Page 70 of Saving You Losing Me

My blood runs cold as I picture the scene, her injuries testament to her words.

“I saw the gun taped to the underside of his desk and I didn’t stop to think.”

Her voice holds a hint of pride as she whispers, “I shot him, Atom. Right between his manic eyes.His blood drenched me as he fell on top of me and it took all my strength to crawl out from under him. It hurt so much, I could hardly breathe and my legs weren’t doing a good job of supporting me. But I knew I had to get away. Call for help and I didn’t have long before his men returned. So, I came here. To Jet and Lucy, who were members of a select few who have shown me any kindness in the entire time I’ve been married to that monster.”

It hurts hearing her confession. Picturing the pain she endured and subsequently will live with for the rest of her life. If Michael was still alive, it would be my pleasure to inflict a slow and painful death on his wretched soul, but she had that right to be the one to slay the dragon.

For a while we allow silence to cleanse the air between us because despite my pity and the pain her words brought me, it doesn’t change a thing. I can’t allow it to and so my mind swings to the practicalities of her situation and I say with a deep sigh.

“Emilio.”

She physically trembles. “Will take over.”

We both know this will be fact, and I see her dilemma.

“He knows I am the beneficiary of Michael’s will. The businesses, the land on which the house once stood, and all of his money is mine.”

Clara leans back and visibly winces as the pain reminds her of what her body has been through.

“I don’t want to be a part of that world anymore, Atom. Emilio is worse than Michael. He will force me into something I want no part of and manipulate the situation to his advantage. He won’t be able to pick up where Michael left off if he doesn’t have me, and I can’t allow that to happen. I would rather die than be involved with him in any way, but all the time he knows where I am, whereweare, we are no longer safe.”

It’s as if a lightbulb explodes in her head because she raises her stricken eyes to mine and gasps, “The girls. He will use them against me. What am I going to do, Atom? I can’t let that happen.”

At the mention of her daughters, fresh pain washes away any compassion I may have felt.Hisdaughters. Michael’s blood. He took my life and made it his and the evidence lives and breathes in the innocent.

“Where are they?”

“Jared Washington’s house. They are having a sleepover tonight.”

“Call his wife and ask for an extension. Tell her about the fire. Tell her Michael is dead.”

“But.”

I say roughly, “You must play your part, Clara. You are homeless and just lost your husband. You can’t deal with two children at the same time. She will expect nothing else and be happy to help.”

“But Emilio. He will find them.”

“At Jared Washington’s house.” I laugh bitterly. “Even D’Angelo isn’t that much of a fool. That is the safest place for them until you have settled into The Darkside.”

I watch the blood drain from her face as she gasps, “We can stay here. Lucy offered me her apartment. I don’t want–”

“You don’t have a choice.”

My voice is hard and almost cracks as I say through gritted teeth. “This apartment is no match for D’Angelo. You will be easy pickings if you remain here. The Darkside is protected, and he knows that. You and your kids will have a home there until we sort this shit out. Just make certain you stay the fuck away from me.”

She visibly flinches as I say cruelly, “I don’t want to be in this position, but I am. I would do the same for any woman needing help in this situation. But that’s all it is. Compassion for a fellow human being. Don’t read anything else into it because where you are concerned, there is nothing but an empty space in my memory where you once stood.”

She says nothing, but the misery on her face speaks a thousand words and I jerk my head toward the bedroom.

“Do what you must. We need to leave as soon as possible. The sooner we are in the safety of my club, the sooner we can sort this shit out.”

To her credit, she doesn’t argue and merely stands and nods, accepting the offer of help for what it is. As she turns to leave, she whispers with a thousand apologies riding on her words. “I really appreciate this, Atom. It’s more than generous of you.”

As she moves past me, I pointedly look in the other direction because I will not allow this woman anywhere near my emotions again. I can’t. She would destroy me for a second time because one thing I already know about Clara Santobello is that she does things to suit her own agenda and nobody else’s.

CHAPTER 37

CLARA

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