Her eyes close, and I can tell she’s fighting back tears. I pull her into my chest again, knowing not only does she need a hug, but I do. Clenching my jaw I find it hard to even imagine what the hell she’s been through. I’ve never got my hands on a man that has raped a woman but when I do… I will squeeze his neck until I feel the bones in his neck crack. I have no respect for anyone that commits such an act.
“Where did you go after you left the state hospital?” she sobs. Her finger draws an imaginary figure on my arm as she awaits my answer. The touch soft and making me inhale sharply.
Feeling obligated to tell her a piece of my life, mine not near as bad as hers, I divulge.
“My father became the don of the DeAngelo family, my brother Kieran was my father’s pride and joy as we learned the ropes of organized crime. I mostly stood by my brother, keeping out of my dad’s way. That was until my father and brother had a falling out, and now I’m the one left to fill the position Kieran was in. I don’t think my father is too thrilled about it. I’m… not like him. I’m not ruthless. I can hurt people, but I refuse to put my darkness on innocent people so he sees me as weak.” I info dump on her, trying to make sure I get everything out with as little emotion as possible.
She looks up at me.
“I think you have more inside of you than you know.”
My brows furrow, my eyes blinking rapidly. I don’t know what I’m capable of and that’s what I try to protect everyone from. I want to be gentle and caring, but my temper proceeds to tell me to stay away from people. Maybe the act of being nice is more than a soft touch or a smile, I’d like to think so anyway.
Luna
Feeling his heart thud against my ear, his arms around me. I run my finger over my bottom lip that still tingles from him kissing me. It was… amazing. I haven’t felt anything like it before. Not even when I had a boyfriend in high school. Things I only dreamed about are coming true, but something deep inside of me still sits sour. Why? Shouldn’t I be happy?
Suddenly feeling uneasy, I exhale sharply. I hated telling him where I’ve been and what has happened to me but that’s in the past. We live every day, we only die once. I’m free now and I can trust Romeo. I should be thinking about my future, but… I’m not. Then it hits me. There are so many women I left behind, how can I ever be free when they’re not. I know what’s going on and how it’s happening, I can’t just walk away and try to live a normal life.
“What’s wrong?” Romeo asks, sitting up on his elbow.
“Do you remember when you asked me what I wanted?” I question. He asked me that shortly after taking me here. I remember, but I didn’t know what the hell I wanted. I do now.
He gives me an off look, but nods.
Pushing the hair from my face, I sit up straight. “I want to take down the trafficking ring. I want to make those motherfuckers bleed the pain I bled every day and I want to let those women I left behind… go. Can you help me?”
He sits up, pulling his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around them.
“I don’t have that kind of power. Plus, that means putting you back in the circle you just escaped from, Luna,” he says to himself before looking at me, the protection in his voice making me feel special.
Biting my nail, I think about what he just said. It’s true, I’ll be running back to the dark instead of away from it to save those women.
“I’ll never be free knowing what I know. You’re the fucking mafia, Romeo, if anyone can do this... it’s you!” I point at him, my voice rising with anger and enthusiasm.
He shakes his head. “I can’t. My father is the one that the power, in fact, he has the right to take you back if he wants. Butting up against him isn’t wise. I’m not the—”
“Yes, you are! Don’t you see, you’re those women’s only hope!” I shout, my hands out in front of me as if I’m holding a mirror for Romeo to see just how powerful he is.
“I’m not the Don of New York, everything in this city goes by my father. If I even make a step toward that ring, he’ll know and shut me down,” he informs.
Leaning up on my knees, I grab his face, his breath quickens as our eyes meet.
“You are so much more than that. You can be the Don, you can be king of New York. You just have to believe it. Just like I believe I can save those girls, that I can save myself.”
He closes the small gap between us and kisses me again. I close my eyes and kiss him back.
We’re going to do this. Together.
“So, what are you going to do?” I whisper against his lips.
“Save the fucking day.” He smiles before deepening the kiss.
11
Romeo
Standing in the kitchen, eating a banana, I contemplate everything Luna just said.
How she was left in that state hospital, her foster family selling her. She’s been betrayed by everyone she’s ever known, and now she wants revenge. I don’t blame her.
I could do it for her, she’s right, I do have the resources to make her desire a reality. I guess I just never saw myself as anything other than the other son. Kieran always took
