“Are you OK?” I asked, shifting back so I could examine her face.
Tears brimmed her eyes as she shook her head. “No.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“N-not right now,” she said softly, wincing.
I nodded and released her. Nattie was always quiet about her feelings. She didn’t like to be pushed. I’d give her the time she needed.
“I was so worried about you. I tried everything.”
“I know.” She squeezed my hand. “I’m here now though. We’re together.”
“For how long? Tonight was a shit show. Matteo De Santis is going to retaliate. He’s not going to accept this. There’s going to be hell to pay.”
“I know. I’m scared,” she said softly. “We’re in a war, Fal. We’re as good as dead.”
“Shh,” I said, quieting her before she went into a panic. “We’ve always made it through, right? This time will be no different. I promise you, OK? I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep you safe.”
“Do you love her?”
I licked my lips, Bianca’s face flashing in my mind. “I do. With everything I am, I do. You know me, Nat. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
“And Dominic knows? He’s not… mad?” Worry clouded her eyes as she stared back at me.
“He was. In fact, he almost killed me. We made a deal though. I’m hoping he comes through on it. He’s done good so far. You’re still safe.”
She gave me a shaky smile, a tear trickling from her eye. She hastily wiped at it and sniffled. “How will it work with you and him and her?”
“And Levin and Vincent?” I let out a soft laugh.
Her eyes widened, and I smirked.
“Yeah. Four of us. We all fell for her when we shouldn’t have. What was it Mom always said? That strength is measured in love, not hate? If that’s true, we’ll take out the damn world in the name of love for her. She’s everything, Nattie. I can’t wait for you to get to know her. I’ve never felt this way in my life for anyone before. She’s it, you know?”
Nattie gave me a sad, gentle smile. “Yeah. I know the feeling.”
I took her back into my arms and held her. I wasn’t sure what to say, so I remained quiet, letting her weep softly on my shoulder until her breathing turned deep and even.
“There’s a room with an attached bath upstairs if she needs it,” Vincent’s voice broke in as he came into the room. “I’ll show you. She could probably use a bath.”
Nearly thirty minutes had passed, and I was nearly asleep with her. I nodded and roused her.
“Nattie. Hey. Wake up. Let’s get you upstairs, OK? Vincent says there’s a bath and bed for you up there.”
She blinked and nodded. I got to my feet and helped her to hers, watching as she winced. Vincent started for the stairs, so I followed with Nattie between us. He opened the third door on the left and led us inside.
The place was nice. Surprisingly modern considering it was a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. De Santis didn’t spare a dime on this place.
“I’ll run you a bath,” Vincent said, not bothering to ask.
I watched as he disappeared into the attached bathroom, the sound of running water meeting my ears.
“We should be safe here,” I said, observing as she looked out the window nervously.
“For how long?” She cast me a sad glance over her shoulder.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “I trust the kings. De Santis knows what he’s doing.”
“Water’s ready. I put out a towel and soaps for you,” Vincent said, coming back. He walked to a dresser and removed a pair of blue sweatpants and a t-shirt. He handed them to her. “It’s not perfect, but it’ll do. You’ll be comfortable. We rarely have females here.”
“Thanks.” She took the items from him and disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
The moment she was out of earshot, Vincent turned to me.
“We need to talk.”
I swallowed hard. Vincent was the nicest of the kings. The way he was looking at me though made me think he was about to hand me my death sentence.
I nodded and got to my feet. As I followed him out, I wondered if he would lead me back to the fucking dungeon in the basement for setting the fire and bringing an army to the De Santis estate.
Either way, I didn’t regret it. A few less of Matteo’s men in the world wasn’t a bad thing. And a few less of Ivanov’s wasn’t either.