Chapter 38: Chapter 38
As if repulsed by the mere mention of the name I flinch back unintentionally causing Elijah's eyes to watch me in concern, his brows furrows deeply assessing my profile. This was not what I was expecting to fly out of his lips, not when I am this happy in my haven. He is in a place where it all started for me; Elijah, the Russian mafia, the night I conceive our child.
Miami just held so many good memories over the bad ones for me so why does he want to taint it.
What is he doing in Miami? Does he want to create an ambush for us because I eavesdrop the other day on Elijah and Alexei conversation about one of their warehouse raided by an agent of the law. Is he trying to get Elijah behind international bars. I won't survive it if anything happens to him. What will happen if it was all a ploy to arrest him and plead guilty only to attack the Italian mafia now Lucien and I have taken over. What will happen to my child?
"Nia?" Watching me closely buried in my own thoughts, a slight migraine builds up feeling the room suddenly begins to spin in my eyes.
"I need a glass of water." Mumbling softly, I watch as he hastened up and in a flash he is back with the glass of water guiding me to the bed to have my sit. Directing the rim to my lips, I drink out of the soothing water till the glass is empty. Fluffing a pillow, he helps me lie down before standing erect watching me expressionless and arms akimbo. My skin crawls under his penetrating gaze, facts given if he smells a whiff of weakness Elijah will personally lock me up in one of his safe houses till it is all over but I do not want that. This is also my fight.
Sighing. "What happens?" Scared of what he will say to me still rather keeping an open mind.
He replies pulling his phone out of his pant pocket glancing at it briefly fishing it back inside. "Alexei is currently on his way to the states, he will keep track of his location till we get there." Nodding, my eyes shut voluntarily knowing his greys gaze on me cautiously. A heavy breath I didn't know I held in escapes at the deep meaning of the word 'we'. That only made me feel relief he wasn't going along with the plan my head created.
"Thank you." I whisper opening my eyes to see his eyes still trained on me. "Come here." Stretching my hand for him to take it which he did sitting beside where I lie. Behind the
exterior, I know he is worried and concerned the baby is taking a huge toll on me which indeed is true but he doesn't need to know that. The bump now very visible puts a smile to my face everytime I look at it. I just can't wait to have him in my arms.
"I want to keep you safe because it became part of my natural instincts since that fateful night and I can't do that if you go about carelessly acting batman series on me." The humorless joke creates a smile on my face giving a slight nod and a pout. "Everything I do is for you and to keep you safe but you must promise me something?" The edge in his voice shows how serious he is. How deep he wants me to adhere to his instructions and go by it for my safety. For the past months Elijah has changed, from enforcing rules on me and me ever being the irresponsible runaway, we now have a good commuted relationship where he speaks to me with caution and I follow all for the safety of our family. We have grown past the stage of fighting, quarreling and daring each other's wits out of our bones. "You have to stop if it gets too much for the baby. Promise me."
This have me thinking of all the possibility of things getting out of control with the bastard Leandro. All this is because of envy and jealousy, just because he is not a Vatore does not mean he will not allow himself to be scorned by a Russian. Leandro said he once lost what was rightfully his and he won't lose for the second time especially to a Russian. Last night I received an anonymous letter and a box which contains a dead rose. The note simply writes...
"Questa è la mia scelta."
In bold italics after reading the meaning behind the words, I knew who the note and the withered rose belonged to. Santiago has drawn the finish line. This is his choice.
The people I once called my family turned foes over the years, the people I loved without fault placed a bounty or an ultimatum on my head. Threatening the existence of the empire my father built and the family I seek for out of hatred and jealousy. Taking the note and rose walking to the fire place throwing them inside, I watch as they burn cackling with the burning wood. There I made a decision, if loosing two more persons will grant me the sanity of youth then I will do so without a blink.
My eyes snaps back to Elijah determined more than ever. "I promise." His lips twitch up devilishly handsome but yet scary.
"Santiago has made his choice." For once at the mention of his name, he looks at me solemnly knowing how much it will hurt me if he stood against us. Positive he wanted the exact reaction he got out of Santiago but for my sake he wanted to believe Santiago will stick to my side. He didn't.
Sitting up, he muse. "Tell me princess, tell Papi what you want him to do." A dangerous glint on his face waiting to unleash the devil behind those eyes. I didn't want it to get to this stage but Santiago pose as a threat to our union, our future, my family. Mama and Papa took a blind eye towards Alejandro and see where it led the Vatore's to our death. I won't take my chances with Santiago. He just have to go.
Meeting his hard gaze, I confirm. "I need you to protect our family...at all cost." It was like I set the devil loose as his face morphs into a sinister grin, one crazy to once again kill for me. Elijah is the devil you never want to come across even in your dreams. I fell in love with the devil that took souls for my happiness so what does that makes me? His Queen.