Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Alessio walked closer and stopped in front of me. He tilted my chin up so our gazes met. His was filled with warmth. His eyes shifted to my lips, and I licked them nervously.
He moved even closer, until our chests brushed together. I sucked in a deep breath and waited for him move.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he murmured, his gaze moving back to my lips.
“Okay,” I whispered back.
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, a flash of pain went through my skull. I winced, my fingers tightening around the flower.
Memories after memories flashed behind my closed eyes.
I couldn’t stop them. They kept coming without a pause. So much. Too much at the same time. My head felt like it was going to explode.
My heart raced as each memory made its way into my thoughts.
Another wave of pain crashed through me. It was crippling, and I dropped the flower, my hands going to my head.
I dug my fingers in my head, the world spinning around me.
No. No. No. No.
Stop!
It hurt. It hurt so much.
“Ayla!” I heard a voice calling out my name.
Alessio. He was calling for me.
I tried to respond, but my tongue felt heavy. My lips parted, but instead a wounded cry left my mouth.
My throat closed up, and I rubbed at my neck furiously, trying to fight for my next breath.
My knees buckled, but an arm caught me. “Ayla! Fuck.”
My head pounded as I sank into oblivion.
This. This was why I didn’t want to remember.
The pain. It felt like my heart was being wrenched open. I was bleeding. From the inside, I was being cut open.
I would never forget the pain. I wanted to forget; I wanted to be numb.
But it was too late now.
I had remembered, and now I had to live with those memories.
Chapter 14
My head ached as my eyes slowly opened. I felt heavy. I blinked my eyes open, trying to understand what just happened.
I focused on the ceiling, my head a little fuzzy.
“Ayla?”
At the sound of my name, I turned my head toward the voice. My eyes made contact with blues one.
Alessio!
My heart stuttered, and I let out a choked cry. I remembered everything. Every moment. Every word he said. And everything after.
Alberto.
My eyes widened, and I sat up quickly. There was no escaping him.
“Shhh…I’m right here, Angel,” Alessio soothed. He held my hands in his as he tried to smile. He looked worried, and I saw the fear in his eyes.
I couldn’t stop the tears. Alessio found me. He was here. He was really here.
He saved me…
I was safe.
He took me away from hell.
My heart soared, and I quickly scrambled into his lap. “Alessio,” I sobbed, wrapping my arms around him.
Burying my face in his neck, I cried. I had believed in Alessio. I had trusted him.
For once, I was happy that I never lost hope.
No matter what, I knew he would come for me.
My heart soared, and I held him tighter. I never wanted to let go.
I would never let go. He was mine as much as I was his. The day our eyes met, our fate had been decided.
“I got you, Angel.”
Those words. His voice. It had the same effect on my heart just as before. His voice was exactly what I needed to hear.
And those words…I had been desperate for them.
I knew he got me. He always did.
Alessio held me against him, and he whispered sweet words in my ears, letting me know he was here.
He placed gentle kisses over my face, soothing away all the pain.
“Alessio,” I whispered brokenly. “I remember, Alessio.”
His arms tightened around my waist. His lips pressed against my temple. “You remember?” he asked hoarsely.
I could hear the emotion in his voice. His hands were shaking on my hips, and I held him tighter. I nodded against his neck. “I remember everything.”
Alessio pulled away so he could stare at me. His eyes roamed over my face and then stared deep into my eyes. I saw the glassy look in his.
“You really remember?” he asked again, his soft voice caressing me.
When I nodded, Alessio crushed me to his chest. “Ayla. Fuck. I was worried. So scared. I thought…you would never…”
“You found me,” I hiccupped back a sob.
“I found you. I will always find you, Angel,” he agreed. I looked up, staring into his captivating blue eyes.
“Alessio, I’m not the traitor.”
His hand pressed against my lips, stopping my flow of words. “No. You are not. I know you aren’t. I never thought you were. I trusted you before, and I trust you now.”
“You believe me? But…before…at the beach…”
Alessio flinched at the memory, and even I felt a sharp pain in my chest.
“I was hurt, Ayla. I just found out the woman I desperately love was an Abandonato. I was just angry, but never once did I think you were the spy. I just needed some time alone. When I had time to think, I understood why you didn’t say anything,” he explained.