His [Book #1]

Chapter 26

"What about him?"

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We spent the whole day at the park. I was having so much fun that I almost forgot I was currently on the run from my psychotic baby daddy.

Watching Dimitri go down the slide with Mateo brought a smile to my face. Although I knew we weren't a family, seeing them together made me feel like we were.

And a normal one at that. There weren't any armed men dressed in black. I didn't have to look over my shoulder every few minutes in fear of my life. And I especially wasn't being held hostage. 

I had freedom.

Praising Mateo for reaching the end of the kid's slide successfully, he picked him up and swung him around in the air. Mateo giggled, his wholesome baby laugh warming my heart.

Dimitri walked up to me and leaned in to kiss my cheek. Placing Mateo back in my arms, he happened to look over my shoulder. He frowned. "Give me a minute, okay?"

"Sure," I replied in confusion, turning my head to see him walk over to a short, dark haired man with a pot belly.

With Mateo on my hip, I watched from a distance as the two men began to converse. Dimitri didn't look too happy to see him. He actually looked pretty angry. While the man in the expensive looking black suit didn't seem too bothered, his composure eerily calm.

I didn't know why the man looked familiar as I've never seen him before in my life. The only thing I was sure of was that he was Italian. I could spot an Italian a mile away.

The man's eyes drift over to me and my body stiffens. A chill runs down my spine, my heart drumming loudly in my tightened chest.

Amber eyes.

It couldn't be.

There's no way.

My eyes quickly skim over his compact frame. I tighten my hold on Mateo when I come to the conclusion that it is him. There was just no mistaking the similarities. He looked just like Tristan. Or rather, Tristan looked just like him. 

Agostino Lucci? 

How the hell does Dimitri know him?

Does that mean he's known who I am this whole time?

No, he couldn't have known. Agostino doesn't even know about me. Unless Agostino somehow found out about me and told him.

Questions on top of questions flood my brain, my mind racing.

Why didn't Dimitri say anything?

Could him and Agostino be working together?

Remembering all the times Tristan warned me about his father, and how cautious he seemed of him, I slowly took a step backwards.

That unwelcome feeling in my gut has returned. This whole time I thought this gut feeling had been because Tristan was planning something sinister. But it turns out, that feeling in my stomach is because of his father.

Run! The inner voice in my head screams at me. Run and never look back!

As soon as Dimitri turns his head to look at me, I take off in a sprint. I don't know where I'm running. Dimitri has the keys to his car, so it's not like I can just hijack his car and leave. And I don't have a phone, so I'm stuck running until my legs give out.

Tristan, where are you?

I suddenly need him, the fear of Agostino Lucci far greater than my fear of his son. I don't bother waiting for the walk sign to appear as I cross the street. Angry drivers honk at me, but I don't pay them any mind.

Shuffling through the crowd of people walking along the sidewalk, I don't waste my time trying to catch a cab either.

Hearing the faint sound of Dimitri calling my name causes me to run faster. My calves burn, my chest tight as I push myself to create enough distance where I can no longer hear the sound of Dimitri's voice.

As I look back to see if Dimitri or Agostino is nearby, someone grabs my waist and pulls me into an alley. Screaming, a hand folds over my mouth and pulls me into their hard body.

"Da-Da!" Mateo giggles excitedly.

I stopped fighting, looking up to see Tristan staring down at me. The hair on his face has grown and there's bags under his eyes like he hasn't gotten any sleep for days.

Despite his rugged appearance, he still looks just as handsome as he did the day I shot him.

Relaxing in his arms, he slowly moves his hand away from my mouth. "Tristan," I whisper, starting to cry once the adrenaline wears off.

"I'm right here, baby," he murmurs, hugging me and Mateo close while kissing the top of my head.

I didn't think I could ever be this happy to see someone who kidnapped me several times. It's Ironic really. The same person I ran away from was the same person I ran into. 

A part of me is relieved I wasn't successful in killing him. While the other part of me is cursing myself for ending up right back where I started.

"I saw your father," I say with a pant, trying to catch my breath.

"I know. My men have been keeping a close eye on you and Mateo." 

Of course they have. Why am I not surprised?

"Does that mean you are here to take us back?"

I'm expecting him to reiterate how I'm his and drag me back to prison. But instead he says, "no. My dad knows about you and Mateo, which means you are no longer safe at my place. So if you let me, I can take you and Mateo to one of my safe houses."

Let me?

"It's my choice?" I question in surprise.

"Sì, a tua scelta(Yes, your choice)."

"So you're not going to hold me hostage there?"

He shook his head. "No. You and Mateo will be heavily guarded, but you are not obligated to stay. As long as I know the both of you are safe, you can still go to work and do as you please."

Damn, I need to shoot his ass more often.

After giving it careful thought, I give my head a nod. "Okay, let's go."

I may end up really regretting this, but I'm choosing to take him at his word. Because anything is better than meeting the man who created him.