Chapter 27

 

Michael

 

It’s been two weeks since Zaira got her memories back. After the explosive blowup the night she remembered, I changed our travel plans and purchased tickets for us to return to New York the next day. We were supposed to go on our honeymoon the day after the wedding and fly to Cabo San Lucas for two weeks, but all that changed. She never even gave me the opportunity to explain.

We’ve not spoken since we returned, except for the many times she has asked me to release her from our marriage. I refuse. How can I let her go without her knowing the truth? The whole truth, not what her father brainwashed into her head. But she never lets me explain, and every time I try, she storms off. She won’t speak with anyone except Darius, which now I know is “D.” I was so fucking pissed when I found out it was him she called that I almost fired him on the spot. But Ricco talked me out of it, saying it was good she trusted him. She needed protection, and he could provide it. He also assured me Darius was loyal to the family and that would never falter. Reluctantly, I let it go. He is all she has right now. She won’t even talk to Vince, who has tried to make contact with her several times but has failed.

It’s our two-week wedding anniversary, and I’m sitting in my office beating myself up for making such a mess of my life. If I had only been honest with her from the beginning, this would have ended much better. Hell, it wouldn’t have ended; it would have been a beginning. My pop tried to warn me, and I wouldn’t listen. He looks at me with such despair, and I know he feels bad, but it fucking kills me that I’ve disappointed him.

My phone beeps. It’s Ricco.

Zaira wants to see you.

I reply:

Send her in.

The door opens, and Zaira walks in. Looking at her takes my breath away and breaks my heart at the same time. How could I fuck things up so badly? Doesn’t she know how much I love her and that I would never do the things she’s accusing me of? Well, I guess I did kill her father, but it was on her brother’s orders.

Before I can say anything, she says, “You have to let me go, Michael. I can’t stay with you, knowing what I know. It’s too much.”

How can I let her go? How can I just let her walk out of my life when I know she is the only woman for me?

“Do you really expect me to let you go? I love you, Zaira, and I know you love me. You’re just angry and upset, but in time, things will look differently. You’ll see,” I reply.

“It’s not so simple, Michael. I know you love me, and I will not deny that I love you, but you’re a liar and worse, a murderer. How do you expect me to forgive you for killing my parents? It’s unforgiveable, Michael.” She pauses and takes a deep breath, and tears continue to fall down her cheeks.

Everything in me wants to take her in my arms and comfort her, but I know if I do, she will push me away.

“I love you so much, Michael, and I hate that you can hurt me so much. Everything you did where my parents are concerned, you did to me. It was personal, Michael, and you have destroyed us.”

I decide that now is the time she is going to listen to me whether she likes it or not. I walk to the door and open it. I whisper to Ricco, “Lock this door until I tell you to unlock it.”

He nods, and I close the door. I hear the lock click.

“Zaira, I’ve tried to explain to you so many times, and you would never let me. Now, you’re gonna listen.”

“No!” she demands. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.” She walks toward the door and tries to open it, and of course it doesn’t. She looks at me incredulously. “Now you’re locking me in?”

“I’m sorry, but it’s the only way I can get you to listen. Just hear me out, please.”

“Do I really have a choice?” she says and sits in one of the chairs, looking defeated.

“I didn’t kill your mother. Nor did any member of my family.”

“Really, you’ve already said that a dozen times, Michael. Tell me something I haven’t heard.”

“A few weeks ago, you asked me to get revenge for your parent’s death, and I promised you I would. Do you remember?”

She nods.

“I made that promise because I’d already gotten your revenge. Your father and Victor had Maria killed. It was a plot between the two of them to destroy my family, to destroy my father and everything he stood for. I hadn’t known it at the time, but when we took Carmine and Armino, they finally confessed. They were privy to the whole scheme. The Vitalis had nothing to do with the murder of your mother, but we avenged her death by killing Victor and your father. And…I’m not sorry.”

She shakes her head. “Look at you. You’re ruthless. You admit to killing my father, and yet you show no remorse. Even if what you say is true, even if my father did murder my mother, which I find highly unlikely, you’re heartless by your actions. You’ve killed people, Michael. You’re a murderer.”

“Really, Zaira, are you really going to be that naïve? You grew up in this world. You know what our families are about, what we do. Do you really believe your father’s hands were clean? Hell, even Vince? You yourself even wanted to avenge their deaths. It’s how our world works, Zaira, and you know it.”

“But he was my father, Michael!” she cries.

“He was a sadistic son of a bitch, Zaira. He physically and emotionally abused you and Mia. How can you stand there and defend him when you know—you remember—exactly what he was like?”

“Because he never lied to me,” she says, and I realize I’m losing this fight. I can continue to fight back, but it’ll get us nowhere. Her mind is made up. “Just let me go, Michael. Accept that we’re just not meant to be. Give me the divorce so we can put this all behind us.”

Devastated by the finality of her words, I realize I will not ever get through to her. Nothing will make her see the truth, and so, defeated, I say the only thing I can. “You’re free to go, Zaira. You can have your divorce. I won’t contest it.” I text Ricco to tell him to unlock the door.

As much as I want her to stay, I can’t force her. I want her to want to be here. I want her to love me of her own free will. I want her to know without any doubts that I’m not the monster she thinks I am.

I love her.

And the right thing to do now is to let her go.

“Michael,” she says, surprised. I don’t think she ever expected me to give in. She stands and stares at me but doesn’t say any more. Finally she turns to leave, and my heart begins a slow process of shattering as I watch her walk out of my life.

“Zaira,” I call after her in a last attempt to get her to see me for the man I am.

She stops walking but doesn’t turn.

“Soon you will realize I’m not your enemy.” I pause. “Yes, I’m the man who lied to you, but I’m also the man who loves you beyond all reason. I’m the man who will lay down his own life for you. And I’m the man who killed for you.”

She doesn’t move. Her back is still facing the door, and I can hear her sobbing.

“And I want you to remember, I’d do it all again if it meant you were safe and protected.”

She wipes her eyes, stands up straight, takes a deep breath, and continues to walk proudly toward the door. When she reaches it, she touches the knob and hesitates.

Is she coming back? I ask myself. Suddenly I’m hopeful as I wait patiently for her to make her move. But all hope is shattered when she turns the knob, walks through the door, and closes it behind her.

 

 

 

To be continued…