“You used to play for me every night. It was our favorite time of the day. Just us together. You playing the piano while I watched you,” I continued. “Do you remember, Angel?”
When she didn’t answer, I let out a sigh. “It’s okay. I know you will remember. Maybe not now. But one day you will. Do you know why?”
I leaned forward. “Because I am a stubborn asshole, and I am not giving up on you,” I whispered in her ear. “One day soon, those beautiful green eyes of yours will look at me with the same amount of wonder and love as before.” Placing a kiss next to her ear, I finished, “Be prepared, kitten.”
I stood up and walked toward the couch. “I don’t play fair when it comes to things I want.”
I sat down, facing her. She looked at me for a second before turning her eyes to the piano again. We sat like this for hours maybe.
Until she played.
Just one key. One note.
My head snapped up, my eyes widening. I sat forward, hoping to hear more.
But that was it.
I smiled. So hard that my cheeks were hurting.
I wanted to be disappointed that there wasn’t more, but how could I when my Angel finally made a move?
Ayla looked up at me, and there it was—it was so small. Barely there. Or maybe I was just imagining it?
But then it was gone so fast that I would have missed it if I wasn’t staring so intently.
A very small glimpse of emotion in those lifeless green eyes. Ayla stared at me, her eyes empty again.
But my chest somehow felt a little lighter than before.
I stood up and walked to her, her gaze following me. I stopped beside her and saw that her fingers were still on the keys. Even though she played only one key, it felt like she had played a whole song.
“Do you know how beautiful you look? You are breathtaking, Angel,” I whispered, sweeping her in my arms again. “Especially when you play the piano.”
I carried her back to our bedroom, and I felt surprisingly light.
Ayla laid on the bed, and I pulled the covers over her. “You want to sleep?”
She only closed her eyes. I smiled. I got my answer.
I joined her in bed and held her close. The baby danced around, and I rubbed the bump. “Settle down now. Your mommy needs her sleep.”
He moved again. Another kick. So fucking stubborn.
Shaking my head, I closed my eyes. After some time, the baby finally settled, and Ayla fell asleep. Just when sleep started to cloud my mind, I heard a knock on the door.
I slowly moved away from Ayla. After making sure she was still asleep, I made my way to the door and softly opened it.
My eyes widened in shock at the sight in front of me.
“Maddie?”
Maddie stared at me, tears in her eyes. “Can I see her, please?”
Her voice sounded so small and fragile. I blinked a couple of times, trying to understand what was going on.
Maddie looked down, tears streaming down her face. “I should have come before but couldn’t find the courage. I’m sorry, Alessio. For leaving this on you. It’s…I…God, I can’t believe I left her alone when she needed me the most.”
I saw her face twisting in frustration as she wiped her tears away angrily. “But can I see her now? Please.”
I only nodded, stepping out of the way. Maddie quickly walked inside. I closed the door and watched her stop next to the bed. She cried softly.
When she joined Ayla in the bed, my heart soared. Finally! This was what they both needed. They needed each other.
I walked forward and saw Maddie wrap her arms around Ayla. Her eyes opened, and she stared blankly at Maddie.
She whispered something in Ayla’s ear and sobbed. Ayla closed her eyes again, and I knew she was asleep within seconds.
Maddie closed her eyes too. She continued crying softly, trying not to wake Ayla up. I moved the sofa chair next to the bed, beside Ayla, and sat down.
Leaning back, I watched Maddie cry herself to sleep. After some time, I heard the door open and saw Phoenix come in. His eyes instantly went to the bed, and when he saw Maddie there, I saw his shoulders sagging in relief.
He nodded at me and pulled a chair to Maddie’s side. We watched both our women sleep.
I didn’t miss the way Ayla slightly burrowed deeper in Maddie’s embrace.
My lips tilted up in a ghost smile.
A silver lining. Small and barely there. But definitely there.
There was hope.
Chapter 7
1 week later
“We’ll be there in ten minutes, Boss,” Nikolay said from the driver’s seat.
“Hmm…”
“What if it’s a trap?”
“I don’t think it is. Not after I tortured their president and we killed half of their men in a span of minutes. They’re too scared,” I muttered, looking out of the window.