Mafia's Captive |(His Captive)|✓

Chapter 34

Eighteen months had passed since that fateful day, and as I sat on the edge of my bed in the rehab center, I stared blankly at the wall. The sterile smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils, a scent I had grown accustomed to but never comfortable with. A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Ms. Gaia," Nurse Elodie said gently in her French, peeking her head inside. "You've been discharged."

A sudden pang hit my chest, a mixture of relief and anxiety. Discharged. The word hung heavy in the air. I was free to leave, but where would I go? The rehabilitation centre had become my refuge, a place where I could hide from the world and my past.

"Thank you, Nurse Elodie," I managed to say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. It was funny how I got a hold of their French accent but couldn't learn the language except for saying Merci.

Elodie gave me a kind smile. "There's a car waiting for you outside. All your accommodations have been arranged."

I nodded, though the uncertainty gnawed at me. I knew Kazimir was behind this. He had been my silent benefactor throughout my recovery. Every time I needed something, it had magically appeared, always with a sense of Kazimir's presence behind it. But the thought of facing the world outside, of stepping into a life I no longer recognized, made me feel homeless.

Carina had visited me a month ago. The meeting had been bittersweet. Carina had urged me to come back to Nevada, assuring me that I was now healthy enough to return. But I had refused. Nevada held too many memories, too much pain. It was a place that no longer belonged to me.

"You know you can come back to Nevada," Carina had said, her eyes full of concern.

I had shaken my head. "No, Carina. Nothing belongs to me there anymore."

Carina hadn't pressed me, and I had been grateful. If there was one person who understood the true meaning of love, it was Carina.

I stood up and gathered my knickknacks. I had always been an insecure girl, but Kazimir had given me a reason to love myself. He had shown me the depth of my strength, the power of my resilience. I loved Kazimir with all my heart, without a shadow of doubt. But between the two of us, it was now up to Kazimir. He needed to love himself first and understand his true feelings for me.

Stepping out onto the balcony, I overlooked the vast farmland that surrounded the rehab center. The fields were in full bloom, vibrant flowers swaying gently in the breeze. These flowers were the source of the finest perfumes in the world, their scent a reminder of nature's beauty and resilience.

The sun was warm on my face, and as I closed my eyes, I felt a presence behind me. A familiar presence. I turned slowly, my heart skipping a beat.

Kazimir stood there, looking almost unrecognizable. Gone was the wild-haired, tattoo-covered beast I had known. His hair was neatly trimmed, and he wore a white cheesecloth shirt that showed the outline of his immaculate tattoos. Khaki pants and loafers completed his look. He looked refined and tamed, yet there was still an edge of raw strength in his posture.

My gaze travelled over his body, taking in the changes. He blushed under my scrutiny, a sight that made my heart swell with affection. "You look... different," I said softly, a smile playing on my lips.

Kazimir shifted, his eyes meeting mine. "I've changed, Gaia. For you. For us."

We stood there for a moment, the silence filled with unspoken words and emotions. I took a step closer, my hand reaching out to touch his. "I love you, Kazimir," I whispered. "I always have."

Kazimir's grip tightened around my hand. "And I love you, Gaia. More than anything. You were right, I had to learn to love myself first. To be the man you deserve."

"And do you..."

"I can be difficult to love sometimes, but I manage." he chuckled.

Tears pricked at my eyes. "You've always been that man to me, Kazimir. You just had to see it for yourself."

He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. "I'm sorry for everything," he murmured into my hair. "For not being there when you needed me. For all the pain I caused."

I shook my head, pulling back to look at him. "We both needed to grow, to heal. And we did. Together."

Kazimir cupped my face in his hands, his eyes searching mine. "I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you, Gaia. To build a future together."

I smiled through my tears, my heart filled with hope and love. "Then let's start now. Together."

We kissed, a tender, heartfelt kiss that spoke of promises and new beginnings. As we pulled apart, Kazimir's eyes shone with determination. "There's something I need to tell you," he said. "About the Bratva and the Camorra. Things are tense but stable. We have been working to keep the peace."

I nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. "And you? Are you safe?"

Kazimir sighed, a shadow passing over his face. "It hasn't been easy. There were times I thought I wouldn't make it. But I did. And it was worth it. Because it means I can stand here with you now."

I felt a surge of pride and love for the man standing before me. He had faced unimaginable challenges, but he had emerged stronger, and more determined. "I'm proud of you, Kazimir," I said softly. "You've become the man I always knew you could be."

Kazimir smiled a genuine, heartfelt smile. "And I'm proud of you, Gaia. For your strength, your resilience. For never giving up."

We stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, as the sun set behind us, casting a warm glow over the fields. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, it felt filled with promise and hope.

As we turned to go inside, Kazimir spoke again. "There's someone I need to see before we leave for France. He's been helping me manage things here."

I nodded, knowing there was still much to be done, but also knowing we would face it together. "I'll be here," I said, squeezing his hand.

Kazimir kissed my forehead, a soft, lingering kiss. "I won't be long. And then, we'll start our new life. Together."

I watched him go, my heart full. I had found my way back to love, and I knew, without a doubt, that we would face whatever came next, hand in hand.

The end.