The Secrets She Kept

Chapter 32

It was finally time. Men were loading into the SUV's outside. I spotted Luca watching everyone. He was lost in thought and didn't look like himself. "Lana." I turned to see Carla and Delilah standing next to me. "Yeah?" I answered. "Please stay behind." Carla said, touching my arm trying to comfort me. "Did Luca send you to talk to me?" I snapped. "No Lana, we're coming to you as people who genuinely care about you." Delilah answered. I laughed at that. Delilah and I never got along. How could she possibly care about me?

"I'm serious Lana, I know we haven't gotten along much, but you're important to Robbie, which makes you important to me. Please don't go." Delilah looked as though she might actually be concerned.

"Delilah, you've always criticized me and judged me, and I never really cared but you know why I didn't care? You're not a mother. You don't understand what it's like. You have no right to ask me to stay behind when it's my child's life on the line." I tried to stay calm.

"Lana, no one wants you there, you're the one thing Antonio wants." Carla stepped in.

"I'll give myself to him if that's what it takes. I can't negotiate for my child's life if I'm not there. I understand Antonio better than anyone, this is something I have to do." I hoped she would understand. I really did, the last thing I wanted was to leave on bad terms with anyone, especially Carla. "Lana, please." She begged.

"I'm not talking about this anymore." I turned and walked away.

"Lana, you're the only sister I've ever had! I care about Leah too! Don't risk your life, let us do it for you!" Carla snatched my arm, forcing me to look at her. "It's not your place!" I snapped back at her.

"Lana, calm down." Luca placed a hand on my arm.

"No! I've spent the last five years keeping her away from her family, and mine for her own protection. If something happens to her it was all for nothing! I am the only one who can truly do this! Antonio wants me! Not you! He wants me more than he wants you dead! And I'm going to use that!" I jerked my arm away from him and Carla. Everyone quietly stood around watching, unsure what to do. I was frustrated and pissed. How could I expect any of them to understand the position I'm in? No one could possibly know what this feels like. To spend five years protecting my child from my past, only for it to come back and bite me in the ass. I never should've brought Leah home. I quickly shoved past everyone and hopped into an SUV in the front.