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“LET’S GO HOME AND SEE our kids,” Luca proposes while Tez hangs from the railing, spluttering incoherently.

I look at Luca’s hand, realizing that the brutality inflicted on Tez placates my mind. And I refuse to feel any guilt over it – that’s how much I’ve changed. However, while Luca’s revenge pleases me, his betrayal has left scars on my heart.

“I just want my kids,” I repeat.

“Cam will bring the twins to the penthouse,” Adriano answers around a sincere smile, and I don’t think he even realizes how grateful I am for his interference.

“Thank you,” I whisper, and he glimpses at both of us as he speaks, “Don’t ever keep things from me again. Next time, I won’t fix it.”

Wavering under his menacing scowl, I nod before he solely addresses Luca, “If you lie to me again, I’ll strip your rank and this friendship is over.”

“I know,” Luca responds evenly, his façade rebuilding quickly.

Then he offers his hand again, but I pass him without taking it, his expression saddening as I leave the room. He follows me out and leads the way to the front entrance where a guard’s waiting in his car to drive us home.

***

IT’S WELL PAST MIDNIGHT when Luca and I step inside our apartment. Cam’s just arrived, because I see her unbuckling the belts of the car seat while the babies are lying in it on the oak coffee table.

“Hey,” she greets. “They’re tired but have been fed and changed.”

Loosening the belt of my coat, I notice that the hardwood floor is shining and has been mopped clean. A taupe blanket has been strategically thrown over one edge of the couch to hide the bloodstains. There isn’t a trace of a crime scene to be found – the Syndicate soldiers have taken care of it.

Tossing my coat on the sofa, I lean forward to unzip Milana’s pink coat while she sleeps peacefully, and I lift her up when Luca focuses his attention on Noah.

“I’m going to go. Adriano will be home soon. Bye,” Cam says to me and Luca, who gives her a brief thanks, and I walk her to the elevator where she asks in a low voice, “Are you okay? Adriano told me what happened.”

“Yeah, I’m fine now.” I hug Milana to me.

“Okay, we’ll talk later,” she suggests before going into the elevator, glancing at us and, no doubt, picking up on our nervous vibes.

Treading back to the couch, I sit down to hold Milana against my chest, pushing my nose into her soft hair and inhaling her sweet baby scent. Slowly, I relax, a tear streaming down my cheek as my mind tries to cope with the ordeal of the past few weeks. At last, I feel free again, yet my resentment toward Luca remains strong.

Setting Noah on his arm, Luca runs his finger down his nose, his striking face marked with anguish. Glancing at me, he starts, “We need to talk.”

“Now you want to talk? I wanted to talk this morning, but you dismissed me. You failed me,” I retort, pressing my lips against my daughter’s hair.

“I know that. And it hurts me that I did. I should’ve believed you,” he finally speaks the words I’ve longed to hear.

Unfortunately, it’s too late. “I can’t just pretend this didn’t happen. You sedated me!”

His green eyes round. “Adriano did that.”

“Oh,” is all that comes out of me.

“I’d never do that,” he grinds out, rocking Noah while warming his little hand, and seeing Luca’s large fist enclosing Noah’s tiny one makes me want to cry.

How can he be gentle now, yet he was so harshly dismissive to me. Because of the alcohol and the bartender, which are two subjects Luca seems to forget. Besides, as a member of this cold-blooded world, I can get past the cruelty of today, but I can’t forget how my husband bailed on me when I needed him most. Palming my forehead, I scratch my brow in indecision. His presence now only saddens me more, and after this hectic day, I’m exhausted and my bruised nose and knees throb.

“The Luca from before we had kids would never do any of this to me. Do you still love me?” I ask on a shaky breath.

Shock coats his expression as he says determinedly, “Of course! I never stopped.”

“Sometimes I wonder if you have stopped. I feel like you deserted me after Noah’s accident.”

Luca’s posture becomes taut, his eyes narrowing. “I didn’t, but I’m so glad you calmed down and came back home.”

“I didn’t leave by choice. You made me run by not believing me. I’m the one you should’ve trusted, but you’ll always choose the Syndicate over me.”

“Never! I did everything to protect you.”

“No, I did everything to protect us, and then Adriano helped me,” I counter as his face becomes a mask of regret. With Milana on my arm, I rise and add, “I’m tired and I’d like to be alone. Will you sleep on the couch?”

“What?” He scalds me with an incredulous look.

“If you don’t sleep on the couch, I will,” I assert, and it’s as if I can feel the heat of his scowl searing through me.