Page 89 of Innocent Bratva Twins

“No, no. I just left him at the club. I’m tired. I’m going straight to bed. I’m really sorry I disturbed you. I just wanted to—I wanted—it doesn’t matter what I wanted. Good night, my angel. Uh—Serafina. Um. Good night, Serafina.”

Fuck. Stop talking.

“Nico, I’m worried about you.” She says again.

“It’s ok. I promise I’m fine.” I laugh, but it comes out sounding dark and ominous. “Do you want to go for coffee tomorrow?” Why would I ask that? Of course, she doesn’t want to go for coffee.

“I do—it’s just—maybe it’s too soon—“

“You’re right. It is too soon. But listen, I want you to know that I’ll wait for you, no matter how long it takes, I’m waiting for you. I won’t push. When you’re ready, I’m here. Ok?”

“Ok.” She replies, barely a whisper. “Good night, Nico. Please go to bed. And drink some water.”

“Good night, my angel.”

The line goes silent, and I’m alone again.

Alone in my space. Alone in my mind.

Utterly alone.

Her words are like a dagger in my heart.It’s too soon.

What if she’s never ready?

What if she never lets me back into her heart, and she moves on? I’ll be left behind. I’ll never be able to get over her. I’ll never be able to move past this.

But if that’s what she decides she needs, I have to honor it. What choice do I have?

But how can I let her and my baby go?

It’s impossible.

It’s terrifying.

I pick up one of the thrown pillows and press it over my face.

Sleep.

Escape this pain and sleep.

Chapter 24 - Serafina

At least with the bodyguard that Niko has assigned to me, I can go out and almost feel normal. Wandering around the mall, he stays close to me, silent, but present.

I’m fine with the bodyguard. It’s a sweet gesture and a step towards me regaining my independence. I was going crazy, stuck in the safe house alone.

I thought that coming to the mall would be a nice way to clear my head and just get out—be around people—but now that I’m here, I am more lonely than I was inside the house.

I’m utterly miserable.

I’m heavy with thoughts about Nico and the mall is making it worse.

I glance behind me and the bodyguard smiles. It’s one of those polite smiles that doesn’t touch his eyes. I smile back. It doesn’t touch my eyes either.

“I think I’m done here,” I tell him.

“Oh—we just got here.”