Traded In

Chapter 34

Her eyes lingered on my face before she looked past me, I could see she was afraid, her fear was palpable.She swiftly ran her hands over her dump cheek and brushed right past me and went and knelt right before the little girl standing at the entrance with some woman.I hid my gun, cautiously....... focusing on their interaction.

"Mummy, are you crying?" Her voice was soft and low. Leilani took her in her arms, "No, I'm not crying."The little girl looked over Leilani's shoulder at me. I examined her, her use of the word 'mummy' struck me.She took her focus back to her mother, "who is he mummy?" she asked sneaking frequent glances at me. Leilani was silent, she rose to her feet, "Take her inside and get her ready for bed, I'll be there in a minute." she said, calmly.The woman nodded carrying the kid, she protested a little before giving in and waved at me with a smile as they left.

She sighed still turned away from me. "I think you should leave Christoph." We stood in silence for a moment, as I took time to process everything." Dante said you were hiding something. Is she what he was talking about?"

"She's not yours!" she asserted as if I'd just claimed right over her.

I moved closer bridging the gap between us, "If you say it like that then I know she's mine." We locked gazes, I could feel her heart racing and her body shuddering against mine. I brought my lips to her ear, "Breathe Leilani........I won't hurt anyone." I pulled back, and she breathed, deep breathes as if I'd stolen her breath. I took a few steps back, "For now." I added and left.

LEILANI'S POV

I put Allegra to sleep, nobody but me could put her to sleep, she wouldn't fall asleep unless I was right by her side. 'For now,' His words scared me, Allegra wouldn't be able to survive without me and who knows what he could do. My worst fear is him killing me, I didn't have a problem with that before but now...... I'm not only living for myself, I birthed someone and I'm responsible for them.....I'm responsible for her. What scares me the most is if he'll try to kill Allegra too....I can't let that happen.

"Who was he?" Fabiola sat right next to me handing me a piping hot cup of coffee. I took it, "I'm sorry but I can't drink this.... I'm exhausted and I really__"It's okay, just put it down." She took it from me and put it away. "Abuela told me you were out in the garage getting her knitting kit, I'm sorry I didn't know you were with someone.""Thats 'cause I wasn't." I placed my face in the palms of my hands, "I don't even know how he got here or how he found me, now everything is ruined." I let out in frustration holding back my tears."Is he.... Allegra's father?" she faltered. I nodded, letting out a sigh. "I'm sorry Fabiola, but I can't talk about this now. I don't want to, and I'm just tired.""It's okay...... but if you need someone to talk to, I'm a call away." She smiled, and I couldn't help but hug her. Just having her around would lift my spirits but now I need to be alone. I need to think.

The sun was setting and I was back in my own apartment.I left.It was the best thing I could do, even though Fabiola and her grandmother didn't want me to. I hated leaving the only people that truly supported me. ... I couldn't say much.

I still held lease over this place and could return.... it was affordable and safe given how many people lived here.... Christoph couldn't possibly hurt us there..... hopefully.Plus, he doesn't know about this place. The only reason he found me is all because of Dante....I feel so stupid for trusting that man... I feel even more stupid for falling for a man that wanted to kill me upon our first encounter."Could I be any more stupid?' I asked myself.

A knock sounded at my door causing me to pause, I looked down at Allegra who happy played with her toys, "Maaaaamaaaaaa!" She yelled cheerfully. It had only been about twelve hours since we left Fabiola's earlier today, and she seems to have adjusted pretty quickly.

"I'll be right back.... Okay?" I talked to myself as she was completely focused on 'feeding' her favorite stuffed animal.I opened the door and my eyes landed on a navy-blue suit jacket. I didn't have to look up to see who it was.I didn't have to. I didn't want to.

I dared to look up at him, a glare so intense, I needn't speak. He looked down at me, a soft smirk on his face as he leaned in, "I thought you'd be happier to see me." He whispered."What do you want Christoph?" He narrowed his eyes, fixed on me.....silence...."My daughter."