Chapter 23

Twenty-Three

Elena

I smile as I set the kid's tables up, ready for tomorrow.

Today is an in-service day, which means the kids have the day off while I prepare for them to return tomorrow.

I swear I love my job, I just hope Rome will be okay with me returning after my maternity leave is up, because not returning isn't an option for me.

Teaching is everything. I love seeing their eyes light up when they get something right, and watching the wheels turn in their heads….

I grab the workbooks and place them on each desk, ready for their pop quiz, as my mind wonders about Rome. We spent the whole day in bed yesterday, only leaving for food. He gave all the staff a day off, and told his family he was unavailable, so it was just us.

I honestly don't know why he's still with me; I've been so emotional and irrational, and he's gotten the brunt of it.

My eyes tear up again, and I will them to go away as I blow out a breath.

"Cannot believe I accused him of cheating with her," I mutter with frustration, slamming a book down.

I knew I was out of line as soon as I said the words, which is why I ran into the bathroom. But Rome, being Rome, didn't let me wallow in my guilt. Instead, he brought me out of my head and ensured he was all I could see.

I huff, walking over to my desk.

My emotions have been ridiculous for the past ten weeks, and they are even starting to scare me.

Every insecure thought I've ever had where my husband is concerned has come out like a lightning bolt, and I couldn't stop them, even though I've tried.

Stupid hormones. I know for a fact, if I wasn't pregnant, I would have laughed in his face and shouted karma for how I've treated him lately.

I check the time, and smile. It's nearly lunchtime, which means I get to leave and go see my husband. He said his business meeting should be finished by the time I get there, which is good because I know my father and cousin are a part of it, and knowing what it's about….

I shake my head.

To think Rome's going to own a BDSM club is just wild, but knowing we can test it out…I'm kind of excited about it. He hasn't tied me up before or anything like that, and I know I want to try it, but not in front of anyone.

The bedroom is just for me and him….

Smiling a little, I stand up, ready to leave, when my classroom door flies open, making me jump as I make eye contact with my sister.

I flinch at the hate in her eyes before I notice what's in her hand, and I take a step back in fear.

She smirks, bringing the metal bat up. I take another step back, my legs hitting my desk as she sneers, "Now, where was I before I was locked up and promised to a Spanish lowlife, who can't climb out of the streets?" She tilts her head, her badly dyed blonde hair swishing to the side in the high ponytail she has it in. She reminds me, "Ah yes, I was trying to kill you and that brat of yours so I can have my Don."

My breathing picks up as I notice Damian standing behind her with a sadistic grin on his face, ensuring I can't leave.

Oh God….

Liliya screams like a war cry and runs toward me, the bat in the air. I try to dodge her, my right hand on my bump while my left goes to my necklace. Rome's words hitting me from the day I was given the necklace.

He gently cups my cheeks and murmurs, "Just remember, my farfalla . If anything is to happen, if you're in danger and your guard is outside, press the little diamond at the bottom of the stone. It's a panic button."

I furrow my brows, about to question why his family had it installed, but he kisses me, and like the idiot I am for this man, I melt, sighing and wishing he was mine forever….

Wishing he loved me like I loved him….

"You destroyed my life," Liliya shouts, and she smacks the bat down on my desk, the bang echoing, making me flinch as I press the panic button.

My breathing picks up, side-eyeing Damian, who’s leaning against the doorframe, watching with a smile.

I know I have to fight back. Aldo is out the front gates, and my classroom is on the other end of the school, but I'm pregnant and much slower….

Panic and fear rush through me, a cold sweat instantly coating my body.

Liliya points the bat at me and states, "Prepare to die, dear sestra ."

My nostrils flare. Her eyes are crazy, and her body is wound up tight. She blames me for everything, including being born, and yet, where she is now, that was on her; it was her bad choices.

Anger takes hold, and I sneer at her, "You destroyed your own life, Liliya, by being a fucking whore." Her face goes red, and I ask, "Does Damian know you still have chlamydia?"

I catch Damian stiffening just as Liliya runs toward me, screaming.

I barely duck as she swings the bat, the tip skimming my head, before I stumble back a little, grabbing the smartboard for support. I look up in time to see the bat coming my way again, and I grab it. The metal slaps hard against my palms, making them sting, but I grip it and pull, trying to take it from her. She growls, pulling it back, making me stumble as she tries to pry it from my grip.

"Let go, you stupid cunt!" she shouts, her eyes wild and pupils large. She tries yanking the bat, but I shove forward, the momentum making her stumble.

She lets go of the bat, falling backward on her butt. She screeches in outrage and quickly gets to her feet despite her heels. Leaning forward, she runs at me, her hands fisted, ready to hit my stomach, and without thinking, I lift the bat and swing, smashing it over her head, a crack echoing.

Her head swings to the side, her whole body tilting before she falls. I watch in horror as she bangs her temple on the corner of my desk before her body hits the floor, her head bouncing off it. I drop the bat out of shock, completely forgetting about Damian, my gaze on my sister's opened eyes, her body still, blood pooling around her hair, turning it darker.

I-I, oh God, I killed her, I killed my sister….

I take a step back, bile rising, before I feel someone behind me. I quickly turn and come face to face with Damian's dark, angry eyes before he swings the bat, hitting me hard in the head.

Everything goes black before I even hit the floor.