Page 104 of His Dark Demands
Roman stepped forward. “Ciro, let go of him.”
I shoved Luca away. My fucking heart hammered in my chest, nostrils flaring. I was so damn angry at my brother for pointing out the truth. Nobody liked being called out, me especially.
But I was the head of the family,the Don, and my little brother should know when to keep his fucking mouth shut.
“I want Isla and Pippa in our lives,” Luca said in between breaths. “If you don’t love her, be straight with her. Don’t give her false hope. Because I warn you, brother. If you hurt her again, I will kick your motherfucking ass!”
“Luca!” Rosa yelled after him as he stormed out of the study. “I’ll talk to him.” My sister waddled out of the room, and Wolf followed her.
I’d never seen my brother so angry. I wondered if hisprotectiveness had to do with him falling for Isla at the same time I had. She’d chosen me, but I wouldn’t worry about that now. It might lead me down a self-destructive path, one where I gave up Isla so she could be with Luca. He didn’t fear love as much as I did.
What was I thinking?
Isla would never be with my brother, and I sure as hell couldn’t stand seeing her with him or any other man.
“He’ll be fine. He just needs time to cool down.” Padre waved his hand in the hair and reached for his glass of water.
“I need to go.” I paced with my hands on my head. I was done trying to explain the situation. Isla was my issue. Nobody else’s. Of course, my family was ready to do whatever it took to help her, but frankly, I didn’t want their help. I needed to fix what I’d broken. One way or another, I’d get her and my daughter under our roof. “Don’t interfere, Padre. I will fix this.”
“Good.” His tired eyes were full of disappointment.
I turned away, ashamed and furious with myself.
“Come on.” Roman put his hand on my back.
I had figured he’d want to talk privately. He wasn’t one for making a scene. I could count on him not blowing up at me, unlike Luca.
We went outside into the dark night. I inhaled the cool air and held it in my lungs for a long second. Suddenly I was exhausted. I needed Isla. I wanted to hold her. Kiss her. Make love to her.
Roman put his hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“No.”
“I’d say let’s go out for a drink, but what you really need is rest.” He patted my back. “You look like shit.”
“I feel like shit too. I hardly slept at Isla’s. I’m fucking miserable without them.”
“I can see that. Don’t you think that’s a sign they belong with you?” Roman asked.
“I know they do and I want them with me. But Jesus, if something happened to either of them because of me, I couldn’t live with myself.”
“People die every second of every day. You’re a good person. A bit of a selfish ass at times and stubborn as hell, but that doesn’t make you the cause of your mother’s or Julietta’s death.”
“Padre is the one who said, ‘It’s always the ones we love that are taken from us,’ when he cried, hugging me that day.” I wished I could forget the sound of his brokenness the day my mother was murdered.
“And that’s why you need to talk to a counselor or therapist. You were only five when she was murdered. Padre’s words imprinted on your young brain. You were traumatized. Then your best friend died when you were an impressionable teen. Give yourself a break, man.”
“Yeah, I don’t see that happening. I’m going to bed. Tomorrow, I’ll figure it all out after our meeting with Kira and Wolf.” I peered at the guest house where Kira was staying. Before I brought Isla and Pippa to Canada, I wanted Kira and his men gone.
“I’m sure you will. If you need anything, just ask.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” I squeezed his bicep.
“Let’s grab a late dinner tomorrow.”
“Sure.” I stalked toward the front door, stopped and turned around to face Roman. “I can’t lose them.”
“You won’t, brother.” Roman had better be right.
