Chapter 110: I won't take her from him

Flame POV

"Now Uncle Freddie is making dinner and Aunt Sofia is making dessert. So my gorgeous Fiammetta go make yourself presentable for dinner" I look down at my clothes. I forgot I was training when I came over.  I still have on my gym shorts and a tank top.

"Denalii please go get your things together and send me Giovanni to go over your travel plans for tonight"

"Dinner should be ready shortly listen for the announcement don't keep us waiting you know how Aunt Sophie doesn't like when you dawdle"

"Yes papa"

"Yes Father"

We both look at each other as we head out.

"He just worries about you" Nalii says squeezing my arm.

"No he just seees me as a broken little girl still and he'll never see as anything more" I say angrily.

"Sis you know he loves you" Denalii says in his comforting voice taking my hand.

"That I do know, I just wish he could see me as something more. Something special" I say sadly, he kisses my head.

"Can we talk while I pack?" He asks as we walk the stairs to our rooms.

"Of course, is this about whatever has had you in a mood since yesterday?" I ask.

He gives me a sad smile and nods his head.

We head up stairs to his room. I hate to see him looking so sad.

He grabs his duffel bag and starts rummaging through his things.

"What's wrong little brother?" I ask.

"What I say here can never be repeated to anyone! That includes your boyfriend" he says in a serious voice.

I turn my head quickly to him in shock how does he know about Ryder?

He notices the shocked look on my face and laughs softy "What did you think I wouldn't figure it out Fiammetta? Really?" He says laughing louder.

"How long?" I ask.

"A long while. Dad doesn't know. Don't worry sis" he says laughing at my shocked face.

I'm seriously shocked. He knows! How the hell does he know, he's been away for 18 months.

"He seems like a good guy for what it's worth. He's a great boxer for being in a wheelchair but most importantly he makes you happy. That alone gives him my respect. Tell him if that changes I know where he lives" he say in a more serious voice.

I smack him and hug him so tightly he gasps and taps my arm.

"I love you Denalii. Please be safe out there" I hug him again and kiss his cheek.

He takes my hand and we sit on the bed.

He looks so sad and I see something In his eyes I haven't seen for a long time, tears.

He looks at me and waits. Like he's trying to find the right words.

I know what he needs to hear, "I promise, I won't repeat anything to anyone cross my heart" I do the little cross across my heart. It's what I would make him do when we were younger.

"Do you remember the girl from when I was 16? My little Amorina who got hurt?" He says a tear rolling down his face.

"Yes of course, I still say a prayer for her every week at church" I tell him.

He swallows hard and nods his head "Thank you for that" he wipes his eyes.

"What's wrong Denalii? I don't like seeing you like this" I say squeezing his hand.

He takes my hand "I seen her last night" he takes a deep breath.

I gasp "What? Oh my god I'm so happy for you!" I say excitingly. He's wanted this for so long.

His head drops and he looks sadder then before.

He stays quiet for a minute.

"I don't understand, why aren't you happy?" I ask him confused.

"She don't remember me"

"What! Did you tell her? You've wanted it to happen for so long. You have always said you won't chase her down but if she comes back in your life it's meant to be"

He shakes his head. "I can't do that to her. It's complicated, she's with someone and she's in love"

"So!! You're Denalii Nunzio, take back what's yours. You love her, so tell her who you are"

He puts his face in his hands and shakes his head.

"I would never do that to her or to him" he says sadly.

I'm confused.

"What, you know the guy she's in love with?"

He nods his head.

"Okay that makes it more complicated but she has the right to know who you are, you have the right to tell her who you are. I'll help you"

"No Fiammetta!" He stands up, I can see his hand shaking. "You can't. I can't!"

"Why? Why can't you be happy for once?"

"It will hurt her! I won't take her from him. I won't hurt him. He's the only person who sees me as something more than the goddamn Prince! He's my best friend"

I cover my mouth "It's River?!" I say in shock.

He looks up at with tears in his eyes.

I hurry and grab him and pull him tightly to me.

I haven't seen him like this since she was in the hospital. It all makes since now.

"Ohh Nalii. She's my friend. You need to tell her, you need to tell Finley"

He shakes his head "Why would I do that? I can't give her what he can, I can't love her like him. He's going to marry her when we get back. He told me last night before I ran into her.  She told me how much she loves him. You should have seen the way her eyes lit up when she talked about him, I've never seen her that happy. I'm sorry for this, I had to tell someone. I just can't keep this in anymore, it's killing me"

He drops to the bed and covers his face with his hands.

First Ryder now him. How am I supposed to be friends with someone I have to keep so many secrets from.