17. Piper

17

PIPER

T he truth hits me like a freight train, shattering everything I thought I knew. Elio never abandoned us. He wasn't part of the plan to pay me off to disappear and raise our child alone. The pain and anger that have fueled me for the past eight years evaporate, replaced by a whirlwind of confusion and regret.

Even lying in his arms after making love, guilt twists in my gut as I remember the venom I spewed at him. I was so quick to believe the worst of him. But looking into his eyes now, I see the same shock and heartbreak that I feel. We were both victims, manipulated by forces beyond our control.

"I'm sorry. I should have trusted you. I should have known you would never abandon us."

Elio holds me tighter, kissing my temple. "We're here now."

I melt against him, finally letting myself feel the love and connection that've always been there. We cling to each other, both of us reeling from the weight of this revelation. There's so much to process, so much lost time to mourn. But for now, all that matters is that we're together.

"How much time do you need to pack up your and Elysse's things?"

I tilt my head up to look at him. "What?"

"You'll move in with me tomorrow."

I pull back, a flicker of irritation sparking within me. At first, I'm not sure why. But then it hits me. He's telling me what's going to happen. Not asking. Not conferring. Elio is a powerful man. A man who lives in the shadows. All of a sudden, I wonder if he's all that different from Gabriel. Not that Elio would hurt me physically. But I can see him as a man who sets the rules and expects everyone to follow.

"You just decided that?"

His brow furrows in confusion.

"You can't just make decisions for me like that."

He continues to stare at me like I'm crazy. "What do you mean? You're not seriously considering staying with your husband, are you?"

His words hit a nerve, and I feel my defenses rising. "That's not the point," I snap, moving out of his embrace. "I've been bossed around and told what to do since the moment our parents made me leave all those years ago. I had no say in the matter then, and I can't let anyone else make my choices for me now."

Elio's frustration is evident in the set of his jaw. "I'm not telling you what to do. I just assumed that you'd want to be with me over that fucker you married. Am I wrong? What is this, Piper? If you think this is a little affair, you're wrong." He cocks his head. "You really want to stay here? To have your daughter exposed?—"

"No. But I can't be a doormat anymore. I need to make my own choices, to regain control of my life. I'm not a damsel to be saved, Elio. At least, I don't want to be. I want to save myself."

He runs a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to understand. "If that's the case, why are you still here? Why have you stayed with a man who hurts you, who terrorizes our daughter? If you could leave, surely, you would have already."

He's not wrong. But I realize now that Gabriel's power over me came on slowly, like that story about the frog in warm water that slowly heats to a boil. The change is subtle, so it's not noticed until it's too late.

When I don't have a response, Elio's frustration mounts. He gets out of bed, pacing the room like a caged animal. "What's your plan, Piper? What decisions have you made to leave your husband, eh?" His tone more than his words cut me deeply, striking at the heart of my helplessness and fear.

I've been trapped in this nightmare for so long, I've almost forgotten what it feels like to have control over my own life. But I refuse to let him see how much his question unsettles me.

"You think I haven't tried?" I think about the threats Gabriel made against Elysse when I told him I was leaving. The sheer terror I felt as his dark, deadly eyes bore down on me while he outlined what would happen. The memory makes me wonder why I'm arguing with Elio about this. Elio solves all my problems. A place to stay. Protection. But would I be going from one domineering man to another? By letting Elio save me, am I once again giving up my personal power?

"I can protect you, Piper."

I nod. "From Gabriel, yes, but your own world isn't so safe. You have enemies. The constant threat of incarceration. The Mafia, the violence, the constant risk… Is that really any better for Elysse?"

His eyes flash with indignation, and I can see his temper rising. "I would never let anything happen to either of you," he growls, his fists clenching at his sides. "I'd protect you both with my life."

I believe him. It's another part of him that is different from Gabriel. Gabriel will protect what's his, but not out of love or devotion, and surely, not with his life.

"Why did he give you that bruise?" Elio demands.

I press my hand to my cheek. "What? Why?"

"Why?" he barks out.

"It was an accident. I burned dinner."

"Jesus fuck, Piper. That's not an accident. That's abuse. You really want to stay here?"

"No. But I need to find myself again. I need to make my own decisions."

"Back to that. Fine. What choices do you have? Call the cops and get a restraining order? How long will that take? And will a piece of paper really protect you?"

He's being patronizing, even if he's speaking the truth. A court order wouldn't deter Gabriel. Not forever.

"Do you have money? A job? I know you don't have a car. Who pays your phone bill? Your husband, I bet, will use it to find you or cut it off."

Helplessness overwhelms me. I sink to the edge of the bed.

"There are shelters, I suppose. So, Piper, what choice are you going to make?" He stands in front of me, his eyes blazing with frustration and maybe hurt. "I'm not going to stand by and watch you and Elysse suffer. If you won't leave him, then I'll do whatever it takes to get you both out of there. I won't let my daughter live in a home where she's in danger."

His threat rips through me. The thought of losing Elysse, of having her taken away from me, is more terrifying than any abuse Gabriel could inflict. But I know Elio is right. I can't keep putting my daughter at risk, no matter how scared I am of the alternative. Even if it means handing over control to Elio.

Tears fall. "I feel so powerless, like I'm just a pawn in everyone else's game."

Elio's expression softens, and he takes a step closer, reaching out to cup my face in his hands. "You're not powerless. You have choices. You can go to a shelter or call the cops. But you could also choose to come with me. Why aren't I a choice you can make?"

His words send a shiver down my spine, and I feel a flicker of hope ignite within me.

"I'm more invested than anyone in keeping you and Elysse safe and happy. I can protect you. I can give you the life you deserve, the life we were meant to have together. There was a time when you wanted that."

I search his eyes, looking for any hint of deception or ulterior motive. But all I see is sincerity, a fierce determination to make things right. And in that moment, I realize that this is what I've been waiting for all along. A chance to take control of my own life, to choose the path that leads to happiness and love.

I nod. "Okay."

"Okay what?"

"I choose you."

He sits on the bed next to me. "Are you giving in? Giving up?"

I shake my head, even though a part of me feels like I am. Yes, I'm choosing Elio, but it's the choice that offers the best outcome for Elysse.

He puts an arm around me. "I don't want to take away your power. Quite the opposite, actually. It guts me to see the strong, assertive woman I love beaten down, literally and figuratively. I'd like to return the favor to your husband."

My gaze jerks to his. "You can't kill him, Elio."

He arches a brow. "I didn't say I would. I'd rather him live in fear like he's made you live in fear."

I can't deny there's a petty part of me that would enjoy that. "I just want to be free of him."

"Then you will be. And if you're not ready for us… my house is large. You and Elysse can have your own suite of rooms."

I can hear in his voice that it's not what he wants. But I appreciate the offer. He's giving me choices.

"Thank you."

He leans in and kisses me. "So… when would you like to move?"

I smile at how he's rephrased the statement to include my input. "Tomorrow. Elysse and I can be packed with our bare necessities by lunchtime."

"Thank fuck." His smile is wide, like he'd just won the lottery. Then he pushes me back on the bed. "Speaking of fuck…" He rises over me, sinks into me, and I give myself over to him, to my decision to be with him.