17. Hannah

I'm not sure if I eventually passed out or just cried myself to sleep. Whatever the case, my dreams are filled with Vin and he's always just out of my reach, disappearing the moment I reach out to touch him.

At some point, morning comes and it's Saturday, so I tuck my knees up to my chest and don't worry about getting up or going to work. I'm still trying to decide if I can stay and work for Vin, but I don't see how that's going to be possible. It's just going to be too damn painful to face him every day. I don't think my heart can take it.

Drifting in and out of sleep, putting off getting up, I start having strange dreams about Caleb. I'm back on the auction platform and, this time, Vin doesn't come to my rescue. Caleb ends up winning me and as he's dragging me out, I scream for Vin.

Jumping up from the nightmare, my eyes pop open and I breathe a sigh of relief. It isn't real, just a dream. Suddenly, a loud banging fills the air. Or, maybe someone's been banging for a couple of minutes now. I'm still fuzzy from sleep so I'm not sure.

"Hang on, I'm coming," I grumble, shoving my sleep-mussed hair back. Everything sways when I stand up and I give myself a moment to get steadied. Pain throbs through my head from drinking too much and my bleary eyes take a moment to adjust.

When I finally reach the door, I hear a woman saying my name. Who is here so early? I wonder and pull the door open. My gaze lands on Carlotta and there's a beautiful woman with long, dark hair standing beside her.

"Carlotta? What're you doing here?"

"We've come to mediate," Carlotta announces, walking past me. "Hannah, this is Alessia, Miceli's wife."

"Um, hi," I say, watching as they stroll into my dark apartment and begin opening the blinds and windows.

"Ugh, you need some fresh air in here," Carlotta states, wrinkling her nose. "It smells like a winery."

"That's being polite," Alessia says. "More like a brewery."

They eye the empty wine bottle still sitting on the coffee table.

"One bottle isn't that bad," Carlotta comments. "I've drowned my sorrows in more than that before."

After clearing away the empty glass and bottle, they fluff the pillows on my couch and sit down. Looks like this is going to turn into an interrogation whether I like it or not.

"Can I wash up first?" I ask, looking from one woman to the other. My teeth have a layer of scum on them and my face feels crusty from all the salty tears I cried.

"Please," Carlotta says, plucking a bottle of electrolyte water from her large handbag. "You need to hydrate, too."

I nod, not knowing what to say, and head into the bathroom. I'm not sure whether I should be annoyed that they're here and prying, or if I think it's the sweetest, most caring thing anyone has ever done.

After putting myself into a semblance of order, I go back out into the living room and sit in the small armchair across from them. After cracking the bottle of water, I take a long swig then look at the women.

"We heard what's going on with Caleb Durant and how he and Vin fought over you the other night," Carlotta says.

"Over me?" I echo and shake my head. "No, they just don't like each other…" My voice trails off weakly. The women arch perfectly-plucked brows.

"They both want you," Carlotta states.

"Caleb does, but Vin doesn't," I immediately state. "He's made it very clear that he doesn't do serious relationships and he can't give me what I want."

The women exchange a look. "Forget about them for a moment, Hannah." Alessia's voice drops as she asks softly, "What do you want?"

"Forever," I whisper, tears filling my eyes. "But, he doesn't want me."

"I don't believe that at all." Carlotta leans forward, dark eyes meeting mine. "My brother cares about you. A lot. More than—well, more than I've ever seen him care before."

I shake my head sadly. "No. Not really. I mean, he has the urge to protect me, but he doesn't want to be with me. Not long term, anyway."

"Hannah, it isn't my place to tell you this, but did Vin ever tell you about Cynda Drake?"

I frown, not recognizing the name. "No."

Carlotta lets out a breath, debating what to say. "She and my brother were engaged a long time ago and it ended badly. She really hurt him and ever since then, he hasn't allowed himself to be emotionally vulnerable with women. At least, not until you."

I knew nothing about Vin being engaged or hurt. My heart instantly aches for him and I wonder what happened exactly.

"You should talk to him about it," Carlotta urges, "because I think his past is what's holding him back now. Because he really cares about you, Hannah."

Hearing her say all this reignites the flicker of hope in my heart. Could it be true? Does Vin really care about me, but he's being wary because his heart was broken before?

"This all hits so close to home," Alessia says. "My older sister Gia was hurt terribly by a man she loved. She'd allowed herself to become numb and only recently met someone who's been helping tear down her walls." The women exchange a grin. "Have you met Leo Amato?"

I shake my head. "No."

"Leo is Miceli's best friend and personal guard," Alessia explains. "He's as loyal as they come and he was shot trying to protect me."

"Oh, my God," I gasp.

"He's fine now," Carlotta adds quickly.

"But he and Gia really hit it off during his recovery. She fussed all over him and now they're inseparable. Which makes me so incredibly happy. It's been a long time since I've seen my sister so full of happiness," Alessia says, smiling from ear to ear.

"Leo looks pretty happy, too," Carlotta adds, and they both chuckle.

"The point of all this, though, is people can come back from being burned by an ex," Alessia states wisely. "All it takes is finding the right one to help them overcome their insecurities and show them that it's okay to take a risk and love again."

"And we think that's you," Carlotta says, giving me a smile.

"Me?" I wish I could agree with them, but my shaky heart just isn't convinced. "As much as I'd like that, I don't think Vin is on the same page. He told me he can't give me forever."

"Of course that's what he told you," Carlotta says, "but what does he know? He's just talking out of fear. You need to go to him, Hannah. Well, only if you love him, of course. Do you? Love my brother?"

My heart flip-flops in my chest at her softly-spoken question. "Yes," I whisper. "So much."

Both women squeal and pop up off the coach. They hurry over and we all hug. It feels good to have their support and tears sting the back of my eyes. A moment later, they're sliding down my face and I'm a mess all over again.

"Why're you crying?" Carlotta asks.

I swipe a hand over my drippy nose. "It's just…" I sniff. "It was always just me and my mom. After she passed away, I've been all alone. At least until Vin. And now…well, you two almost feel like sisters."

"Aww!" They pull me into another big hug.

"I'd love to be your sister," Carlotta says.

"Me, too," Alessia adds.

"I'd like that," I say softly.

"Okay, you love my brother, so go get him. Make his stubborn ass see that you're his perfect person and he doesn't need to be scared because you won't hurt him like Cynda did."

"I'll talk to him," I promise, "and do my best to make him see that I would never betray or hurt him in any way."

We end up talking a little longer and then the women give me another huge hug and finally leave, allowing me to get ready and go see Vin. But, I'm not quite ready yet. With all of their words swirling around in my head, I can't deny that I'm hopeful. But the fear that he will reject me again is still strong and worries me. Tremendously.

After a shower, I get dressed, apply some quick makeup and throw my hair up in a messy bun. I don't want to spend a long time on how I look because this is who I am, take me or leave me.

And, I sincerely hope Vin will take me as I am. Messy, unglamorous and unsophisticated me who will love him fiercely. Fiercely and forever.

When I can't put it off any longer, I grab my phone and purse, then head out. Once I reach the lobby, I'm not expecting to see Caleb striding into my building. Dammit, the lock is still broken on the front door allowing him to waltz right in like he owns the place.

"Hello, sweet Hannah," he says, eyeing me up and down. My skin crawls in response.

"What're you doing here?" I ask, beyond frustrated, immediately noticing the bruises on his face from Vin's well-aimed punches. Inwardly, I smile.

Outwardly, though, I'm pissed. Why won't he leave me alone? Can't he see I'm not interested? What's it going to take to get rid of him once and for all?

"I'm sorry about how the evening went the other night and I'd like to reschedule."

"No," I say in a firm tone. I'm tired of playing this man's games and I won't let him walk all over me and threaten to hurt the Rossi family. Carlotta and Alessia's visit reminds me to be strong and to stand up for myself. I have people in my corner now. I'm not alone any longer and I'm not going to allow this snake to manipulate me any further.

"We have a date to finish," he hisses, those dark eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I never wanted to go out with you. You blackmailed me, but no more. The Rossi family has my back." I stand up straighter, refusing to back down or give in to him. "I'm not afraid of you."

He reaches me quicker than I imagined possible, grabs my arm and twists it hard. I yelp, but he doesn't loosen his vicious hold. "You should be afraid, Hannah," he hisses in my ear, reminding me more than ever of a snake. "You should be very afraid."

I whimper when he squeezes hard then yanks me toward the door. While we're walking out, I try to twist away, but it's impossible. As the door shuts with finality behind me, I swear I get a glimpse of Liza Dixon, hovering in the stairwell, watching.

Or, maybe that was wishful thinking and I just imagined it.

"Why don't you leave me alone? Can't you see I don't want to be with you? I love another man."

Caleb abruptly stops walking and glares daggers at me. "That will change. You're going to be with me now."

"No!" I cry, pulling and fighting. In the scuffle, my phone goes flying out of my hand and hits the pavement hard. Caleb kicks it aside, sending it clattering into the bushes, and I pull harder, trying to wrench free. But he's too strong and I find myself shoved into his blasted BMW again. The locks immediately click and I curse under my breath. Oh, God, how do I always get manhandled into these situations? After Caleb slides into the driver's seat, starting the car, I send him a deadly glare.

"I don't understand why you're fighting to be with a man who doesn't want you, Hannah. Can you explain that to me?"

His words sting and I press my lips together. Maybe that's true. But, I love Vin and after talking to his sister and Alessia, I can't give up on him. On us. At least not before telling him how I feel. Because, yeah, I'm ready to fight for our love.

As we drive away, to God only knows where, Caleb says, "I want access to Vin's computer files and I know you can get me in his system."

Alarm bells start clanging in my head. This is why Caleb is so determined to have me. It's not really me he wants, it's my access to Vin's business information. But why? I wonder. What is he planning?

"Think long and hard before you make a final decision," Caleb warns me.

But I already know that I would never turn on Vin and hand private company information or financials over to his rival. The last thing I'd ever want to do is possibly help destroy his business and hurt his family. He's been betrayed before and I'll have no part of it happening again.

Vin protected me and now I'm going to protect him.

"I don't have any access to his computer or files," I lie. I don't know if he's going to believe me or not because the truth is I have all of Vin's passwords. I'm his executive assistant and I'm privy to every last detail. We work together and he trusts me. And that's exactly why I refuse to tell Caleb anything. Not one single word. I won't break that trust.

"Again, think about it very carefully before making a final decision on where your loyalties lie, my lovely. Because if you give me the wrong answer, there will be consequences. I'm a very powerful man, Hannah, but my patience with you is extremely thin right now. Don't try me."

Swallowing hard, I focus my attention out the window next to me and wonder where we're headed. And how exactly I'm going to escape.