Placing his hands against the wall, he turns his face to look at me. I see a defeated man, one tormented with pain. “I fucking love you, Bianca Petran, and look what you’ve done to the man who would give you the world if you wanted it.”
Heat rises up into my throat and before I can say a word it comes up into my mouth. I shoot a hand over my lips and run to the nearest bathroom, barely opening the toilet lid before the entire contents of my stomach come rushing out. I hold onto the lid while my stomach surges, forcing more vomit than I thought possible out of me.
I don’t know how long I stay here, but the splitting headache that comes in makes it appear as if it’s been hours. Eventually I stand back up and flush the toilet, then go to brush my teeth and wipe my face off before I’m ready to go back out into the living room and talk to Stefan. I give myself a mental talking to in the mirror, “You can do this. You can make this right.” Before I head back out.
Only, when I open the door, he’s nowhere to be found.
“Stefan?” I call out his name and within a minute it’s made evident that he’s not here.
Chapter Thirteen
Stefan
I suppose it wasn’t right that I left her back at her condo like that, but I really didn’t give a fuck at the time. After what she admitted . . . what she was trying to say. Fuck. I was seeing red, and now I’m feeling pretty damn blue.
Everything was going so good, so why’d she do something like this? Something that could fuck it all up.
I sink my hands into my pockets while I walk on the sidewalk, turning the corner I spot a couple people heading into Mariana and Ion’s brownstone. They’re other Clan members no doubt, but from this far away I can’t see them. Hate to say it, but my eyes aren’t what they once were. Poking my tongue into the side of my cheek, I release a breath I’ve been holding in for far too long. When I said I’d give her the world, I meant it.
After Presley’s death I never thought I’d love another woman. How could I? Not when I had the perfect wife, and I’m not just saying that. She was fucking perfect not just at being a wife, but a damn good mother too. Then Bianca came into the picture. She was always around, but I never paid much attention to her. But when she started showing her rebellious behavior after she turned eighteen, I couldn’t hold myself back. Something about her demeanor made me want her.
From the beginning, she told me she wanted something fun. A mutually beneficial relationship that didn’t need labels. This way we could both fuck someone we knew, without the fear of STDs and whatnot like when you’re entangled with strangers. It all seemed perfect— in the beginning.
Now we’re here.
Years later, and I love her. I care for her on a level that she might not even fully comprehend. I’d kill millions for her. I’d starve myself to death if it meant saving her life. But how can I care for a woman so deeply who dove into another man’s arms?
Shaking my head, I grind my teeth and walk up the street until I’m going up the stairs to their home. I walk past two of their men, who I’m certain are on their security team. One lifts his chin, signaling me to head on up. Pfft, like I need approval.
I head up the stairwells and go straight into the study as always, already finding Ion and Mariana seated at the head of the table. The chair beside Ion is empty, which is where Bianca typically sits. Walking over to my seat, I plant my ass on the chair and try to breathe. There’s no doubt this is the worst time for a Clan meeting, especially since I’m in such a foul mood. Lord help anyone who opens their fucking mouth today, because I don’t give a fuck who I insult.
A laptop is in front of Mariana, so I’m sure she’s going to have most of the Clan leaders here virtually. Clacking against the wooden floors causes me to look to the right, seeing Bianca walk in.
Bianca’s eyes lock in on mine and I lower my gaze, not able to look into her eyes. Not while I’m still trying to wrap my head around why she did . . . what she did. Fuck. I’m in denial.
Tucking my finger under the collar of my dress shirt, I try to loosen it just a bit. Somehow, the room feels hotter, and not in the good way. Sucking in a breath, I realize how dry my throat is. Add the pounding in my ears, and I’m feeling fabulous. Yep. Hopefully no one will do a damn thing to piss me off, because I’ll be a relentless bastard.
Mircea Lazar makes his way quietly into the room, taking the seat across from me and I mull over the options I have, wanting nothing more than to strike him down for fucking with my woman. My prinţesă.
“I’m calling the rest of them now,” Mariana says to Ion, then looks over to Mircea. “Mircea, would you be a dear and shut the door?”
Mircea nods and does as she asks. As he walks back over to his seat, a ringing sound comes out from the speakers in the study and the other Clan leaders pop up on the wall in front of us.
“Hello, everyone, I take it you’re all safe?” Mariana starts to say.
Natasha Balan nods, though one look at her and you can sense she’s having a rough time. For fuck’s sake, her husband was only just killed a few weeks ago. Willow and Duncan sit side by side, both with concentrated expressions plastered across their
