Twisted Fate: A Forbidden Romance

by Ella James

  Poor Luca is hanging with me, but I know he’s hurting. I can tell by how he’s breathing, how he moves. I wish I could carry him the way he would me. Instead I’m whispering encouragement as we make it down the last flight of stairs. Then we’re at the ground floor door, and I’m looking into his dazed eyes.

  “Dani is going to pick us up in her housekeeper’s car. But first we have to slip out a side door and walk about a fourth of a block.” I take his unhurt hand in mine. “You think that would work?”

  He nods once.

  “They may be mad at you for leaving, but it’s not a crime or anything.”

  “Thank God for that,” he says with an eyeroll, and his face makes me laugh.

  “I love you.”

  “Love you more.” He puts an arm around me, holding me against him for a second.

  “Dani’s got some pain meds left over from a surgery she had a few months back.”

  He shakes his head once. “Advil.”

  “Okay, mister. You stand here for a second. I’m going to open the door and look for an exit sign out there in the lobby.”

  Moments later, he and I are walking down a narrow, mostly empty corridor, our hands clasped.

  “One time,” he pants, “when you were…in college…I stole a…photo…of you…from your dad’s house.”

  “What?” I laugh at the randomness of this confession, and he gives me an exhausted smile.

  “I’ll show you.”

  “Yes, you have to. I want to see this picture that prompted you to steal it.”

  His thumb rubs the top of my hand. Then we’re at the exit door. I hesitate, and he says, “Act like…it’s normal.”

  I push the door open, and we’re in a patch of grass. We’re at the side of the hospital. “Perfect! This is where I hoped we’d come out. Dani’s just behind that building.” I point to a narrow, red brick number.

  He nods, and I feel him straining to pick up the pace. His hand clutches mine. “I think I know…what you’re doing,” he whispers. “Is Ree…gonna say she…saw someone get hit?”

  “Yeah, she’s going to do it anonymously. I thought she could say the person had some bandages and no shirt. That way, when we disappear to Timbuktu, maybe the Armenians will think someone already took you out.” I laugh hoarsely. “I don’t know.”

  “You wanna…disappear with me?” He smiles, looking drained.

  “Oh yes.” I bite my lip before disclosing what I’ve found out in the last few days. “Dani’s been in touch with Max. She told me Max said Aren’s been obsessing over me for a while. And you’ve been trying to keep him at bay. But it all blew up because he acted like he was suspicious you were turning on him, re the human trafficking. But he was only doing that because he was in fact turning on you. So Max said when you talked to the FBI to explain things, that screwed Aren over. If you’re not really a human trafficker…then the only person who could possibly be in trouble with the FBI for all that stuff was him.”

  Luca nods as we approach a curb that divides parking lots.

  “You ready for a step up?”

  His hand tightens on my arm, but he says nothing as we start through some patchy grass toward the back of the corporate headquarters, where Dani waits in our getaway car.

  “There she is—you see that little silver Accord? Once we get in there, you can relax.”

  His lips twitch. “I’m fine.”

  But my guy is bluffing. As soon as we duck into the car and he thanks Dani for the pillow and blanket she brought, he wraps his arm around me. I fold Dani’s feather pillow over my shoulder. He lays his head right there and falls asleep.

  I wake up in a familiar room I can’t quite place, with a pair of blue eyes on me.

  “Hi there.” Luca smiles softly.

  I blink around, feeling confused and a bit self-conscious. I frown around Ree’s room, and then up at Luca. Oh, wait, I remember now—we came here with Dani.

  We’re in Ree’s double bed, and Luca’s leaning back against some pillows. I’m lying flat, my head near his hip.

  “How are you?” I murmur.

  “Okay.” His lips curve a little as he looks down at me. “Enjoying a rare luxury.”

  “Sleep?”

  He smiles. “Watching you sleep.”

  I cover my face with my hand, and his fingers delve into my hair. “I probably look like something that the cat dragged in,” I whisper.

  “You look perfect.”

  I sit up so I can see him better. “You look rested. Did you sleep?”

  He laughs softly, looking embarrassed. “I don’t know. I think maybe.” His gaze moves around the room. “Where the fuck are we?”

  I can’t help laughing, too. “This is Ree’s house. When we got here, you were out of it. Dani can’t swallow pills—or like, she won’t—so she had some pain patches, which she brought in the car. You were sleeping, but I stuck one of them on your arm. When we got here, you were feeling better. I don’t think you cared where we were. But a little while ago, you woke up and pulled it off and muttered something like ‘dammit, Elise!’”

  He smiles, looking puzzled. “I don’t think that happened.”

  I laugh, holding up the crumpled patch. “You want to put it back on?”

  He shakes his head. “No way.”

  “How do you feel?”

  He sits up slightly straighter. “I feel like you and your friends…kidnapped me. And maybe…someone made a call saying they saw a dude with my description…get run over?”

  “Would that be an issue?” I laugh. “If it were true? I mean, it may just be a fever dream.”

  “I don’t think I have a fever.” He laughs.

  “Do you think I’m crazy?”

  “Yes.” He grins, looking tired but amused. “What’s your goal, Miss D.A.? Sorry.” He shuts his eyes.

  “It’s okay. It has a certain ring to it. And…my end goal was to run away with you.”

  “What?”

  “I thought we could go somewhere together. Not to Timbuktu. I got Lasik, and I get dry eyes like crazy since then. So it can’t be the desert. But I don’t know…maybe the ocean. Europe.”

  “For how long?”

  “Like, a few years?”

  “What?” He laughs.

  “I want to be together when the baby comes. I want to be with you.”

  He shuts his eyes, his face barely moving as he murmurs, “Where do you think we could go?”

  “Spain or Portugal? Italy? The Baltic Sea? Even Iceland—that would be amazing.”

  When he opens his eyes, they look wary. “What about your job, la mia rosa?”

  “Well…I would resign.”

  “For what reason?”

  “I wouldn’t say. But we could start a rumor—any rumor. I could even say I’ve been trying to conceive for years. And now I did, and I want to be present for that. People would probably think Jace was the dad. Unless they knew me well, and then who cares? It’s my life. Ours,” I correct.

  “Have you been trying?” he asks.

  “No, of course not. It’s a lie. You know, for the press.”

  “But you won an election, rosa. I saw you give your speech.” He’s frowning deeply. “You were happy.”

  “No I wasn’t. I was proud. There’s a difference. I wasn’t unhappy, but this job is me keeping myself occupied. I ran because…well, in part, Ree wanted to run a campaign.” I laugh, feeling somewhat foolish. “She thought I would make a good D.A. Remember, they’re the betas, and I’m just the goldfish. But I wanted it. I did. And now I want to have our baby, and I want to be with you.”

  He blinks, looking puzzled and then dismayed.

  “Don’t you even think about telling me I’m a failed feminist. Or something about women in the workforce.”

  He looks aghast and affronted. “I’m no mansplainer.”

  My eyes well. “Would you think it, though? That I’m a failure? I know other people might.”

  He smooths my hair back. “Rosa, wha
t would you think? That’s the only thing that matters. Let me tell you something: I can wait for you. I can do…whatever you want. I could be your live-in husband…and only leave in disguise.”

  “Would you leave your job?” I ask him.

  “I’ll find a way. Like you”—he shuts his eyes, as if he’s tired—“I was just passing time.”

  “Would people come after the others on your…erm, team…if you left? Given what happened with Aren?”

  “Probably not. If I left…I would be viewed as weak. Like I went into hiding or skipped town.” He swallows, his eyes peeking open. “Alesso or Leo would take over. Or there’s some other guys. Ant or Lisa.”

  “Is Lisa really a guy?”

  He smiles. “Girl. A woman.”

  “You could just leave?”

  “I wouldn’t put it like that. But the Armenians…lashed out already. My car got stolen. I just checked my texts…Alesso told me. And these two warehouses Aren knew about…are burning. Our warehouses.”

  “Oh my God.”

  “Someone lit them on fire.”

  “Is one of them that Queens location?”

  He nods. “That’s where we would do the pink ops.”

  “Is it? That’s why you said if I’m looking at that, I need to talk to someone at the FBI.”

  He nods again.

  “Some people there really knew what you were up to?”

  “Just one or two. The main one…had a baby.” He frowns. “That’s why she wasn’t there to intervene…when the Aren stuff happened.” I watch as he takes a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. “How do you feel?” he asks softly.

  “I’m okay. I should be asking you that.”

  He quirks a brow, and I watch him scoot to the bed’s edge. I’m going to ask if he needs help getting up, but he stands before I can. “I should go,” he murmurs, swaying slightly. “Let you think.”

  “Think about what?” I sit up, frowning.

  He shuts his eyes, grabbing onto Ree’s desk chair. “You can’t work…because of me. I’m still the guy…you’re not allowed to date.” He looks pale.

  “Okay, but that’s not by your choice.”

  “I almost got you and the baby…killed.” His voice goes low and throaty on that word, and pain twists his face. “I don’t know.” He shakes his head once, pressing his forehead to his arm. “I just…don’t know.”

  “So what are you saying?” My voice wobbles.

  “You should think about…letting Jace claim the baby. And keep your job.” He lifts his head slightly, looking at me. “At least…until your term is over. We can be together later.”

  I can’t even speak for a long moment. I realize my mouth is hanging open, and I shut it. “Is that how you really feel? That it could wait between us?”

  He presses his lips flat. “Well…it’s logical.”

  “Would you continue being in your line of work?”

  “I don’t know.” His gaze falling to the floor. “I’d have to transition.”

  “You said it’s going to be dangerous. In the hospital stairwell. You said the Armenians would start a war.”

  His gaze slides to mine as his lips twitch. “I was high on morphine.”

  “You said you wanted me.” I swallow hard, so I don’t break down.

  “Doesn’t matter. We’re adults. Sometimes what we want…doesn’t work.”

  “I don’t want this life. I want to be with you.” My pulse surges. I start scooting toward the bed’s edge—if I can hold him, I know I can soothe whatever cold feet he has—but he’s moving toward the door.

  “I don’t have a life to give you. Not yet. Maybe never. I could get pulled in tomorrow by the FBI.” He takes a deep breath, looking tired as all the world. “I just took out a big fish they had…battered up for frying.”

  Tears spill from my eyes. “I thought you said you were okay with them. That they knew. And you were just saying you wanted to be together!” Am I crazy?

  “I do…want you. I want you happy. I want you to…have some options.” He sounds breathless.

  “Like you do?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You look like you’re going to pass out if you don’t sit down.”

  He shakes his head slowly. “I have to go.” His eyes seem less than focused. He won’t look at me as he wraps his hand around the doorknob. “I’ve got…things to do. To protect my brother and my friends.” He bows his head. “I don’t want to fuck up again.”

  “So you’re leaving right now?” I get off the bed, trying to decide if I’m furious or devastated.

  “I have to.” His eyes are pleading. His mouth twists downward like he’s upset, and he shuts his eyes as he breathes deeper.

  “Just stay with me one more night. Please, Luca. I think we need to talk more. Talk this out more.”

  His face is regretful. “I can’t.”

  Tears start falling again as cold panic grips me. “Will you call me this time? Please? Don’t give up on what we have. You have to promise me you won’t. Don’t be afraid of being happy with me. Promise me that.”

  He nods. “Promise. I’ll put the baby and you first.”

  I get up and cross the rug to him, and then I hug him. He rests his chin on my head, and I stroke his warm back gently.

  “Sorry,” he says quietly.

  I look up at him and can’t help nodding. “Do what you need to do. Just come back, please.”

  He kisses me gently, hugs me gingerly, and frowns down at himself.

  “Dani and I dressed you. Clothes she bought from somewhere.”

  His lips twist in a small smile. “Thank you, rosa.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Call me when you get home.”

  “Okay.” I watch as he looks around the room one last time. Then he steps away from me and walks carefully out the door.

  37

  Luca

  It’s a chilly winter morning, early as hell, when someone rings the doorbell. Since I’m sleeping on the couch, the chime is loud—and then it’s followed by aggressive knocking.

  What the fuck? I get up, my eyes flying to the table by the front door, where I keep a little black revolver. I palm the thing, my heart racing as I check the peep hole, but it’s only Alesso.

  I open the door and he steps inside, brushing past me so his shoulder bumps mine. I realize he looks pissed off about the time he says, “You got her pregnant?”

  “What?”

  “You got her fucking pregnant, and you left her.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” His whole face is an accusation. “I didn’t leave her.” My blood runs cold as I wonder what happened to trigger this drop-by.

  “But you did get her pregnant.”

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  “What’s wrong is this shit. I can’t believe I didn’t even know.” He’s waving his hands as he speaks, gesturing with a small, brown bag.

  “What are you holding?”

  “Lemon donuts, but you sure as shit aren’t getting any.”

  I can’t help a soft laugh. “Dude, what’s going on?”

  “I’m fucking pissed.”

  I wave toward the door. “Then go. I’m trying to sleep.”

  Alesso gives my chest a light push. “Jesus, man. What are you doing?”

  “Fuck off.” I shove him back.

  “How do you think that’d play out?” He looks aggressive, like he wants to fight me.

  “I don’t know. You want to find out, brother?”

  “Luca—what the fuck?” He looks around. I can see the wheels in his head turning as he notices my house is a damn mess. So what? “Where’s Oscar?” he asks.

  “Had him boarded for the weekend.” My tone sounds defensive.

  “Why?”

  “I was going upstate.”

  He gives me a look that says he sees right through me.

  “I didn’t end up going. Clearly.” I roll my eye
s.

  Alesso passes me the bag of donuts. Then he strolls to my couch, sits, and pats the cushion beside him. “C’mon over, Galante.”

  “What is this, a fucking therapy session?”

  He arches a brow. “Sounds like you need a little fucking therapy session.”

  “Christ.” I rub my hair. After a second, I sit down—mostly so I can have a donut.

  “What are you doing, man?” His eyes pin mine. “What are you doing?”

  “She said she would quit her job, Alesso.”

  “And?” He throws his hands up.

  “I can’t let her do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s her job. She ran for public office.”

  “She said you told her to tell people the baby’s Jace’s. People I know’ve been trying to put two and two together for weeks—people including Isa, who was about to fly back to check on you.” He gives a bitter laugh. “But that’s your baby.”

  “Yeah, and guess what? It doesn’t have to be.”

  “What do you need to do? What’s standing in the way?”

  “This is rich shit from a guy who only fucks whores.”

  He shuts his eyes, rubs his forehead. “So it’s like that. You’re fucked up. I mean, it’s obvious. I don’t know why I’m surprised.”

  “Say what?” I don’t think I’ve ever been so caught off guard by Alesso.

  “You wanna hear what?” He shakes his dark head. “You missed Leo’s birthday, didn’t notice when Ant broke his hand and had that big cast. You’ve missed a bunch of shit down at the docks and fucked up math stuff almost every week lately on all the ledgers. I’m going behind you all the damn time, cleaning up.”

  I feel my neck burn. “No you aren’t. That’s bullshit.”

  “That night we heard Aren’s cousin might be gunning for you, Soren said you were drinking at a bar.”

  I laugh. “You want me to hide at home?”

  “I kinda do, Galante. I don’t want them cracking your chest open again.”

  “Ahh, c’mon.” I tug on my shirt. “That shit was practically laparoscopic.”

  He blows his breath out. Then he turns to me and claps his hand over my shoulder. “You’re the only brother I have.”