And then I heard her voice. “Either you are extremely brave or extremely stupid coming back to Jumping Jack Power Plant to meet,” Nayla said.
I turned around and resisted the urge to march over to her and take her in my arms. She was absolutely stunning. She wore all black and her long hair flowed down her back. She had makeup on but not too much. Classy, elegant, and yet she had an innocent charm about her.
“It’s a crime scene, you know?” she added.
“I know.”
She fidgeted with her hands in front of her and continued to reposition her weight from one foot to the other. “What if they find you? Or followed me here?” She looked around the bullet-riddled room. “You might not be so lucky to get away this time.”
“I know.”
Her eyes connected with mine, and I took a few tentative steps toward her.
“Dylan is still alive. Beaten but alive,” she informed.
I nodded. “Not for long. It’s just a matter of time. He’ll get what he deserves.”
“How have you been avoiding getting caught?” she asked.
I chuckled. “I have my ways.”
She returned the smile. “I didn’t tell them about… us. They asked a lot of questions but I didn’t tell them anything.”
I nodded, pleased to hear she kept quiet. “Why?” I asked. “Afraid of what I might do?”
She shook her head. “No. It was ours. Our secret. No one else’s business.” She smirked and crossed her arms. “Plus, I didn’t really want to discuss you treating me like a… kitten, to complete strangers.”
I returned the smirk. “Or did you not want to admit that you liked it. You miss being my pet.”
She broke my stare and looked down at the ground. “I’m not sure what I miss.” She looked back up at me. “But I think I miss you.”
“Think?”
She shrugged. “I shouldn’t.”
“No, you shouldn’t.”
“It’s wrong. Everything about you is wrong.”
I nodded. “Yes. Very wrong.”
She now took a step toward me and extended her hands. “But I don’t care. I know what I want. And it’s you. I missed you, Eddie Vasco.”
Chapter Eighteen
Nayla Bell
To my surprise, Eddie took me in his arms and held me close. Never once did he speak. Never once did he stop showing me an unfamiliar love, kindness, and comfort. Eddie Vasco. It was Eddie who blanketed me in his warmth as a second chance lover would.
I’m not sure how long I rested against his chest, but eventually Eddie pulled me back so he could look me in the eyes. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. I could see his thoughts. I could see that his entire soul was crumbling to pieces inside. He didn’t want to be here with me, and at the same time, he couldn’t help himself.
Stroking his face with my palms, I whispered, “I didn’t think I would see you again.”
He nodded. “I shouldn’t have stayed in the city. All my logic screamed against this.” Taking me by the hand, he said, “You don’t need someone like me in your life.”
I shook my head. “No. I want you.” The thought of being alone without Eddie for another second sent a panic through me. I never wanted to be without the man again. “There is no single doubt in my mind of what I want. And it’s you.” I looked up at him with desperation pumping through my veins. “Don’t leave me.”
“I won’t,” he reassured. “I made the biggest mistake of my life leaving you once before. I’ll never leave you again. Never.”
He led me over to the couch and sat us down. I curled up next to him and pressed my cheek to his chest as he hugged me tight.
“What are you thinking?” I asked, which wasn’t really a fair question. If he were to ask me the exact same words, I wouldn’t be able to answer because my thoughts were racing at rapid speed.
He looked up at me and made eye contact. His expression gave nothing away.
“About us,” he began. “About what our next step is. I can’t effectively run the Vasco empire while in hiding. Hiding in the dark shadows like a sewer rat is not a way to demand respect. Plus,” he said as he studied me watching him, “that is no life for you. I’ve considered handing over the reins to my brother who’s already built a name for himself. There’s some small operations in Sicily that some family from the Vasco line wouldn’t mind my involvement in. Small in comparison to New York, but at least the cops won’t be breathing down my neck. Sicily can act as a safe haven, but at the same time, I’ll still have a way to earn. Maybe it’s time for you and me to make a move. To start fresh. I’m sure if I can arrange the travel and—”
My heart skipped a beat knowing that Eddie was considering me in his future plans. “What are you saying?” I interrupted, needing more clarification. “Are you wanting a future with me in it? In Italy?”