Chapter 274: We Shot And Ask Questions Later
Chapter 274: We Will Shot And Ask Questions Later
Gregorio
I had to force myself not to turn back around as I pulled into the parking lobby attached to the large building before me just within the boundaries of the city. It was so dark outside now that the stars shone bright above me even with the streetlights all around, their beauty paled in comparison to what I was truly looking at while trying to convince myself things were better this way.
I had the entire drive here to do so and I was still failing, failing as I rounded to the other side of the car and failing again as I opened the passenger door where Camilla was buckled in. The sight alone tested every bit of strength inside me it took as I reached to unclasp her seatbelt, maneuvering her arms until she was unwound and free right into my hesitant yet steady arms as I caught her.
It was around ten o'clock in the night with the decision my brothers and I made ringing in my head, feeling wrong but so right at the same time.
I just wanted to alleviate Camilla's pain so she could move on from the cards life had dealt her so far and if offering her space was what she needed to recover, then I just had to be selfish and go to her. The fact that this isn't my life, it is hers and after all of the control she has been forced to live under for this last year, shd more than anyone deserves the freedom she has spent so much time fighting for. This was my offering to her, a statement I have had to repeat again and again so I wouldn't just get back into the car and take the both of us home where we had belonged.
Cradling her head against my chest as I carried her through the path of freshly fallen snow, I made sure for the hundredth time that the fresh clothes I had recently dressed her in blocked out any of the cold air rushing all around us. It was like even the earth was helpless to the range of emotions consuming me right now, begging me to stop as I walked us straight to the door of her apartment building through the storm. Her duffel bag looped around one elbow with her key card clasped between my teeth.
Not even for a second, though did she stir through all of this and I hoped that meant she was comfortable while I shifted her ever so slightly so I could scan the key to get into the quiet building before us. The sound of two quick beeps told me the door had just been unlocked, stepping inside and into the modernized hallways connected to a set of stairs as well as an elevator.
"We are almost here, Camilla." I whispered even though I knew she couldn't hear me as I chose the former path, ascending all the way up to the third floor and knowing where to go based on my previous experience trying to find her. This time would be different though, this time I would leave a text in the morning saying that she always has a dome with us but that if letting us go was what she needed to be happy, then she would never have to see us again.
It wasn't the safest option of them all but the immensely increased security here would have to be enough. If it meant I could stop hearing the broken sound of her voice in the kitchen when she told us how she was dying inside, I would do just about anything. Adriano and Domenico would too and if it weren't for them being called in for an emergency with work only minutes before I got into the car to give Camilla the option of goodbye, I knew they would be by my side right now.
Unfortunately, the Mafia doesn't allow for flexibility though and there is not much we can do about it now anyways. Honestly, it just felt like I couldn't do much about anything anymore and it was killing me because that meant I had no idea how l could help the sweet little thing in my arms. Taking her up the long flight of stairs, I got the urge to nuzzle against her for just a second longer as I eventually approached her door and bent slightly once again to unlock the handle on it. With a simple twist, I managed to get it open. Aided by the small kick in encouragement, I gave it just to find the lamp beside the couch turned on, my sense instantly on alert just to find the lump of a large body taking up the entire sofa.
Covered in a contrasting fluffy blanket, my jaw clenched as I find Jacob fucking Pope sleeping shirtless in Camilla's studio apartments with an array of mostly eaten food spread out ok the table across from him. Slightly ticked off at the thought of leaving my girl with him also in the room, I placed her bag down quietly on the ground so I could use my free hand to gently cover her ears. Using my foot in the next moment to kick her door closed hard enough to send him awake with a jolt.
I didn't even flinch as the man nearly double my size muscles wise shot from the couch with his gun drawn within the blink of an eye, leveling my gaze with him as though to silently tell him he had three seconds to put the weapon down before I started to view it as a threat worthy of acting on.
"For the fuck sake." He cursed as he realized it was not someone who was trying to kill him that disturbed his beauty sleep but he was really teetering on that changing with every moment I had to remember he has been by Camilla's side for the last goddamn year when I wasn't.
"Good morning to you too, sunshine." I glared as I instinctively tucked the woman in my arms just a little closer to me, walking inside of the apartment and only taking my shoes off because I didn't want her to have to deal with the trail of snow in the morning.
With Jacob here, it meant my goodbye was going to be cut short in his presence and it had me tempted to want to cut on those deadly thoughts from only moments ago when I was still staring down the barrel of his gun.
"Why are you guys here? Is she okay?" He asked as he ran his hand down his face as though he were trying to wake himself up but I didn't bother responding as I walked straight past him and up to the slight platform where her room was.
"Tell Lucas that in light of recent information, we are calling a truce but know that if any of his crew step foot unannounced into our territory after tomorrow, we will shoot first and ask questions later."
That was the decision we agreed upon because if I ever saw that asshole step foot with this city, I would be finishing what should have happened at Domenico's funeral for what he stole from us. The only thing stopping me from flying to Dubai now and searching every last inch of land until I found him was the feeling of the girl beneath my touch, the feeling of her heartbeat against my chest serving as a memory that she got out. That is all that mattered to me now.
Not sparing Jacob another glance, I carried her over to the small bed on the platform before reluctantly laying her down on the undisturbed mattress, resting her head against her pillow so I could free my hand to tuck her in. I wouldn't let myself acknowledge how wrong every movement felt as I pulled the covers up over her soft body, taking a moment to just stand there and memorize the sight of her for what might very possibly be the last time.
I could sense Jacob behind me where I heard him drop back down onto the couch, the single lamp providing light for the entire room and just faintly illuminating all of her painfully beautiful features where she slept.
"Sweet dreams, sweetheart." I whispered into her ear even though there was no chance of her hearing me, leaning in to tuck a free strand of hair away from her face with a shaky hand.
I refused to cry with Jacob sitting in the same room as me and all I could do was pray that Camilla would still choose us come morning when she had the freedom to decide what would make her happiest. Pressing my lips lightly to her temple, I closed my eyes and allowed myself this one moment to do what I know should feel right, what I know is necessary.
When I finally bring myself to pull away, I lock down every single ugly emotion inside me, screaming to be let out as I take a step back, not letting myself stop until I was facing Jacob again who was watching me almost curiously. But I ignored the question in his eyes as well.
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