Page 117 of Shades of Loyalty
Then another. And another. And suddenly, it’s a flood. Years of rage, of pretending I didn’t care, all pouring out of me.
A sound escapes me—one I don’t recognize.
My own sob. Weak. Pathetic. I’m supposed to be strong. But here I am. Broken.
What a good fucking job.
“Daniel.” I don’t look up. I can’t. I don’t deserve to face anyone. Not now.
But then, Hayden is there. Standing in front of me. He doesn’t say anything at first. Just watches me.
Then, without a word, he puts a hand on my shoulder. The weight of it is too much.
I fall to my knees. The cold concrete and puddles of blood meet my palms.
“Hey… you’re not alone,” Hayden says quietly, steady. Unshaken. It almost makes me angry. But then he kneels beside me. Pulls me into his arms. And that’s it. The dam breaks.
The years of pretending I didn’t need anyone. The regret, the rage, the pain—I break under it. Hayden doesn’t say anything else.
He doesn’t have to. He’s here. And for now, that’s enough.
I’ve lost her. But I’m not completely lost. Not yet.
Not as long as Hayden’s here. Not as long as I still have a chance to fix this.
Chapter Forty-three
Jennifer
I watch Mary and Enzo in their beds, napping peacefully. While I may seem calm outside to the woman next to me, my pulse is racing, like it’s about to explode.
It’s been almost three hours since I saw the man I love covered in blood. Since I saw him shoot someone’s head off.
But I can’t shake the image from my mind. Even two hours of playing with the kids didn’t help.
I sigh and take another sip of my coffee, staring at the wall. God, the coffee tastes bitter—almost like blood.
God, stop. Stop thinking like that.
It gets me nauseous.
My body snaps out of its shock when Victoria moves beside me, looking at me intently. “We need to talk.”
Oh shit. What now? Did something happen? Did I say something out loud?
“What—” She cuts me off.
A knowing smile plays on her lips as her eyes fall to my chest. “That necklace, Jenny. I know that one.”
Oh, fuck. Thank God. It’s just that. But even then, it makes my stomach turn. My throat tightens like I can’t breathe.
I take a deep breath, forcing the words out. “Lilia gave it to me before she died. She wanted me to…,” I trail off, the image of Daniel flooding my mind. I swallow hard.
“She wanted me to be with Daniel. Be a part of the family.”
Victoria smiles warmly. “We all want you to be a part of our family. I mean, you already are.”
Her words make my chest feel warm, happiness spreading, but there’s guilt, too. Guilt for running away from him.
