“Nobody knows about this place,” I told her, the silence suffocating. “I bought it completely off the books. Cash only.”
“That’s good,” she answered, wrapping her arms around her swollen belly. I tried not to think about the danger we were in or the fact that I would do anything to keep her safe, punching at the buttons to get the elevator to move.
Once it had risen to the top floor, I threw back the door, helped her out, and flipped on the lights. The entire floor was mine, the soft glow giving Leda a view of the exposed brick wall and original hardwood floors that used to be part of an old factory.
After setting the numerous alarms and monitors that surrounded the building, I turned to face Leda. She was pale, far too pale, and my stomach twisted at the thought of what she was going through.
“I’m sorry.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“For putting you in danger,” I ground out. “And your family. I’m sorry. We will find them.” I would find them, even if it was the last thing I did.
Tears welled in her eyes again and I crossed the floor, pulling her against me.
“Don’t,” I said into her hair. “Please don’t cry. I can’t stand your tears.” Hell, I didn’t know what to do about her tears or how to help. Leda had been so strong up until now. But there would always be a breaking point.
“I’m sorry,” she answered, her voice muffled by my shirt. “I just—he’s going to do something awful to them. I can feel it.”
I rubbed my hand down the length of her spine, my jaw clenched. I knew what sorts of sadistic thoughts Carmine had for his son. Hell, Adrian was no better. They would stop at nothing to get their revenge and could not care less if women and children were involved. Nico’s entire family was in danger.
“I swear to you, we will find them.”
She pulled back, there were dark circles under her eyes.
“Are you sure about that, Lucas?” she asked, her voice clogged with emotion. “How can you be sure? He wants us all!”
“He’s not getting you,” I growled. “It’s not going to happen.”
She pushed away from me, tugging on the end of her ponytail nervously. “You can’t promise me that, Lucas.”
Leda was right. I couldn’t promise her that. “Then I will give my life to keep you safe.”
Leda let out a deep breath, meeting my gaze once more. “And what would happen to me? You have no idea what your death would do to me.” She looked down at her stomach, her hand resting slightly on the bump. “To us.”
She knew exactly what to do to bring me to my knees, but also to the startling reality that there was more to this war than there had been before. The child she carried was everything to me, everything that represented a new start for both of us.
A future.
“Can you show me the shower?” she asked quietly.
“Sure,” I forced out, leading her to the master bedroom that I rarely used. Walking over to the wardrobe, I opened the drawers to pull out a T-shirt and a pair of joggers for Leda. “Here,” I told her, handing the articles of clothing over. “I will get you some clothing as soon as I can.”
She took the bundle. “It’s fine. I prefer your clothing anyway right now.”
“Bathroom is through there,” I said, nodding to the closed door. “I’ll get us some food.”
Leda only nodded, and I watched as she moved through the door, closing it softly behind her. Every cell in my body told me to go after her, to join her in the shower and just forget, but I had to take care of Leda.
Not to mention, I knew she would be sobbing in the shower.