34. Mauro #2
She turns in closer to me. “Around the same time that your father passed, I started to notice that my father seemed…different. At first, I thought it was just stress. But I soon realized it was…more than that. It started small. One time, he put ice cream in the cabinet. Another time, he couldn’t find his car in a parking garage in the city.
The littlest things would set him off, putting him in a foul mood for the rest of the day.
Or he would walk into a room, forgetting what he was doing.
So, I asked, no, I begged him to go to the doctors, and he finally did.
” She hesitates before saying, “He was diagnosed with early-onset dementia. The doctors told me that someone in his condition, on average, has about four to ten years of life left, but that there was no real way of knowing. That’s when my world crashed. ”
My heart splinters for her.
I can’t believe she’s been going through all of this.
Alone.
“His retirement was merely a cover-up to keep his condition from becoming known. He made me promise not to tell anyone, because he feared being seen as weak, even though that’s the last thing he is. So, I kept his secret. I never told a soul until right now.”
She swipes a finger under her eyes.
And that’s when the missing puzzle piece clicks into place.
The day you found out was the day on the cliff.
It’s not a question, but a statement.
Because I know.
I feel it in the depth of my heart.
That was the day the two of us were at our lowest. When the universe took a chance by bringing us together. Connecting our lives in a way that would never be the same again.
She nods as more tears pool in her eyes.
“Over the years, the costs were piling up. Between my school and his medical bills, I couldn’t keep up.
I started working at Darkest Desires because the pay was better than anywhere else in the area.
And a few weeks before Christmas, I was leaving my shift when Kazimir found me.
I… I somehow had hoped they would never learn that I was related to them, but they did.
So, he came on his own and cornered me in the alley.
I guess they found out about the will and took it upon themselves to ensure they got the land.
To be honest, I thought he was going to kill me that night.
But instead, he left me with a warning. Get married and sign over the land, which they would pay me for, ensuring I would be able to afford all of my father’s medical expenses, or they were going to kill my father.
Of course, I agreed. I mean, it’s not like I had a choice.
I was even a little hopeful that they might follow through on their end by paying me out, but that was na?ve of me. ”
She sighs. “And then you happened. I felt horrible about lying to you, not telling you the real reason why I needed to get married, but I… I had to do whatever I could to ensure my father’s safety, and I’m sorry,” she breathes.
I know, and you don’t need to apologize. I brush her hair behind her ear, rubbing my thumb across her cheek as I tilt to the side and press my lips to her forehead.
“Everything was all set. I was on track to inherit that land, but when you told me what they had been trying to do and that they were looking into obtaining the Alaskan port, I realized why they wanted it so desperately, and I couldn’t go through with it.
I told Kazimir that, but I thought I would have time to go get my dad and bring him to your house, where I would explain everything to you, but I underestimated them and was too late. ”
I stare up at the ceiling, digesting every bit of information she just gave me.
I can’t wait to get my hands on Kazimir. On all the fucking Vasilievs.
“I’m pretty sure that’s everything.” She sniffles.
“I need you to know how sorry I am for all of this, Mauro. Blackmail or not, I never meant for you and your brothers to be involved with this. I never meant…” Her eyes drift to the bandage on my side.
“I never meant for you to get hurt…because of me.” She rolls in her bottom lip, peering up at me.
“If… If you’ve changed your mind about staying married to me, I understand,” she says softly.
She thinks I want this marriage to end?
But it can’t.
Not when she is the light to my dark, and I will never know true happiness again without her by my side.
She is the air that feeds my lungs.
Every heartbeat that echoes in my chest.
“My…wife,” I get out with force, my words swirling around us. I lean forward, kissing her like it’s everything I need to stay alive. Holding her in my arms like she’s the only thing keeping me grounded to this bed.
I love this woman more than my heart ever knew it was capable of, but somehow, it does.
It beats for her.
It keeps going for her.
It loves her.
I pull back just enough to whisper, “I…love.” I pause, giving my throat a second of reprieve before saying, “You.”
Her lips curve up, a beautiful smile erupting. “I love you,” she says before pressing her lips to mine.
“Get a room.” Vin’s deep voice extends from the doorway, causing us both to look over and see my whole damn family entering the room.
Alina tries to pull away, but I clasp a hand around her waist, keeping her pressed against me.
Never letting her go.
“Oh, Mauro!” My mother forces her way through everyone, sobbing. “I’ve been so worried about you!” She stands by my side, clutching my hand in a death grip.
“You gave us all quite the scare,” Leo tells me, dragging his fingers over the top of his head.
Scarlett stands by his side, wiping her eyes. “You both did.”
Alina blinks back tears. “I’m okay.” She looks at me. “We’re okay.”
Madeleine stands beside Alina, taking her hand. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“I know, and I’m sorry,” she says softly, her voice breaking toward the end. “I didn’t mean to—”
Madeleine wraps her arms around her arm. “Just shut up and let me awkwardly hug you.”
Alina laughs, patting the top of Madeleine’s head.
“Can everyone give us a moment?” Vin asks, his eyes on me. Without hesitation, everyone says their goodbyes and tells me they’ll be back soon to check on me before they leave.
Vin steps up to the end of my bed, his fingers gripping the railing.
“I should give you two a minute.” Alina kisses my cheek. I don’t stop her as she gracefully maneuvers her body off the bed.
“Wait,” Vin starts. “Before you go, I want to say something to you.”
She inches closer to the bed, her arms wrapping around her stomach. “Vin, I’m truly sorry for—”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I’m sorry. From the beginning, I thought this marriage was a sham, but for the wrong reasons.
I doubted you, when you’ve always been one of us, Alina.
” He drags his fingers through his hair.
“From the little pieces I’ve been presented with, I know you didn’t have a choice in the matter.
And I’m only sorry you had to go through this. ”
Her wide eyes blink a few times. “I, umm.” She clears her throat, quickly glancing at me and then back at Vin. “Thank you.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets. “That port is rightfully yours. But if you need help with running it, you know who to come to.”
Her arms drop to her sides. “Actually, I think I’ll take you up on that.
I don’t know the first thing about running a port, and I know you’ll manage it well.
” She looks at me and reaches her hand my way, intertwining our fingers.
“Besides, I have some things I need to take care of first.” She lightly squeezes my hand and then walks away, exiting through the door, shutting it softly behind her.
Vin rubs a hand over his scruff, his eyes appearing heavy as he steps forward.
“You scared the hell out of me, brother.” He turns and stares out the window.
“The moment Kazimir struck that knife in you, I saw your life escaping through your eyes.” He shakes his head, dropping his shoulders before turning to look at me with fear coating his bright blue irises.
“And a world without you…” He pinches the bridge of his nose, taking a long breath.
“Don’t ever fucking put me through that again. ”
Before I can stop them, tears gather in my eyes, and I quickly wipe the back of my hand across them.
He steps closer to the bed and sits on the side of it, sighing.
“I saved Kazimir for you. Figured you’d like to let out some of that wrath still simmering inside you.
Unfortunately, Mikhail and Emil slipped away in their jet during the chaos, leaving their brother behind for slaughter.
” He pats my arm and then turns his somber gaze to the floor.
“It seems the war has officially started.”
I reach for the pad of paper and pen on the table beside me and write, We won’t let them win.
“We won’t.”
I quickly scribble, You saved my life. I grip his shoulder. “Thank…you,” I say in a thick, raspy tone.
He slides his hand around the back of his neck, squeezing his muscles. “You don’t thank your family.” He grins. “But be honest, who has the better shot? Me or Alex?”
I roll my eyes, the corners of my lips tilting up.
“Guess I should give him a break. The poor guy can’t even seem to keep a nanny for more than a few days. He’s currently firing one as we speak.”
I scoff. This doesn’t surprise me, given his love for cleanliness and his need to always be in control.
“So,” Vin starts, “will you and Alina be staying married?”
I adjust my head on the pillow and nod.
From the beginning, I never planned on ending it.
Not when she was always meant to be mine.
I can’t help the tiny grin that breaks free on my face from just thinking about her.