Page 149 of A Second Dawn

She told me she did weeks ago, but I had hoped that what we share has outgrown their previous connection.

Ella lets out a heavy breath. “I’ve fallen in love with both of you. How could I not when we’re all part of the same soul?”

I laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “I’m certainly not in love with him.”

“You don’t know him like I do,” she defends him.

“No, I don’t. Nor do I have any desire to get more acquainted with him—shared soul or not.”

Ella and I are a much better match than those two could ever be. They’re as different as night and day. Their relationship can never work in the long run.

I turn her around to look at her. “Accepting a life with De Marco is a really bad idea. You must see that! You’ve been miserable, even terrified with him before. Why would that have changed? You’ve seen what he’s like when he’s in his realm. You return to Sicily with him, and he’ll put you right back in that golden cage. Just that this time he’ll make sure you can’t escape it—ever. Especially if he has control over your child.

“Are you reacting this way because we’ve been caught? This might look like a hopeless situation, but it is not. There’ll be a way out of this!”

There’s hope, and I refuse to give it up.

Ella pushes away from me, planting her hands on her hips.

“I told Tiero I wouldn’t return to Sicily. Rhia suggested spending time in Ireland.”

“And you think he’s going to accept that? You can’t be that naïve. De Marco has to run his underworld businesses. He needs to be on scene. And he sure as shit isn’t going to let you be in Ireland without him.”

The blush I love so much on her is back, but it’s not because she’s embarrassed. She’s angry now.

Shooting daggers at me, she gets right into my face.

“You seem to think I’m some weak pushover. I’ve learned from my past mistakes. And Tiero—”

“Will never let you have any say in your own life. Get that in your head. He’s a criminal who will maneuver anything to get his way. His world is too dark for you. Ella, you won’t survive in it.”

Steam is coming out of her ears now. Grabbing her jacket and throwing it on, she heads for the door.

“Aiden, I appreciate your concern for my wellbeing. I really do. But right now, we both need to calm down, or this is going to escalate, and we’ll both end up saying things we’ll regret.” With that she leaves.

I watch as the door closes behind her.

F.U.C.K.

I pick up the water bottle from the table beside the sofa and throw it against the wall.

How did this get so out of hand?

I never lose my shit like this. I’m known for always being calm and rational, but nothing has ever mattered to me more than Ella.

How did my life implode in less than twenty-four hours?

My heart is slowly being crushed, the weight of this agony far surpassing any physical pain I’ve ever endured. The scars and wounds of my past seem trivial by comparison.

But despite everything, there’s no way I’m giving up on us.

Chapter Forty

Ella

Ipullthecabindoor closed behind me. Really, I want to slam it. But that would draw too much attention, and God knows what Tiero would do if he saw I’m leaving the cabin upset.

Even if he wasn’t overprotective and likely to confront Aiden, it would lead to more questions about Aiden and me, and that’s the last thing I need.