Page 34 of Branded in Love
“Fine!” I scowl.
Luciana's thudding footsteps dash down the hallway and into the bedroom. As my fury slowly fades, my hands quiver with anxiety. Suddenly, she storms out of the room carrying her gym bag, and heads downstairs in a hurry.
“What are you doing?” I mumble, letting my guard down. I can’t afford to fight her anymore.
She stops at the front door. “Isn’t it obvious?” she says with gritting teeth. “I’m going home.”
I move closer. “You can’t do this,” I tell her in a low voice, when what I ache to scream is,Don’t do this to me.
Luciana shoots one eyebrow skyward. “Oh, can’t I?” she says, slipping her gym bag’s strap on her shoulder. Her cheeks and nose blush. Pain stiffens her expression, not anger. “Watch me.”
I follow her to the door. “Luciana…” I glide my fingers through my hair. How can I stop her? “It’s dangerous,” I say, subdued.
She glares at me with watery eyes. “I’m sure you can spare one of your many guards to keep watch over me,” she says, and then pulls the door open.
My lips part, but no sound comes through. In an instant, Luciana is out and slams the door behind her. Hurt and frustration tangle in my throat. Every muscle in my body strains. A storm brews inside me, and when my body no longer can contain it, it comes out in a roar of grief.
I sweep every vase and picture frame from the credenza beside me. Porcelain and crystal shatter as they hit the floor. My balance falters and I lean against the wall. But as my anger wanes, it breaks me, and I slip to the ground. Tears of bitterness rim my eyes.
Did I not want her away from my life, where she could be safe? No. That's what my mind wanted, but my heart at all times whisperedno... Why can't I change the hand fate has given me? Why must I always be this flawless figure of unrelenting power?
Father made it seem so easy.
I'm trying to do what's best for Luciana, what's best for my clan... Then why does it wound me so? I bury my face in my hands, painfully aware that by protecting her, I've destroyed the woman I love.
25
GAVRIIL
Hours pass. I stay up all night, sitting by the window that faces her apartment. Like a fool, I hope she might look my way, peering through the pulled curtains. She does not. I can’t even see if she’s turned the lights on. My brother Dima keeps watch of her place. I sent him, along with four more members of the Elite, but Luciana refused to be protected by that many guards.
She will be safe under Dima’s watch. I should be at ease. However, I can’t stop staring at her window.
How long have I been awake? I don’t know. Thunder rumbles outside, and a cool breeze filters through the windows. The skies are dismal. I cannot tell whether it’s early in the morning or late in the evening.
It was an overcast afternoon when I met Luciana. Effortlessly, my lips curl into half a smile as I look back on that day. How she struck me with her heavy bag, ruthless as she fought for her vampire date. I think of the glare she gave me when Natalya sprayed her face... Finding her in the living room, lovely in her oversized white t-shirt. I remember making love to her. The total release of being myself with her—not the Ursa King. Not the Alexeev warlock. Just me. Gavriil.
Family and duty come first.I’ve stuck to my duty as my father always taught me, as Vlad so callously reminded me... Then why do I feel so rotten? Why do I feel like I’ve destroyed my one shot at happiness in life?
Fuck, this is messed up.Iam messed up.
“Gavriil…” a soft voice says.
My gaze angles lazily to the bedroom’s doorway, and I see my cousin standing there. Long chestnut hair and bangs framing her angelic face. She seems cozy, in dark denim and a cream wool turtleneck sweater. On top, she wears a brown leather jacket, sprinkled with water droplets.
Natalya moves closer. She sits next to me, on the floor. “???????…”Sweetheart,she calls me in my mother tongue. Her tender hand cups the side of my face.
My stare becomes vacant and strays to the floor. “What are you doing here?” I speak in Russian.
“Sasha called me,” she says. A sigh escapes her lips. “He told me what happened.”
I knit my eyebrows. “Did he?” I say, unsure of how I feel about my Enforcer’s meddling.
Natalya flinches at the tone of my voice. She purses her lips. “He told me you’ve not slept or eaten since yesterday,” she continues, folding her warm hand on mine. “He’s worried.” She exhales a long breath. “I am too.” Her gaze glides to the window. “And this weather… It hasn’t stopped raining since yesterday. I’m assuming you’re behind it?”
“Possibly,” I mumble, avoiding her stare. “What more did Sasha tell you?”
“That Volodya found you,” she says, her voice drifting into a hushed whisper.
