hair from her face, letting my fingers linger on her skin a little longer than I should have.
“I was a dick, I know that,” I whispered. “I shouldn’t have been, especially today of all days.”
There may have been a hidden apology in there somewhere, but she’d never hear it.
I stood and pulled the covers up around her more. She grabbed my hand and snuggled into it as I stilled, unsure on what to do until I finally realised I had to let go. She didn’t mean to do it. She was in too deep of a sleep to realise.
“Goodnight, wife,” I muttered before stepping away from her.