Chapter 33
T he private jet touches down with a gentle bump. I haven't spoken a word since we left the motel. Damiano's men didn't push me to talk either. They know better.
I stare out the window as the familiar Manhattan skyline comes into view. It's only been two days since I fled my own wedding, but it feels like a lifetime ago. A lifetime where I was someone else.
Someone who belonged to Daniel.
My chest aches at the thought of him. By now, he's found my note. Is he angry? Hurt? Has he already left, disappearing into the shadows?
I hope so. I hope he's far away from here, from Damiano's reach.
The car ride from the airport to the mansion passes in a blur. I don't even register which of our drivers is at the wheel. I just stare out the window, watching the city lights streak by, each one a memory I'm leaving behind.
When we pull through the gates of the Feretti mansion, my stomach twists into knots. Home.
The massive front door swings open before I reach it. Ginerva appears in the doorway. Her face crumples with relief when she sees me.
"Miss Lucrezia!" she cries, almost running toward me. Her gray hair has escaped its usual tight bun, and her eyes are red-rimmed from crying. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Before I can answer, she pulls me into a fierce hug, her familiar scent of vanilla and fabric softener enveloping me. For a moment, I allow myself to sink into her embrace, to be the little girl she still sees me as.
"I'm fine, Ginerva," I say.
She pulls back, her hands gripping my shoulders as she studies my face. "You look tired, bambina. And too thin! Have you eaten?"
A small, sad smile tugs at my lips. Some things never change. In Ginerva's world, most problems can be solved with food.
"I'm not hungry," I tell her.
She clicks her tongue disapprovingly. "Nonsense. I'll bring something to your room. Something light."
I don't have the energy to argue. "Where's Damiano?"
Ginerva's expression darkens slightly. "In his office with Mr. Enzo. They've been waiting for you."
Of course they have. I nod, steeling myself for what's to come.
"I should go see them," I say, but make no move toward the stairs.
Ginerva squeezes my arm. "Perhaps you'd like to freshen up first? Change your clothes?"
She's trying to give me time to delay the inevitable confrontation. I appreciate the gesture, but there's no point in postponing this.
"No," I say, straightening my shoulders. "Better to get it over with."
Ginerva nods, understanding in her eyes.
I give her a small nod of thanks and move past her into the house.
I'm walking back into my old life, leaving behind the brief freedom I tasted. Leaving behind Daniel.
But he'll be safe. That's what matters. That's what I keep telling myself as I reach Damiano's office.
I push the door open. Damiano sits behind his massive desk, Enzo standing by the window. Both turn to look at me, their expressions a mix of relief and anger.
Damiano rises immediately, moving around the desk with quick strides. "Lu?—"
He reaches for me, arms outstretched for an embrace, but I step back. I can't bear his touch right now.
Hurt flashes across Damiano's face, but he drops his hands. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
A bitter laugh escapes my throat. "Hurt me? Daniel would never hurt me."
"He kidnapped you from your own wedding," he says, his voice hard.
"I left willingly," I snap. "Did you even consider that possibility before sending men to kill him?"
Damiano's jaw tightens. "I thought he forced you?—"
"You thought what was convenient," I cut him off. "You didn't even try to find out what happened. You just assumed I couldn't possibly make my own choice."
"Lu, we were worried sick," Damiano says, his voice softening. "When you disappeared?—"
"You were worried about your precious alliance with the Sartoris," I say. "About your casino deal."
"That's not fair," Enzo interjects. "We've been searching non-stop. Damiano hasn't slept."
I look at my oldest brother, really look at him. There are dark circles under his eyes, and his usually immaculate appearance is disheveled. He does look exhausted.
But I can't let that sway me. Not now.
"You sent men to kill him," I repeat, my voice breaking. "Without even knowing whether I left because I wanted to or not."
"Lu—" Damiano starts.
"I came back," I say, cutting him off again. "I came back like the good pet you think I am. You can do whatever you want with me now. Marry me off to Bruno. Lock me in my room. Whatever punishment you think I deserve." I swallow hard. "Just keep your promise."
Damiano's expression darkens. "What promise?"
"That Daniel lives," I say, my voice steady despite the tears threatening to spill. "That's the only reason I came back. You promised he wouldn't be hurt if I returned willingly."
Damiano and Enzo exchange a look I can't quite read.
"Did you think I came back because I realized I was wrong?" I ask. "I came back to save his life. That's it."
The words hang in the air between us, sharp and final.
"Lu," Damiano says quietly. "What happened between you and Daniel?"
I lift my chin. "That's none of your business."
"It is my business when my head of security runs off with my sister," he counters, anger flaring in his eyes.
"He didn't run off with me. I ran off with him," I correct. "And now I'm back. So you can do whatever you want with me. Just leave him alone."
Damiano's expression hardens as he moves back behind his desk. "The wedding will take place tomorrow."
I knew this was coming, but hearing it spoken aloud makes it real in a way I wasn't prepared for.
"Tomorrow?" My voice sounds hollow even to my own ears.
"Yes. The Sartoris have been... accommodating, considering the circumstances." Damiano's tone is clipped, professional. This is business to him. "Bruno has agreed to proceed with the ceremony."
I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly cold despite the warmth of the room. "How generous of him."
Damiano sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Lu, I was the first person who never wanted this marriage to take place. You know that."
"Do I?"
"Yes," he insists, leaning forward. "But now we can't do otherwise. After the wedding takes place, we can discuss what we can do to make this marriage just... fake. A business arrangement in name only."
A bitter laugh escapes me before I can stop it. "Are you serious right now?"
Damiano blinks, clearly not expecting this reaction.
"Do you really think I'm so stupid?" I ask, my voice rising. "That I'd believe Bruno Sartori would marry me and then just... what? Let me live my own life? After I humiliated him by running away from our wedding?"
"Lu—"
"No." I cut him off. "I'm not an idiot, Damiano. Bruno will want what he paid for. And he paid a lot, didn't he? Half the casino, my body, my future children."
Enzo steps forward. "We wouldn't let him?—"
"You wouldn't let him what?" I challenge. "Force me? You think he needs to? The contract is signed. The deal is done. I'll be his wife. His property."
My voice breaks on the last word, and I hate myself for showing weakness.
"We can protect you," Damiano says quietly.
"Like you protected me from Byron's men?" The words are cruel, and I see Damiano flinch as if I'd slapped him. But I can't stop now. "You couldn't protect me then. You can't protect me now."
Silence falls heavy between us. I've gone too far, hit too close to the wound we all still carry.
"I want to be left alone," I say finally, my voice flat. "I'm back. I'll marry Bruno tomorrow. I'll do my duty to the family. But right now, I want to be left alone."
Damiano looks like he wants to say more, but Enzo places a hand on his shoulder, shaking his head slightly.
"Of course," Damiano says after a moment. "You should rest."
I turn to leave, not bothering to respond.
"Lu," Damiano calls after me. I pause at the door but don't turn around. "I'm sorry."
I close my eyes briefly. "So am I."
Without another word, I walk out, closing the door behind me.
I close my bedroom door behind me and lean against it, letting the tears finally fall. My legs give out and I slide to the floor, wrapping my arms around my knees as sobs rack my body.
I've lost him.
A soft knock on the door startles me.
"Lu? It's me." Zoe's voice is gentle on the other side.
I wipe my tears hastily, though I know it's useless. My face is probably a mess. "Come in."
I scoot away from the door, and Zoe slips inside, closing it quietly behind her. Her eyes widen when she sees me on the floor, and she immediately kneels beside me.
"Oh, Lu." She wraps her arms around me, and I collapse against her, fresh tears coming.
"I tried, Lu. I tried everything I could," she whispers, stroking my hair.
"I argued with Damiano for hours. I told him he was making a terrible mistake, that he was going to lose you forever.
He saw you from the camera out of the mansion and knew you were wearing my coat.
He was being paranoid because of the Russians thing and he had put on my everyday clothes GPS tracker. "
I pull back, wiping my nose with the back of my hand. "It doesn't matter."
"It does matter," Zoe insists. "You matter. Your happiness matters."
I shake my head. "Not more than Daniel's life."
Zoe's face softens with understanding. "You really want him, don't you?"
"Yes." The word comes out broken. "And I broke his heart. He'll think I abandoned him."
"You saved him," Zoe corrects me firmly. "You made an impossible choice to protect someone you care. That's not abandonment, Lu. That's sacrifice."
I look down at my hands, remembering how they felt against Daniel's skin.
I meet her eyes. "I told Damiano I manipulated Daniel into helping me. That it was all my fault." My voice breaks. "I had to make sure they wouldn't go after him."
Zoe squeezes my hand. "I understand."
"I just... I need to know he's safe," I say. "That's all that matters now."
Zoe nods. "Damiano gave his word. He won't hurt Daniel."
I laugh bitterly. "And we all know how much Damiano's words are worth these days."
Zoe sighs. "I'll keep an eye on things. Make sure Damiano keeps his promise."
"Thank you," I whisper.
We sit in silence for a moment, my head resting on her shoulder.
"What happens now?" I finally ask.
"The wedding is tomorrow at noon," Zoe says softly. "But Lu, I want you to know, I'll be right by your side. Every step of the way."
I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
"And after..." Zoe hesitates. "After, we'll figure something out. I promise. You won't be alone in this."
I know she means well, but there's nothing anyone can do. Once I'm Bruno's wife, that's it. Game over.
"I just keep thinking about Daniel," I admit. "What he must be feeling right now. Thinking I just... left him."
"You did what you had to do," Zoe says firmly.
"I know." I wipe away fresh tears. "But that doesn't make it hurt any less."
Zoe pulls me into another hug. "I'm so sorry, Lu. I'm so, so sorry."
I close my eyes, letting her hold me as I mourn everything I've lost. Everything I'll never have.
Daniel is alive. That's what matters. That's what I have to keep telling myself.
Even if it means I'll never be truly alive again.