Page 28 of Shattered King

I lean against him. I don’t even want to know what he did to Dominic.

This man’s the source of so much pain, but he’s also been there in a way nobody else has.

He goes out of his way to make me feel better.

He brought my car when it seemed like that wasn’t even possible.

And he gave me an afternoon I won’t ever forget.

I have to tell him about the baby.

It hits me all at once. He has to know. It’s not right to keep this child from him. But the second I tell him is the second I shackle myself to this life forever. There won’t be any going back. There’s no way in hell Luca will ever let me run away, not if he knows his baby is out there somewhere.

He deserves to know.

But I desperately want to be free.

Those two feelings clash in my stomach, and I suddenly feel sick as he steers me away from the church. We leave together, and it’s like the weight of the whole family is crushing down on my shoulders.

“Baby? You okay?” He supports more of my weight. “You look like you’re going to pass out.”

“No, no, I’m fine, honestly.” But I’m not fine at all. My heart’s racing so fast I’m afraid it might pop like a balloon, and sweat’s beading down my back. “Just need… to sit down… for one second…”

The heat is suddenly too much for me. I feel dizzy and lightheaded.

I see Dad lying in a casket in my mind, Elisa lying next to him, Raf in an unmarked grave beside them, and my own corpse strewn across the gravestone, my belly swollen with an unborn child.

I feel like everything’s collapsing, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

I want to escape my family, but I want to save them too, and I don’t know how to make all my pieces fit together.

Luca lets out a soft snarl as we reach the church steps. He sweeps me up into his arms, and I let out a shocked yelp as he carries me easily toward the sidewalk.

“What are you doing?” I hiss at him, squirming slightly.

“Hold on to me,” he commands, his voice hard and authoritative.

Under other circumstances, I might struggle. I might complain. But instead, I wrap my arms around him and bury my face against his neck. I breathe in deep, smelling him, feeling tiny and soft and weak, but his strong arms protect me in a way I’ve never experienced before.

Not even back when I was younger, living at home with all the guards around. Not when Elisa used to sleep in my bed after the panic room incident, and she was the only thing keeping the nightmares at bay.

Not a single moment before right now.

Men in this life have always been dangerous.

That only got worse after their selfish neglect nearly got me and my sister killed.

But Luca’s different.

He puts me before everything else. I don’t think this is about the alliance for him anymore. I think he’s doggedly pursuing my uncle because he wants to keep me safe.

And that’s an incredible feeling. I’ve never been first for someone before. I’ve never been a priority.

It’s always just been me and Elisa against everyone else.

But now how am I supposed to twist and bend myself back into shape when Luca’s slowly breaking me apart?

“Here you go, baby.” He gently gets me into the passenger seat before hurrying around to start the engine. Cool air blasts from the vents, and I slump back as Luca fans me with his hands. “Deep breaths. You’re okay.”

“I don’t know what just happened.” I turn my face to look at him. Concern stares back at me. “I was fine, and then I just?—”

“It’s been a hard day. I think you were having a panic attack.”

I groan, rubbing my face with both hands. “I haven’t had one of those in years.”

“It’s okay, baby. Things like this happen. It doesn’t mean you’re not strong.”

I stare at him in surprise. “You really think that?”

“Of course. Panic attacks are just a symptom of trauma. You don’t choose to have them.”

I bite my lip to keep myself from crying.

“Everyone thought I was so fucked up those first few months after it happened,” I whisper, the ache in my stomach beginning to relax.

“Dad didn’t know what to do with me. Raf was kind of an asshole.

He just kept saying, you’re alive, you’re alive, what are you complaining about?

But he wasn’t the one trapped in that room for three days.

He didn’t run out of water. He wasn’t starving.

He didn’t have to sacrifice everything to keep his sister going.

That was me. And sometimes it’s like I’m still in that room. I’m still trapped.”

His hand brushes against my thigh. He leans closer, hugging me across the center console. “You’re with me now, Fiorella,” he whispers, his mouth brushing my neck. “I’ve got you. I’m sorry that happened, but you’re safe. You’re really safe.”

I believe him. That’s the worst part. Even if every inch of my body wants to drive this car as far away from here as possible, I know that he’d die for me. He’d kill, maim, torture, and destroy anyone that tried to hurt me. Luca would do that without even hesitating.

For the first time in my life, I’ve found a man who cares about me.

And all I want to do is get away from him.

It’s so fucked.

I pull back and stare into his face. He looks back, strong and focused, handsome lips parted, and suddenly I can’t help myself.

I kiss him hard, holding myself against his lips, needing him to comfort me, needing his touch so badly it hurts.

The kiss covers my body in goosebumps as shivers rush along my muscles, and slowly I start to unwind.

My heart slows and my breathing steadies, and when I pull back from him, his taste lingering on my tongue, I feel steady again.

“Take me home, please,” I say as he strokes a finger down my cheek.

He nods once. “Anything you want.”