Put Me in Jail and He Came Begging

Chapter 20: Confessions

The night was cool and silent, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. The air was crisp with the promise of an impending storm, and the dark clouds overhead mirrored the storm within my heart. The world outside was calm, but inside, I was a tempest. Tonight, everything would change. I could feel it in my bones, a sense of destiny tugging at me.

I sat in my office, the dim light from the desk lamp casting long shadows across the room. The documents scattered on my desk were a testament to my newfound success. My business was flourishing, and I was finally standing on my own. But success tasted hollow without closure. And closure, I knew, lay in confronting the one person who had unknowingly held my heart captive for so long.

Leonardo Romano.

My thoughts drifted back to the moments we had shared over the past few months. After my release from jail, we had been thrust together by circumstances beyond our control. The mafia war had forced us into an uneasy alliance, and in the crucible of danger and desperation, we had forged a bond. But beneath the surface, unresolved feelings simmered, threatening to explode at any moment.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost midnight. Leonardo would be here soon. We had agreed to meet tonight, away from the prying eyes of the world, to discuss our next move against our common enemy. But I had a different agenda. Tonight, I would lay bare my soul and demand the truth from him.

The knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat as I stood up, smoothing down my dress and taking a deep breath. This was it. I opened the door to find Leonardo standing there, his dark eyes piercing through the shadows. He looked as formidable as ever, his presence filling the room with an aura of power and danger.

"Alina," he greeted me, his voice a deep rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "You wanted to discuss something?"

"Yes," I replied, stepping aside to let him in. "We need to talk."

He entered the room, his gaze never leaving mine. There was a tension between us, a palpable electricity that crackled in the air. He took a seat on the leather couch, his eyes following my every move as I closed the door and joined him.

"What's on your mind?" he asked, his tone cautious.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "Leonardo, we've been through a lot together these past few months. We've faced danger, made sacrifices, and fought side by side. But there are things we need to address. Things that have been left unsaid for too long."

He raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Go on."

I looked into his eyes, my heart pounding in my chest. "I need to know the truth about your feelings, Leonardo. About us."

For a moment, he was silent, his expression unreadable. Then he sighed, leaning back against the couch. "Alina, you know that my life is complicated. I have responsibilities, enemies, and a past that haunts me. It's not easy for me to open up about my feelings."

"I understand that," I said softly. "But I need to know where I stand. I need to know if there's any hope for us, or if I'm just deluding myself."

He closed his eyes for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. When he opened them again, his gaze was intense. "Alina, you deserve the truth. The truth is, I care about you more than I've ever cared about anyone. But my world is dangerous. I didn't want to drag you into it, to put you at risk."

I felt a surge of emotions at his words – relief, hope, and a lingering doubt. "Then why did you push me away? Why did you choose Sophia over me?"

His jaw tightened, and he looked away, staring at the floor. "Sophia was a mistake. I thought I could protect you by keeping you at a distance, by being with someone who wasn't as vulnerable. But I was wrong. I hurt you, and I regret that more than anything."