Page 134 of Obsessed by My Ex's Mafia Uncle

“Robert.” I gasp.

“My wife, my son, and most of the staff.” He continues. “I was responsible for all of them,” he adds, his voice quieter now, but not breaking. “Every single one.”

My throat shrinks, tears he won't shed building up inside of me.

“I knew it wasn’t an accident,” he continues. “Not even for a second.”

He bites his lower lip, muttering something under his breath.

“I had… provoked someone whose son crossed a line by sexually abusing Atelia.” He adds. “I made an example of him by cutting off his fingers.”

At this point I want to go to him, but I hold back.

Let him finish.

“I didn’t think he knew where my family was,” he adds. “I made sure of that. Or at least… I thought I did.”

He exhales slowly.

“But I was wrong.”

“It’s…”

“I buried them,” he cuts me off, almost absently. “And I buried everything else with them.”

He drags in a deep breath. Then exhales just as deeply.

“That’s why I wanted to stay away.” He finally looks at me. Really looks this time. “Because I don't want to hurt her.” His jaw ticks slightly,

Suddenly, everything makes sense.

Too much sense.

My arms loosen without me realizing it and my feet move, closing the distance slowly.

When I reach him, I don’t think. I just wrap my arms around him.

He stills for a second. Then his arms come around me, crushing me.

“I’m sorry,” I breathe against him.

And I mean it.

For all of it.

For something I can’t even fully carry.

He pulls back first, reaching for the bag beside him.

“I brought food.” He lifts it and places it into my hands like that’s what he came here for.

It almost makes me smile knowing he's trying to mask the moment.

“Give me another shot.” His expression melts, pleading.

I look at him.

At the man who comes with fire in his past and danger stitched into his present.