Page 132 of Veil of Obsession

“Well, Princess…” I exhale. “Looks like we’re on our own.”

46

Princess

The road stretches out ahead of us, endless and empty. The night swallows everything—the tension, the silence, the weight of what just happened.

Lucio hasn’t said a word since we drove off. His hands are tight on the wheel, his knuckles white, his expression unreadable. Focused. Distant.

I keep my eyes on my lap, my fingers twisting together, my breath shaky as I try to keep it together.

But I can’t. Because I did this. I ruined him. I ruined his entire fucking life.

I should be grateful that he’s still here. That he didn’t hand me over. That he chose me.

But the price? The cost? It’s too high.

The quiet tears start before I even realize it. I press my fingers to my lips, trying to smother the sound, trying not to let him hear me fall apart. But he notices.

Lucio slows the car, pulls to the side of the road, and shifts into park. For a second, he doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak.

Then he turns to me. His eyes flick over my face, to the tears streaking down my cheeks, to the way I’m shaking, struggling to hold it in. His jaw tightens.

“Why are you crying?” His voice is rough, low.

I shake my head, wiping my face quickly. “I’m not.”

“Princess.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, pressing my knuckles against my lips. My voice comes out broken, small.

“I’m sorry.”

Lucio doesn’t say anything, but I feel it—the way the air shifts, the way his whole body tenses beside me.

“For what?” His voice is quieter now, but no less intense.

I sniff, sucking in a trembling breath. “For making you choose.”

His breath hitches, sharp and deep. I keep my eyes on my hands, my nails digging into my palms, trying to steady myself.

“For making you pick between me and your family. For making you leave everything behind.”

A beat. Then…

“Look at me.”

I hesitate.

“Princess,” he growls. “Look at me.”

Slowly, I lift my head, my eyes meeting his, my vision still blurred with tears. Lucio is staring at me like I’ve just said the dumbest thing he’s ever heard. Like he can’t fucking believe me.

And then he leans closer, his hands coming up to cup my face, his thumbs brushing away the tears. His touch is gentle, but his voice is anything but.

“The life I knew means jack shit without you.”

A shaky breath slips from my lips, my chest tightening.