Bridging Hearts

22. Breathe with me.

Disclaimer : This chapter does not seek to romanticize mental health issues but instead portrays a moment of vulnerability and support

Him

"You'll be coming over this weekend, right?" Brian's voice crackled through the phone, breaking through the quiet of my office.

"Of course," I replied, glancing out at the London skyline. "I can never miss Natty's birthday." Natty and Brian... They were more than just friends to me. They were family. I owed them everything.

I leaned back in my chair, a small smirk tugging at my lips. "I'll come with a surprise."

"Ooh, a surprise?" Brian's voice had that teasing edge. "What is it?"

"You'll see," I answered, leaving him hanging deliberately. No way I was going to spoil that one.

There was a brief silence before Brian spoke again, his tone shifting. "Dante... Listen."

I sat up straighter, sensing the change. "What is it?"

"I got word... Their new London headquarters is in Mayfair. They'll be back next month."

A cold weight settled in my chest. My pulse quickened, my hands tightening around the phone. "What are the chances we'll find them?"

Brian hesitated. "I don't know. But it's worth trying."

"Right," I muttered, my mind already racing through the implications. There were risks. High ones. But leaving them unchecked wasn't an option. It never had been.

"But we've got to be careful, Dante," Brian added, his voice quieter now. "If we get caught... It'll be worse than when we were younger."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

In an instant, I was no longer in my office. I saw myself—smaller, younger, helpless. Trapped in that place. The cold metal against my skin. The fear gnawing at my insides. The pain. I could barely breathe.

Brian's voice echoed faintly in the background, distant, as if he were miles away.

I saw Natty too, her tear-streaked face. Her small hands shaking as we endured what no one should ever have to endure. I had stood there, trying to protect them the best I could. I'd sworn to keep them safe, to stand strong. But it hadn't been enough. The damage was already done.

I gripped the edge of the desk as my chest tightened. My heart was hammering too fast. I was suffocating. I couldn't think straight, couldn't hear anything but the pounding in my ears.

"Dante? Dante, are you okay?" Brian's voice cut through the fog, but it sounded muffled.

"I... I need to go," I forced out, swallowing hard. "I'll talk to you later."

I hung up before he could respond, barely managing to get the phone out of my hand before the tremor in my fingers grew worse. I shut my eyes, trying to will away the panic, but it was like being caught in a tidal wave. The memories. The pain. It was too much.

I forced myself to focus on the sound of footsteps approaching my office—Tara. She was close. I could feel her presence even before she entered the room, and the moment she did, it was like my body acted on instinct.

As soon as she stepped inside, I pulled her close, lifting her effortlessly and placing her on my desk. Tara gasped, her eyes wide.

"Dante," she whispered, her voice tinged with surprise, her eyes darting towards the door. "What...?"

"What?" I asked, leaning in closer.

"Someone could see us," she whispered urgently.

I didn't care. I slid my hand beneath her shirt, my thumb grazing her skin. "I couldn't care less."

Her brows furrowed, worry etched across her face. "Why are you breathing so heavily? Dante... you're sweating. Are you sick?" Her voice softened as her concern deepened.

"No, it's nothing." The words came out strained, but I couldn't let her see how close I'd come to losing it.

Tara's eyes narrowed as she studied me, but instead of pressing further, she reached up, placing a hand on my chest. "Breathe with me," she whispered.

I tried to focus on her touch, on the way her chest rose and fell slowly, guiding me to match her pace. In and out. Slowly. I followed her lead, feeling the tightness in my chest begin to loosen. Her presence anchored me, pulling me back from the edge.

As the panic subsided, I found myself leaning into her touch, resting my forehead against hers. "What happened?" she asked quietly, her voice gentle but probing.

"I told you, Petardo, it's nothing," I said, the nickname slipping out, familiar and comforting.

She raised a brow, clearly not buying it, but before she could argue, I changed the subject. "Do you want to come with me to a birthday party this weekend?"

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Are you asking?" she teased. "Of course, I would like to join you."

I couldn't help but smile at her playful tone. "Good. Be ready this Friday night."

"Aye, aye, Mr. Grump," she said with a mock salute, swinging her legs off the desk as if to get down.

Before she could leave, I pulled her back, a smirk tugging at my lips. "We could continue what we were doing this morning... if you want."

Her response was half a scold, half amused. "Dante!"

I chuckled at her reaction, unable to resist. "At least give me a kiss. I haven't gotten one all week because of your brother."

Tara rolled her eyes but didn't hesitate. She grabbed me by the collar, pulling me close before her lips met mine. 

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