THE DARE | BWWM 18+ (editing)

xlvi - the funeral of leonardo sorelli

I R I S

___________________

He's dead.

Leo's dead.

"What do you mean there's no pulse?" Luciano asks and I can't help but scream. I scream so loud that my head starts to hurt.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to come to save me, then we were supposed to go home together. He was supposed to be alive.

Why did he get taken away from me so early?

Why is this happening to me?

This has to be karma coming back to haunt me because I killed Zane and Amari.

My chest is hurting because I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my body. I feel like a part of me just died, and I'm never going to get it back.

"Sorellina," Xavier whispers and holds me while I just sob. I don't even get a chance to grieve him when I hear someone shift around me. (Translation: little sister)

Martello is running out of a secret exit but before he leaves, he says, "Good luck," and throws a grenade before the door closes.

"We need to leave now!" Luciano yells and he starts to run out with Bella in his arms.

"I'm not leaving him," I sob over Leo's body. I put my head on his chest as I lay beside him and intertwine my fingers in his because this might be the last time that I hold his hand. His men and Dr. Brown are already leaving but Xavier stays with me.

"Iris, we have to go now," he reminds me but I can't hear him. I have just lost the love of my life and now, we have to leave his body behind too?

"No, no, I won't leave him," I cry. "My love, please." I start beating on his chest in the hopes that he'll breathe. "Please don't leave me," I sob even louder. "I love you baby please," I kiss him on the lips and keep trying to get him to breathe for me.

"I'm sorry Iris," Xavier apologizes and grabs me.

"NO!" I cry when Xavier picks me up and runs out of the house with me.

The side of the house blows up as we reach the front door and we both fly in the air and hit the ground. I don't even care about any physical injuries I might have. The pain I'm feeling in my heart right now is enough to kill me.

When I look up, I see the house in flames and I cry even more. Tears flood out of me as easily as I breathe in oxygen.

How am I supposed to live without him?

"He's gone," I cry to Xavier. He grabs my body and holds my head against his chest. It only makes me cry harder because I realize that I will never be able to lay my head against Leo's chest and fall asleep to the sound of his heart beating again. "He's dead. My baby is dead," I continue to cry.

It should've been me.

"It's my fault," I cry. "It's all my fault."

It is all my fault. If Leo didn't have to come to save me, then he wouldn't be dead right now and he would still be able to be with his family and his daughter.

"Oh it's not your fault, Iris," Xavier tries to reassure me. "Leo loved you and I know that he would give his life for you again in a heartbeat if it means that you're safe."

Not helping.

"No, no. I can't. I can't. I can't," I cry out and Luciano comes over.

This entire time, I'm still on the floor of Martello's property because I can't move. "I can't breathe," I say through staggered breaths.