As much as she’s been aloof with me most of my life, I didn’t think she would lie to me, not about something like this. It makes no sense for her to have fabricated a story like this to hurt me.
I pick up the letter again as confusion settles in my gut. With a watery gaze, I settle against the headboard and prepare myself for an onslaught of emotions I’m certain will rip me apart.
Dear Princess,
All my life, I’ve tried to make sure you’re safe. I failed because if you’re reading this, I’m gone. Not dead, but I should be. None of this will make sense to you but know that I’m always watching from afar. I never once wanted you to get in the middle of my mistakes, and I always kept you from finding out the truth about me. I wanted nothing more than to be your hero, but instead, I was the villain in this particular story.
It’s time you find out who I am, and I wanted to be the one to tell you. The job got to me. After years of playing by the rules, I ended up breaking them, and it took me down a dark path, which forced me to do things I’m ashamed of, and I never wanted you to see me in that light.
I took a life.
I stole from a family who will happily see me dead before they forgive me. When I made the choice to do it, I never thought of the repercussions, and that was my mistake. I should’ve focused on my family instead of wanting my seat in the White House. Promises were made, and vows were broken.
I got into bed with a dangerous man, and I ended up putting our lives in danger. But, in saying that, I now realize that having you in Black Mountain has not only put you in danger’s way, but you’ll find out my dirtiest secret.
Three years ago, I killed a man. I didn’t pull the trigger, but I may as well have. His name was Ezra Donati, and I ensured he was dead before I walked away. I didn’t think anything would come of it because I had the power of my job to keep me safe. That is until the men of his organization found out who put the hit out on him.
And now, I’m on the run.
My body turns to ice as my mouth falls open in shock. Elian’s dad. Does that mean he knows who I am? I know he mentioned his dad was killed, but he never explained anything more than that, and each time I do ask him anything, he changes the topic. My chest tightens with fear and confusion. If he knows who I am, he could hurt me. But then again, it’s been almost a month since we’ve been intimate, and he hasn’t done anything to make me feel as if I’m in danger.
Nothing makes sense.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand, and from my viewpoint, I can see his name flashing on my screen. My hand hovers over the device, and I consider my options. But in the end, I leave it to ring and pick up my father’s letter once more.
I needed to stay hidden for some time to put everything in place to ensure you’re not going to be pulled into the middle of this. That’s done now. Midge will give you everything when the time is right.
It’s time for me to do the right thing. Once they find me, they will kill me. I will give myself up because I’m guilty, but I needed you to know who I am before I take my final breath.
I’m no hero.
I’m not at all a good father, but I want you to know I love you. I’ve always loved you.
Whatever comes now is something I deserve. But I want you safe. Promise me you’ll stay safe no matter what. Don’t trust easily, because when you allow your heart to fall, your life will only follow along.
Please, Princess, be careful.
All my love,
Dad
My phone vibrates again, this time with a message, but everything is blurry as the tears I’d been holding back for so long rush down my cheeks. I’m about to pick up the device from my nightstand when my bedroom door flings open, and on the threshold is the man who’s toyed with my body, played with my heart, and could most probably kill me because of my father.
“I’ve been trying to contact you,” Elian tells me, his voice rigid, filled with something akin to fear, which makes no sense. Why would he be afraid? “We need to talk.”
“You knew,” I tell him as I push off the bed to stand. “You knew the letter I got is from my father.” Anxious energy skitters through me as he inches forward. We’re alone in the house; I know Aunt Midge isn’t home. “How did you get in here?”
“Are you sure you want an answer to that?” he questions with an arched brow.
Probably not is my silent answer, but then I voice my response, “You knew who I was all this time.” I fist my hands to stop them from shaking and hide them from his gaze, but Elian notices the movement.
“I did.” He takes another step deeper into the bedroom, and I instinctively move back, slamming into the nightstand, which shatters the silence. Even though I’m sure he won’t do anything to me, I still feel anxiety coil in my stomach.
“You haven’t hurt me.”
He shakes his head, dropping his stare to the carpet for a long while as if he’s considering his response. But then he lifts his eyes to meet mine. “I can’t.”
“Why?” It’s probably a stupid question to ask, but I can’t stop myself from voicing it. I need to know what his intentions are because if he is here to kill me, I’d rather
