When we are finally inside the containment of our room, we both sigh deeply.
“I can’t do this, Dove. I can’t watch you with them, with some other guy… even if you are pretending. It’s like my worst nightmare playing out in front of me. I love you too much. I can’t stand this. I’m scared, Dove. Scared! I don’t even remember the last time I experienced that feeling, but I am now. I’m scared of losing you, losing us.”
“I know…” My voice is raw with emotion, I’m feeling everything he just said. “I hate this too, but if I need to gain Matteo’s trust. I need him to give me freedom so we can get away. If we try again now, he’ll kill you, and lock me up.”
Zane growls in annoyance, knowing that I’m right. Frustration and anger come off of him in waves, and I know if I don’t calm him down, he is going to punch the wall or something.
“Can we just lie down so you can hold me? Please, I just need you to hold me,” I whine.
Zane nods and starts taking off his clothes before helping me out of my dress. Together we crawl into bed and under the blanket. He pulls me to his chest, and I snuggle up to him as close as I can. I don’t know how long I can have him like this, and for tonight, I don’t want to think about this either. I let his warmth engulf me, let his unique scent calm me, and the steady beat of his heart lull me to sleep.
40
Something terrible is going to happen. I can feel it. Dove is acting stranger than usual. After the event the other night, I poured my heart out to her, confessing my biggest fears, and instead of bringing us closer, she seemed to be pushing us further apart. She is shutting down, and I feel helpless against it. I wasn’t lying when I told her I was scared. I’m scared shitless. I feel like I’m fighting a battle I can’t win. I feel like I’m watching her getting sucked into this world. Something I’ve been trying so hard to avoid.
I need to do something, change my tactics, so I can stop this. I need to stop this before all is lost. Before my Dove is tainted by Matteo even more.
She is not only pulling away from me mentally but physically as well. Yesterday she spent most of the day in Matteo’s personal library, preferring to read a book than spend time with me. This morning after breakfast, she disappeared into the library yet again.
Tired of waiting around for her, I leave the room and head toward the library. Every guard I pass looks up at me, their watchful eyes examine me and my mood.
When I enter the grand room, filled from top to bottom with books, I find Dove curled up on a chair by the window. A book laying on her lap. Her head snaps up when she notices me walking in. I’m surprised to find her eyes puffy and red like she’s been crying.
“What’s wrong?” I shoot the two guards posted at the door, an accusing glare. They better not have touched her. “Did someone hurt you?”
“No, come sit.” She sniffs. “I need to talk to you.”
Hesitantly, I take the seat across from her. I know whatever she is about to tell me is not going to be good. I mentally prepare myself to hear what she has to say, but the truth is, nothing could have prepared me for what she says.
“You need to leave, Zane.” A semi-truck could have hit me, and I would feel less wounded. “You can’t stay here any longer. This…” She motions between us. “Whatever this is, it’s not working. We need to end this now before it gets any further.”
“Any further?” There is no further. We are already at the end. I’ve loved her for years, and she loves me back. “We are meant to be together.”
“No, we are not. I’m meant to be here. I’m meant to carry on the Castro name, and you don’t fit in here, at all.” I know she is playing. She doesn’t mean this, she can’t mean this, but hearing the words come out of her mouth, regardless of their truthfulness, hurts like hell.
“Just stop, Dove! I can’t listen to this shit. You and I both know that’s not true,” I growl. “Drop