Her eyes widen, but I sense it’s more out of frustration and irritation for me than anything else.
The feeling is mutual.
I hope I don’t regret my decision.
Her eyes narrow like she’s about to yell at me or throw something, but the only thing in her grasp is the towel secured around her body. And it’s unlikely she’ll let that drop anytime soon. Her grip is like life or death, and she’s not going to let me see her naked again.
“You’re free to leave.”
“What?” she asks.
My comment catches her off-guard.
“You and the twins are free to leave the complex if that’s what you want.” I won’t hold her captive or against her will. Bringing her here had been for her safety, not that she’d ever see it that way.
“Just like that? No strings attached?”
She doesn’t believe me, and why should she? I’m not the most forthcoming or honest man in New York City.
“I’ll set you up with an apartment in the city, a place of your own. There will be a guard to ensure that your brother and his men don’t cause you or the kids any problems. But I want to know my children,” I say. “However, I won’t keep them here at the expense of my selfishness.”
Her eyes tighten, and her gaze flickers toward the adjoining door. “This isn’t a trick?” she asks as she keeps one hand gripped on the towel and opens the adjoining bedroom door with her other hand.
She glances in on them, satisfied that they’re playing quietly together.
“I can’t promise that we’ll share custody, but if you’d like to visit with them, we can make arrangements,” Aleksandra says.
“I’ll leave you to change and pack your things,” I say, opening the door to the hallway.
“Antonio.” Her voice is soft, pensive.
I glance back over my shoulder at her. “Yes?”
“Thank you.”
I don’t say a word. What can I say? I’m doing this for her, but I’m not entirely selfless. I shut the door and step out into the hallway.
Ardian is waiting for me. His expression is grim. I’m not sure whether he disapproves of my methods or there’s something else he’s keeping from me.
“Is it done?” I ask.
* * *
Aleksandra has no car, no mode of transportation since we abducted her. I hate seeing things from her perspective, realizing that she deems me a monster because I just might be one.
I’m the bad guy—the man of nightmares.
But I wasn’t always this way. Roberto made me what I am, ruthless. I have him to thank for corrupting my childhood, stealing me from my biological parents, and raising me as his own.
My childhood was fucked up.
And I don’t want that to be what Sophia and Liam experience.
Instead, I’ll give them a place of sanctuary, a home of their own, away from the bratva and the mafia. They can have a normal childhood, away from fear, danger, and terror.
“Is that all you're bringing?” I ask, glancing at the twins with the clothes on their back. Aleksandra didn’t bother to pack a suitcase for the twins or herself.
The clothes, the toys, all that I’ve purchased, she’s chosen to abandon.