To disappear into the darkness of my mind and let it consume me.
“You call this protecting her?” he barked as he gathered me up and carried me out of the room. He placed me on the bed and sat next to me as I curled up into a tight ball.
I couldn’t do this anymore.
I wanted to go away, anywhere, and forget about the Golden Skulls, my birth father, the Vultures, Jekyll, and everything else.
I just wanted to be me.
Whoever that was.
“Cara, please stop crying. I don’t like to see you like this.”
Gio.
Of course, it would be him. A man who didn’t know me from Adam stepped in to protect me, even from myself. He was as honorable as everyone said. He was so much like my brother in that regard. No matter what the man felt or thought, his manners towards another human being were above reproach. He was a true gentleman, and I was no lady. I never would be. My past wouldn’t let me be. I had no right to ask him for anything, but I couldn’t stop myself. I had to get away from everything. I needed time to understand, compartmentalize, and think about what I would do next. With Kitty gone and my brother hurt, I was the only one left who knew anything. I needed time. Time to get my head back on straight.
Looking up at the man who offered me protection, I cried, “Take me away from here, Gio. Take me somewhere, anywhere where no one knows me.”
When the man nodded, I closed my eyes and let all my demons come forward as the grief and pain of the past couple of years gripped me so hard it took my breath away.
I don’t know how long I slept or cried, but when I opened my eyes again, I found myself staring at sheer white curtains as they blew in a soft, warm breeze. The air was warm as I could see the waves as they moved towards a white sandy beach. Beautiful flowering trees slowly moved as the wind whipped around them. Birds chirped musically and flitted around. A soft floral scent waifs through the air.
Sitting up in the large bed, I find myself only in my bra and panties. Reaching for the white sheet, I cover myself, wrapping it around me as I get out of the comfortable bed. I don’t know where I am, but something about the place calls to me.
Strolling out of the bedroom, I couldn’t take my eyes off the ocean before me. Transfixed almost as if the water was calling me, I walked towards it.
It’s stunning.
I followed a path that led to a few stairs. Walking down them, I felt like crying again when my feet touched the warm golden sand. Moving closer to the water’s edge, I stopped when the warmth of the water touched my toes. I don’t know where I am, nor do I care.
The view before me is breathtaking. Everywhere I look is water. Almost as if I am surrounded by it. Cocooned in its embrace. For the first time in my life, I feel safe. As if I can finally breathe.
Standing there, I watch the waves flow and glide in perpetual motion that is mesmerizing.
I’m transfixed, hypnotized by its beauty.
I didn’t know where I was, and I didn’t care.
All I knew was that I was never leaving.
18
Giovanni
Watching her from the house, I said nothing as the last few days tormented my mind. When I heard her scream, something in me broke as I raced into the next room to find her surrounded by the Golden Skulls. None of them doing anything. They all just stood around her, watching her lose herself, as she fell deep within her mind.
Whatever happened in the short time the Skulls were with her, they broke her. The woman I knew was no longer the strong woman I remembered. A wave of anger I never felt roared to life, compelling me to defend her. Reaching her, I took her in my arms and glared at the men before me.
No one said a word. I gathered her in my arms and took her away from them.
She was mine to protect.
And when she asked me to take her away from everything, I eagerly did so.
I worried for her. We have been on my family’s private island for three days now, and she had been sleeping the whole time. Whatever had taken hold of her mind had a firm grip. Her nightmares were soul-crushing as I was forced to sleep in her room in case, she needed me…and she did, many times.
I had considered flying in a doctor to see her but thought better of it. She wanted space, a place where no one would know her, and I would honor that request.