~Won't you stay a bit longer? I want to breath a little more.

Salvatore's POV.

My mind flashed back to my words all those years ago as I looked at her in astonishment, 'And you! His little princess was fed and clothed and treasured by that money. You f**king b**ch! If you had any humanity left in you. You would kill yourself this instance rather than HELPING HIM!' No. This was not the reaction of someone treasured. No it was not! Not in the least!

Oh God please don't prove myself to be more wrong than I thought I was. Please. I prayed but I already knew deep down, that I had been wrong about her in more ways than one, all along. I was experienced enough as a doctor to know a panic attack when I see one. She was having the same reaction that night. When I released something on her unconsciously, something even I was afraid of. I knew something was up, but looking at it this closed up, made me realize it was from before I had wronged her. Abramov that son of a b**ch!

In this war... that I'm fighting, you're always a strand away from being who you're fighting against. A breath away from being who you hate. That night was of vulnerability for me. I became no different than them. Ava was just a victim, of me that night. And of her father before that. I've misjudged her, in more ways than one, from the very beginning.

"I... I didnt do it... I..." She choked out gasping for air. Breath! She needs to breath!

"Ava! Listen to me. Look at me! Look here." In no time I was out of my own shoes and had my hands in front of myself. Showing her that I was not a threat. "Here it's alright. It's okay, you're okay, dove. No one is mad at you. No one will harm you." She looked at my bare feet on the floor just like hers. And then she slowly gazed up in my eyes, through her tear filled eyes, as they were spilling quietly from the corner of each small innocent eyes of hers. They seemed as though they were trying to escape something, just as she was.

Seeing her eyes broke something in me. Like I was looking for something all my life and finally found it, yet broken. And I was a part of her being broken, torn apart. I knew I was wrong about her that night but she was not who I thought she was at all. She was not spoiled, but she deserved to be. She deserved everything yet she got nothing. I wanted to declare war against the entire world, for something had hurt her this much.

"Breath for me Ava. Please?" I took a cautious step closer and she stepped back yet her breaths became uniform slowly but surely. I had a longer way to reach her than I thought. I did not just want to make her forgive me. I wanted something much more, I needed something much more. Even though I was the last person to deserve it. Her smile, her affections. I needed those things, desperately. A feeling I was coming around slowly. A feeling of belonging with someone after all. I felt some kind of peace at finding the one at last.

It felt as though there was a war all around me, gun powder, smoke, blood and screams and tears. Suddenly every sound was quitened down and a dove flew over me suddenly.. gracefully. A sign of peace, at last. I looked up and closed my eyes slowly, releasing a deep breath. A breath I didn't realize I was holding, for decades. Since the war started.

"Ava..." I said as I stretched a hand towards her. Desperate to me anywhere near her. Anything she could give me. I sighed at the revelation of my own feelings. God please don't tell me it's too late. I need her. "Go." She said in a light yet somehow stern voice as she ignored my hand completely. Only she could pull this off. "Alright. I'm leaving.. but know that Xavier was here to detect the device. It was here before you came. Nobody is blaming you.." My eyes softened if possible as I continued.

"And never will until I had the very last of my breaths remaining in my lungs." I bent down and wore my shoes back again and I reached out again, attempting to take hold of her small feet to help her put her heels back on, but she said abruptly, "Don't." I sighed and nodded as I stood up. "I hope we will meet again. Soon." She said nothing, wasnt even looking at me. I nodded to myself and turned around, walked towards the door. Every step felt like I was walking away from water in a desert.

***

Avalyn's POV.

I walked inside my home and knew Maria and Avery would be waiting for me. The case of Salvatore Agosti was going smoothly, they did not have enough evidence and no witnesses at all. At this rate the case would not last long enough. Maria was on her school trip for last few days. I was restless without her, nervous that she was okay or not. "Mom!" The 8 years old Maria ran in my arms.

I sighed with my eyes closed. The peace I get when I have her protected in my arms in incomparable. I could do anything for this child, anything. That's why I needed to keep her and myself away from Salvatore Agosti. I once lost everything when I gave myself to him. But if I trust him this time, it will not be only myself I would put in danger. He was a violent man. I could never trust his like I once did.

"Did you have fun? Avery told me she would make your favourite beef burger today." I looked back and Avery gave a slight nod and a strained smile to Maria. Avery still didn't know how to smile but something was bothering her. She always kept to herself, which broke my heart sometimes. "I had so much fun mom! There were elephants and dolphins too!" We had dinner while Maria kept on and on about her school trip and we enjoyed listening to every single part of it.

"Please tell me when something is bothering you. It makes me feel worthless when you don't. Like I don't deserve to know anything." I said quietly. As I sipped on my coffee sitting on my couch comfortably with my legs under my body. I had put Maria to sleep a while ago. She looked at me with nervousness in her eyes only I can see. She looked as though she was trying to make a decision in her mind, if she should tell me or not.

She finally sighed and sat down beside me. "He is back again, Ava. And I might not be able to protect you this time." I knew that instance that she was not talking about Salvatore. And who she was talking about made a shiver rise up my spine. No! He can not! Maria was in danger. Avery was in danger. I had to do something about it. I could never trust my father with Maria.

Only one person can help me in this situation. Only someone as violent as the monster after us. But I didn't trust him either. I could never. "Let's go somewhere Avery. Nothing is more important than the three of us." She looked ahead of herself but not looking at all. Deep in her thoughts. And suddenly the quite of the nigh was broken as the glass shattered around us. We both jumped out of the couch. Avery took a gun out of somewhere in the kitchen. I didn't even know it was there.

"Take Maria and run. Quick!" She almost shouted at me before running towards the danger. "No! Avery!" I could not leave her but Maria was alone. Please be safe Avery! Please! I ran upstairs, barefoot. I hugged Maria out of her bed and ran out of the house. Gun shots were heard and I forced myself not to cry. Maria was sobbing in my arms and my heart was banging out of my chest. My ears were ringing. Oh God please help us! Anyone please save us! Save Avery.

I ran without knowing where to, just away. Somewhere Maria could be safe. Then I needed to go back to Avery she was alone. My shoulder bumped into something very hard and it pained. But I steadied myself and without looking anywhere started running again but was stopped by a hand holding my arm firmly. "Ava!" I looked up and saw those stormy grey eyes, like a sky after it has poured its sorrow down on Earth.

"What's wrong?" He demanded almost in panic after seeing me in this state. His eyes shifted and were filled with shock the moment they fell on the child cradled in my arms. "Please! Save Avery! She's in danger!" I cried out pointing in the direction of my house. He looked ahead and pulled out a pistol from his back pocket. He started running towards the house, immediately after a shot was heard. "Take them home! And call for back up!" He shouted over his shoulder. And disapeard.

I got out of the car shaking with Maria crying in my arms. "It's okay, baby. Shhh.. everything is okay now." I held her to my chest and stepped barefoot into the same house I left barefoot, 3 years ago. Panic was still holding my neck in it's clutches. But an hour went by and another and another. No news came by.

I had put Maria to sleep after she calmed down and drank some hot chocolate. I was pacing right by the front door of his house when he came back. I ran towards his car in hope of seeing Avery but she was not there. "Avery! Where is Avery? Where did you leave her? Why is she not here?" I was banging his chest, almost out of my mind, when he winced and held my wrist I went silent.

"She's fine. Please come inside. You'll catch a cold." I looked up at him then, clearly for the first time that night and noticed his suited shoulder bleeding with a deep cut. "You're hurt!" He gave me a weak smile at that. "Oh you noticed." He said in dry humour. Why was he sad? Did something happen?

We walked inside and he was treated there. He needed stitches. While getting stitches he looked in front of him, deep in thoughts. He looked in pain but somehow the pain in his eyes did not look as though it came from a physical injury. He looked almost haunted. Like he discovered something that pained him. "Can we talk?" He whispered, not looking at me. Like he was avoiding my eyes.

I nodded and followed him to his room. It was big and too cold, missing any warmth. He respectfully gestured towards his bed for me to sit but I shook my head and sat on one of the single seater sofas in front of a large floor to ceiling window. I was so engrossed in my thoughts of Avery and tension for her safety that I didn't realize Salvatore getting on his knees beside me as he put his cheek on my thigh.

I flinched at the contact but froze otherwise. To confused and shocked at the situation. I looked down at his with wide eyes. His face was up slightly, towards me and his eyes were looking at mine. Then I realized what was happening. His eyes were wet and I could feel my leg getting wet through fabric too. He was crying. Why? Was Avery not okay after all? I opened my mouth and almost asked him but he said something before me. I could not believe what I heard.

"You loved me." He choked out, and more tears spilled out of his grey eyes. How could a man as big and powerful as Salvatore Agosti shed tears? While on his knees? In front of a woman!?

"Avery. Where is she?" I turned away from him. My eyes became empty suddenly. It was too late. So many years have passed. I didn't even remember the feeling I got when I looked at Salvatore for the first time. I lied to myself.

"I ruined everything before it even started." He whispered and turned his head so his forehead was now touching my thigh, instead of his cheek. "I was on the doorsteps of heaven, yet I turned back and left." Oh how his words hurt me so. Makes me remember what is best forgotten.

With his forehead still on my thigh and tears still streaming and damping my clothes he choked out. "Please forgive me. I beg you." I looked out of the window. The greenery and the damp forest around made me remember how I loved this place once. A long long time ago.

"I see Avery is alright and has been talking unnecessarily." I saw the sky changing its color. It was almost dawn now. Some people die and others are born. People celebrate for some, mourn for some, yet dusk always came every day. It did not stop or change or even delay a second for anyone. That's how life is.. should we considered it a blessing or a curse? That it never changes for anyone. It doesn't change for those kids in agony. It didn't change for me or him or any of us.

"Would you have ever told me? If she didn't?" I asked as he pulled his head up and wiped his face. Holding it in his palms. "Why would I?" I tried standing up but he gently placed his palm on my knee, to stop me. I jerked my knee aside and he pulled his hand away. Yet I decided to stay seated. "I wish we have met differently. I wish we have met centuries ago. Where you would not hate me and I had not hurt you so." A sad smile masked my face before I could stop.

I stood up and he let me do so this time. I crossed the room and stood infront of the door. He was still sitting on his knees as I twisted the door handle and stated calmly. "I feel ashamed. Please never talk about it again." I was ashamed of myself. Ashamed that I ever loved him and now that he knew I did, it was embarrassing.

And I knew I have to talk to him before I left the house few hours later. Before I went missing from this world with Maria and Avery, to protect us. I had to talk about the fact that I could not be his attorney and defend him anymore, but I didn't not had the strength. I would leave in few hours without telling anyone and be gone from here, forever.

_________________________

When Salvatore puts his head on Ava's lap and wept.

Me:



Note:

I hope you guys are enjoying my story so far. My university is starting soon. But I will keep updating and not leave this story till the end. Peace♡