Page 82 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

Though the path forward is still clouded, uncertain, I sigh in relief.“Thanks, Tommy.You’ve always had my back.”

“Always will,” he replies in a gruff voice.

We stand there in silence, watching the city below, each of us lost in our thoughts.The night stretches on, the air cool against my skin, the lights of Boston flickering like stars against the darkness.

Whatever decision I make, I won’t abandon them.Not now, not ever.Alexia and Rose are my family, and I’ll fight for them with everything I am.Even if it means tearing down the empire I’ve built, even if it means stepping away from the life I’ve known.

Because Tommy’s right.They make me a better man.

And maybe that will be enough.

33

Alexia

Istand in the middle of Dave’s living room, feeling small against the vastness of the cityscape that stretches beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.The view outside is breathtaking—Boston’s skyline shimmering in the evening, lights reflecting off the water, creating an ethereal, dreamlike effect.But it’s the open space within that unsettles me right now, the silence filled with things we have left unsaid.

The apartment is tastefully furnished in shades of cream and soft grays that lend an understated elegance.The dark hardwood floors gleam beneath a sprawling white rug.The clean, modern lines are softened by the rust-colored throw pillows on the sofa and the low coffee table that holds a leather-bound book.Everything about this place speaks of luxury and wealth.

Dave stands in front of me, his green eyes fixed on me.A few rebellious strands of his dark hair are falling over his forehead.His shirt is partially unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up, exposing the muscular forearms decorated with tattoos.I catch a glimpse of a silver chain around his neck and my heart stutters.I recognize the chain with a pendant depicting St.George slaying a dragon.I gave him that a lifetime ago, but I didn’t see it until now.

“Alexia, the last few days…” His voice trails off; he clears his throat.“I thought I was losing my mind.”His green eyes flicker with an intensity that melts my heart, turns my knees to jelly.He takes a step closer.“Almost losing you and Rose has torn something open inside me.It made me realize…” He pauses as if searching for words powerful enough to express his feelings.“I can’t keep you and Rose in my world.Loving you has been like putting you both in a prison.It’s not right.I love you…”

My heart bursts at the seams, but when I try to reply, he touches a finger to my lips.

His jaw tightens.“Please hear me out first.In our case, love means I have to let you go, even if it kills me.The one thing I can give you now—something you didn’t have five years ago—is freedom.I want you and Rose to be free of the shadows in this life, the darkness in my life.”

My chest tightens as my heart sinks.Suppressing the impulse to scream at his nonsense, I shake my head.There’s a rawness in his eyes that tugs at the deepest part of me.He means it.This isn’t a test.He’s ready to let us go.

He turns away, his broad shoulders tense, fingers clenching and unclenching at his sides.“I can get you new identities,” he continues in a soft whisper.“Once Rose is out of the hospital, I’ll make sure you both disappear.I’ll take you anywhere you want, Alexia.You’ll have enough money, everything you need to start over.No one will ever find you.Not Igor’s associates, no one.I’ll make sure of that.”

His words land like a blow to my stomach, and I grip the edge of the white sofa to steady myself.“Y-you would just let us go?”I stutter, choking out, struggling to control my spiraling thoughts.

Dave turns back to me.I see a mix of emotions in his gaze—pain, resignation, love.“What choice do I have?”His voice breaks in a way I’ve never heard before.“Every day I keep you with me, I put you in danger.And our daughter…” He swallows hard, his eyes darkening.My heart swells at the way he talks about Rose.“She deserves a life where she can be happy.Not constantly looking over her shoulder.”

Tears well up, blurring my vision, and I blink them back.After a deep inhale, I counter, “What about you, Dave?What will you do?”

He lets out a humorless chuckle, running a hand through his hair.“I’ll keep hunting Igor’s pedophile network.I’ll make sure there’s nothing left of their child trafficking ring.And after all that, if my business still puts a target on you, I’ll leave the Syndicate.I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you both safe.”

My heart pounds at the finality of his tone.I know how much his family’s business means to him.Leaving the Syndicate would be like severing a part of himself.And yet, he’s offering to do it for us.

“Why are you doing this?”I ask softly as a surge of emotions grips me.

He steps closer, his face inches from mine, and I can see his torment etched in every line of his expression.“Because I love you.I’ve loved you since before I even understood what love was.I’ll keep loving you until the day I die.But I won’t chain you to my dark world.I won’t make you pay for the sins of my family.You and Rose deserve more than I can give.”

He reaches up, his hand trembling slightly as he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear.His touch is gentle, reverent even, and it sends a shiver down my spine.“Promise me, Alexia.Promise me you’ll take the way out.For Rose.For yourself.”

My heart is at war with my mind.Logic screams at me to take Rose and run.But looking into his eyes, I see a man willing to sacrifice his own happiness for mine.What else can I ask for?

I reach out, cupping his face in my hands, the rough stubble pricking my palms.“You’re right, but you don’t get to make this decision for me.Did you ever stop to think if I want a way out of your life?”

He stares at me, confusion making his eyes wider.“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that you’re right to think that Rose and I deserve a life without fear.But, for me, that life has to include you.We’ll find a way to make this work.”

His expression shifts to a hopeful one.“You’d stay?After everything I’ve done?”

“Yes,” I breathe, my voice firm, leaving no room for doubt.“Because I love you, too, Dave.And I believe in you.I believe in us.”

---