Double Betrayal, Broken Donna Chapter 09
I turned to go. Rocco came through the gate before I’d taken two steps caught my wrist.
Tears streaked his gaunt face. Every word came out broken.
“Camelia, I know what I did. Please don’t shut me out like this. How can you be so heartless?”
Heartless. He was actually calling me heartless.
A laugh tore out of me – raw and jagged. I ripped my wrist free. My voice kept rising.
“I’m heartless? You scheduled an abortion behind my back and had your enforcers drag me to the table –
was that supposed to be love?”
“You crawled into bed with my best friend and called me the dirty one was that kindness?”
–
“After everything you did, you don’t get to call me heartless. You lost that right.”
The memories hit all at once, and something inside me cracked wide open.
Rocco flinched. He actually stepped back.
“Camelia – hey, easy. Please.”
I couldn’t. The damage was already done – carved into me, permanent.
I hated him. I hated him for destroying the only safe place I ever had. My voice was loud enough to carry
through the whole house.
Victor was there in seconds – out the door, behind me, his arms wrapping around me before I could fall
apart.
He pressed my face into his shoulder, shielding me from Rocco’s sight. When he spoke, it was barely above a
whisper.
“I’m here, Camelia.”
“You’re safe. I’ve got you. Just breathe.”
His warmth seeped into me. The shaking eased – not gone, but manageable. My voice still cracked when I
spoke.
“Make him go. Victor, please – I can’t look at him.”
He tucked my face against his chest. I couldn’t see his face – but I could feel his whole body go rigid.
When he spoke again, his voice was a blade.
“Don Caruso. Leave my estate. Now.”
Rocco’s voice dropped to match. Underneath the ice was jealousy, barely concealed
“Get your hands off my wife. Who the hell do you think you are?”
Rocco’s raised voice hit me like a shock wave. My whole body seized. Victor murmured into my hair – words
I couldn’t make out, but the sound of them held me together.
“Rocco, get out! Can’t you see what you’re doing to her?”
For the first time, Rocco actually looked at me – really looked at me. His voice dropped.
“Camelia… what’s happening to you?”
I grabbed the back of Victor’s shirt in my fist. Held on like he was the only solid thing left.
“I don’t want to see him.”
“Go inside, okay? I’ll handle this.”
I nodded and walked away. Behind me, Rocco was still calling my name.
Victor stepped between us. By the time I reached the door, their voices had faded into nothing.
From the window, I could see them. A brutal, bloody brawl. No enforcers, no guns-just raw, ugly violence. I
watched long enough to see Victor could handle himself, then I turned away.
I don’t know how long it took. When Victor finally came inside, he went down on one knee in front of me.
“He won’t come back.”
I stared at the bruises blooming across his cheek. My chest ached.
“It’s nothing. It doesn’t even hurt.” He caught my hand and pressed it to his cheek. “See?”
–
His skin was warm under my palm. My hand slid down over his jaw, over his neck – and I let my arms
settle around him.
“Victor – I want this. I want you.”
He went still – just for a heartbeat. Then his arms came around me and held me tight.
After that, Rocco was gone. For real this time.
–
Packages kept showing up at Victor’s door, though with no return address. Aromatherapy candles.
Weighted blankets. A white-noise machine. Everything chosen for someone trying to heal.
I knew who they were from. Every single one went straight into the trash.
Months passed like that.
I got better – slowly, and then all at once. Victor proposed on a Tuesday. I said yes before he even finished
the question.
On the morning of the wedding, already in my bridal gown, I found a letter. No name on the envelope
I recognized the handwriting before I even read a single word.
I should’ve thrown it away. Instead, I opened it.
[Camelia. It’s Teresa.]
[I heard you’re getting married, so I’m writing this while I still have the chance.]
[Rocco’s convoy was ambushed by a rival Syndicate. He took two bullets to the chest. He’s in a coma. And I’m trapped with that man again – every second of it is a punishment I earned.]
[Maybe this is what we deserve. I think about it sometimes – what would’ve happened if I’d gotten help when I first realized something was wrong with me. If I’d seen a doctor instead of destroying everyone around me.
Would any of this have happened?]
[It’s too late for that now.]
[Camelia, I know you hate me. But you were the only real friend I ever had. The only one who ever mattered.]
There was more. I didn’t make it that far.
Victor took the letter from my fingers. He didn’t even look at it. He just crushed it in his fist.
“Your life started over, Camelia. All of that is behind you now. Don’t let them back in.”
I looked at him. And for the first time in a long time, the smile came without effort.
I slid my arm through his.
“You’re right. You always are.”
“From here on out – it’s just us.”