I'll be damned. I sat down first to think things through. What are the chances? I now know why I kept feeling uneasy. This is serious. I could get her killed. An image of Lee floated in my mind. She would hate me if I don't do something. I can't do nothing. I have to ensure Cara is safe. I checked her file again, looking up her address. I need to talk to her soon.
The next day, I made the arrangements. I would visit her at night. Less risk of people following me and identifying me outside.
I rang her door. I stopped myself from looking over my shoulder. I can't be too obvious.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed after opening the door. She must have looked through the peep hole. She looked angry. She must've gotten over the surprise really quick. I acted like a real stalker.
"Let me in. Let's talk inside." I stated calmly, holding back my fear. She looked at me for ten seconds before she opened the door wider to let me in.
I surveyed her place, walking towards the couch.
"What happened to not knowing where the other lives? How did you know my address?" She asked as she sat down on the seat opposite me. When I didn't sit down, she got up, too. My gaze drifted down to her stomach. She's not showing yet. She must've noticed my gaze because she wrapped her arms around herself.
"About the baby. Are you truly pregnant?" I had to confirm. She sighed, stared at me and rolled her eyes.
"I am." She answered. I suddenly didn't know how to explain things to her.
"Would you consider losing the baby?" I asked, a bit uncomfortable about it, but it was one of the alternatives. Her reaction was extreme. She looked very angry as she glared at me.
"Didn't I say I don't need you for anything? I'm keeping the baby. You can't tell me to go for an abortion." Her tone told me she's firm on her decision. It has been three months already. It wouldn't be safe anyway.
"How about leaving your job? Are you willing to leave your career?" I asked the next important question. If she's keeping the baby, I had to hide her.
There was confusion on her face and she laughed, "Why would I leave my job? This has nothing to do with you. You don't make decisions for me. As I said, I don't need you to do anything. Why are you doing this?" She demanded. Back is the image of the woman who beat a guy up in a bar months and months ago.
I paused. This isn't going well. I ran a hand over my face as I sit down on her couch. I have to tell her everything if I want her to cooperate with me. I stared at her as she watches me warily. She sat down as well.
"This is going to take a while." I started and she had her eyes rolling again.
"I have all night." She replied.
I figured Lee wouldn't have mentioned me to her. She would probably mention me to her husband, and maybe Christan, but nobody else.
"I'm in a dangerous situation." I stated and she only raised an eyebrow this time, not interrupting.
"There are people who want me dead. They also want people I care about to be dead, preferably before they kill me. That's where you come in."
It took a while before she reacted. "You don't care about me." She blurted out.
"They don't know that. All they know is we've been together and now you're carrying my child."
Her hands went over her stomach protectively. "This is my child. We can say it's not yours." I appreciate how her brain quickly thinks.
"Wouldn't change the fact we've been together." I shrugged. That would be the last straw. I can't risk her. I can't be sure whether they know or not, but I have to act on the assumption that they do know. I told her about it.
"Who are they? Why do they want you dead?"
"I was involved in a criminal organization before. I helped bring it down. Some people took it personally." I watched her as she absorbed the information.
"How personal? Look, how sure are you that they'll be after me, too? We only had a few nights together. They can't think we're involved based on that." She tried to make sense of it. She stood up and started pacing.
"They don't need to. The last one they killed was my housekeeper."
I saw her face turning pale. Maybe I shouldn't have said it bluntly.
"Sit down." I stood up to assist her. She froze at the information.
"Last? How many did they kill?" Her gaze is a bit unfocused.
"Related to me? Well, my whole extended family. My fiancée, a couple of girlfriends, a few close buddies, and most recently... my housekeeper."
"You had a couple of girlfriends while you're engaged?" She was frowning. A corner of my lip twitched at the focus of her question.
"I had a fiancée first, then she was killed. I had a girlfriend, and she died, too. I risked another girlfriend and she ended up the same way. I'm not risking another." I explained and she paled even further. I should stop shocking her. I stood up and walked towards her kitchen. I got her a glass of water. I had her drink it up. I rubbed her arm. She feels cold. Her eyes were unfocused as she looks around. Finally, she turned to face me. I could tell the reality is starting to sink in to her. She gulped, opened her mouth, tried to say something and closed it. She took a deep breath.
"Easy there." I tried to be comforting.
She froze up again and I pulled her into my arms.
"Don't overthink. I'll protect you. You have to trust me, though."
She started pushing me back, back to her normal skeptic expression. "How do I know you're telling the truth? You could be making everything up."
I stared into her eyes. "I worked with Lee and Tanya before. Your brothers know me. They'll tell you." I grimaced, imagining them and their reactions.
"They would hate me for getting you involved. I can help hide you so you'll be safe."
I saw her gulp again. I pulled her back.
YOU ARE READING
Our Lovely Nights (Original, English Version)
Storie d'amoreMike is holding on to a sliver of hope. It was a long shot. It will take a long time. And in between, he finds himself forgetting his rules to keep other people safe. Would he risk his heart again? Would he risk someone again? His failures in the pa...
