Always.
Epilogue
Elena
I stare down at my small rounding bump. I’m pregnant. I still can’t believe it. Not long after the shootout with my father did Julian and I discover we were having a baby. And every day, I stare down at my belly with wonderment, watching as it grows each day. It’s still shocking that Julian and I will be parents in six months. Me, the princess from the ivory tower who found freedom with her captor. Him, the mafia made man, that shows only strength and never weakness.
To imagine him with our children, wrapped tightly around their tiny fingers. It makes my giddy with excitement. I know he will be an amazing father, even if he doesn’t yet believe in himself.
“You’ve smoothed your hand down the front of your sundress ten times now. Is something wrong, beautiful?”
I shake my head. “No, nothing is wrong. I’m just not used to the bump or the way my body is changing. Somedays, I feel huge, and others I don’t feel like I’m pregnant at all.”
Julian crosses the space between us and wraps his arms around me. His hands come to rest gently on my belly, and my stomach flutters as if there are a thousand butterflies inside of it.
“Personally, I would like it if you lost the dress and walked around the house naked, but unless you want me to kill every person in this house, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Whirling around in his arms, I look up at him. “I agree. There has been enough bloodshed on these floors as of lately.”
A shadow crosses Julian’s face. Ever since Lucca’s betrayal came to light, he’s been even warier of his men. I know he feels that if Markus was here, my father never would’ve gotten in, but then he wouldn’t be dead either. We’d still be looking over our shoulders, wondering when the next attack was coming. He says Lucca is a traitor, but I understand why he did what he did. I can’t fault someone for protecting someone they love.
I would do the same, would I not?
“I will always be here to protect you. Nothing will ever happen to you or our child.”
“You can’t protect me from everything, Julian.”
“I can, and I will.”
All I can do is roll my eyes. “Where are we going for dinner?” I ask, wanting to change the subject and divert it away from us.
“Our favorite spot, of course.” He winks and leads me outside to the terrace.
As soon as we walk out, I gasp. The table is decked like usual, but there are candles placed all around the table and along the rail. The outside lights are shut off, so the only light is coming from the hundreds of candles.
“How romantic. I didn’t think you had it in you.” I grin.
“I had help. Plus, it’s a special night.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, sit down, and I’ll tell you.” He pulls out a chair for me, and I take it, wondering what he could possibly want to talk to me about.
“What is it, Julian? Is everything alright?”
“Yes.” He takes the seat across from me. “I realize that I’ve always made choices for you, and before that, your father did the same. I know you have been longing to be free, and even though I can’t give you all the freedom you deserve, I do want to ask you… What do you want, Elena?”
For a moment, all I can do is stare at him. What do I want?
Those words are foreign to me. No one ever asks me what I want. So, what do I want?
“I want to be with you.”
“And that will never change.” Julian gives me a knowing grin. “But what about beyond that? What do you want for your life? Do you want to go to school? Study? Do you want a career, or will you be content being a wife and mother? I don’t want you to feel trapped, and I don’t want to control every part of your life. I want you to have hopes and dreams, be free as much as I can let you, without risking your safety.”
“I don’t know what to say…” Seriously. I’m speechless. “Honestly, I’ve never thought about it.”
“Good thing, you have all the time in the world now.”
Julian’s phone rings, interrupting the moment. He curses under his breath and shakes his head.
“Of course, he would choose now to call…” he growls. “Nice to hear from you, how is your…” He pauses, and the voice on the other end fills the phone. “What are you talking about? Wait… I see. Yes, I suppose I can help.” Julian hangs up the phone and turns to me, a devilish glint in his eyes. “That was Markus. He needs help, killing someone.”
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Cruel Obsession Sneak Peak
CHAPTER ONE
Dove
Paranoia skates down my spine as I walk a little bit faster down the sidewalk. The cold night air fills my lungs, and my heartbeat thuds loudly in my ears. All I can see and feel is that creeper from the party coming up to me and grabbing my wrist. His fingers biting into my flesh. The smell of alcohol on his breath as he spoke into my face.
“Dance with me…” He didn’t ask, he demanded, and there was no way I was going anywhere with him, so I kicked him in the nuts and left the party. But now I can’t help but feel like he’s following me.
Reaching the end of the sidewalk, I chance looking over my shoulder. My gaze falls on nothing but darkness. The light pole above my head does very little to illuminate the street, and when I look back again before crossing the street, I find someone walking toward me.
Panic bubbles up inside of me, and this time, I start running. The air rips through my hair, and my lungs burn as fear implants itself deep in my gut.
Run. Don’t look back. Just keep running.
Cutting down a side street, I hope to throw the guy off, but as I continue running, I can still hear his footfalls behind me. This has to be a nightmare, something I’ll wake up from any second now.
Glancing over my shoulder, I realize it’s anything but a dream. My eyes catch on the plaid pattern of the man’s shirt. Instantly, I know this is the creep from the party. Shit. Instinct tells me to run, but deep in my gut, I know what I should do.
My hands shake as I try and pull my phone out to dial 9-1-1, but my fingers slip over the sleek device, and I keep putting the wrong passcode in. Panting, I make it underneath an illuminating streetlamp and force shallow breaths into my lungs.
A grunting sound meets my ears, and when I look over my shoulder again, the man is gone. Just gone, vanished like he wasn’t there at all.
Dazed, I stare at the exact spot he was in, fearing he’ll reappear any second, but he doesn’t. A strange calmness washes over me. It makes zero sense, but I don’t dwell on it long enough to digest it. Instead, I shove my phone back into my pocket and run the rest of the way home.
By the time I reach my apartment, the exertion is evident, I’m gasping, and a sheen of sweat has formed against my forehead. I fumble with my keys, almost dropping them before finally getting the damn door open. Once inside, I slam the door closed and lock it before turning and sagging against the door.