Sun rays hit the curtains Sharp, Hurting my eyes. Had to blinked a few times, Lips still felt puffy from last night.
The kiss kept looping in my head, his tongue, the tug on my hair, then nothing.
He stopped like it was easy for him. Bastard.
Bed felt too big, his side cold, But I remembered him sliding in late, his heavy arm across my waist.
No words, Just breathing against my neck. Held me like I might disappear if he let's go. Weird but Comforting.
Made me mad at myself for liking it.
Got up slow, Nightgown stuck to my thighs, Room smelled like him, cologne mixed with whatever soap he used.
My Stomach twisted. Wasn't sure if i was hungry or sick.
Door quietly opened . He walked in, with no shirt, just his Sweatpants hanging low, Hair wet, Water running down his chest. Scars everywhere, long slash across ribs, round mark near his shoulder, Bullet? Knife?
Didn't ask. Didn't even want to know yet.
"Morning," he said. Voice scratchy.
I yanked the sheet up. "You came in here while I was asleep."
"You were shaking." He shrugged. Walked to the dresser, Grabbed a shirt. Muscles moving under skin.
I looked at the wall. My Cheeks burning due to embarrassment
"Didn't ask you to stay."
"Didn't ask me to leave either." with Shirt on. He turned, his Eyes on me. "You slept better with me there."
I Couldn't even deny it. Hated that.
He came over, sat at the edge of the bed. Knee bumped my leg through the sheet. Heat shot up, aghhh, Stupid body.
"Breakfast downstairs, ten minutes."
"Not hungry."
Eyes dropped to my mouth, stayed. "You will be."
Stood up and left .
I sat there breathing funny, got up. Found a black robe, soft, probably his.
Wrapped it tight. Went down.
Kitchen smelled like coffee and eggs. He stood at the stove. Back to me. Flipping food. Looked normal. Almost domestic, which made it worse.
Sat at the island. Watched.
Plate slid in front of me. Eggs, Toast, Some fruit and Black coffee.
"Eat."
Picked at toast, Crumbs on fingers. "Who was on the phone last night?"
He paused. Fork down. "Business."
"The kind where people disappear?"
Eyes met mine. No flinch. "Yeah."
Swallowed. Toast stuck. "You kill people?"
"When needed."
Quiet. Heavy.
"Why tell me that?"
He leaned over the counter. Face close.
"Because you're mine. I don't lie to what's mine."
Hand reached. Thumb wiped crumb off my lip, Slowly. Eyes on my mouth, My breath hitched.
"You scared?" he asked.
"Yeah. A little."
"Good." Thumb stayed. Pressed. "Means you're listening."
Stood,Walked around. Behind me. Hands on shoulders. Squeezed light. Leaned down. Mouth near my ear.
"Finish. Then rules."
Turned my head. Faces close. "What rules?"
His hand to my neck, Thumb under jaw. Tilted me up.
"you Don't leave without me. No talking to your family unless I say. Anyone contacts you, tell me."
Swallowed. His fingers warm. "If I don't?"
Eyes turned darker. "I remind you who owns you."
Kissed me. Quick. Rough. Claimed. Then Pulled back fast.
"Eat," he said. Voice rougher.
Walked away.
My Phone buzzed, Sophia.
He came back. Saw it. Picked up. Read.
Face hard.
"She texting?"
Nodded.
He swiped. Read more. Jaw tightened.
"Delete."
"It's my sister." reached for my phone.
Held it higher "Not anymore."
Crushed it till the Glass snapped. Pieces of what it was dropped.
My Stomach dropped with them.
He Set broken bits down and Gently Took my hand, Pulled me up, Close.
"Look at me."
I Did. His eyes softer, Barely.
"I protect what's mine. Even from them."
Thumb brushed my cheek, Wet, Tears maybe
I Didn't know when i started crying.
Pulled me in, Arms tight, Chest hard.
Smelled like soap and him.
"Eat," he said into my hair. "Then we go out You need clothes."
Nodded against him. Couldn't talk.
The guy who smashed my phone.
The guy holding me like I'd break.
And me, stupid me, didn't push him away.
I stayed there learning on his chest longer than I was meant to.
His heartbeat was steady under my ear, slow and strong, like nothing could touch him.
While Mine was racing, tripping over itself. The robe slipped a little off one shoulder. I didn't bother fixing it.
I Didn't move. Just breathed in the smell of his soap and him , trying not to think too hard.
His arms were tight but not crushing. Felt like he was holding something fragile that might break if he let go.
I hated how safe it felt.
I hated how much I didn't want to pull away.
nothing about this was right.
I pulled back a little, Looked up at him.
His eyes were aleeady on me ,Soft, like he was trying to figure something out.
"What?" I asked in a Voice small.
He didn't answer right away, he Just brushed another tear off my cheek with his thumb. Slowly and Carefully
"You cry quietly," he said.
I swallowed. "Didn't want you to hear."
"I heard anyway."
He let go of me then. Stepped back to me space. But his eyes stayed on me
"Finish the coffee," he said. "We leave in twenty."
He walked to the sink and Rinsed his plate.
I sat down back and Picked up the mug.
My Hands shook a little. Took a sip that happened to Burn my tongue.
I watched him move around the kitchen in a Normal and Calm way.
Like he hadn't just ordered someone dead last night or didn't just smashed my phone.
Like he hadn't just held me while I cried.
I thought the text Sophia sent me.
Whatever she wanted to say, lie about, plan or apologise for was gone now.
Shattered on the floor.
I looked at the broken pieces that were still on the counter. Alessandro hadn't cleaned them up yet.
He left them there like a warning.
I felt something twist in my chest. Not fear or anger
But tiredness
I was tired of always being the secret, the price tag, or something the could give away easily
But I wasn't tired of him, at least not yet.
And that somehow scared me more than anything..
I set the mug down and Stood up.
He turned and Saw me.
"Ready?" he asked.
I nodded.
He walked over, Took my hand.
Led me to the elevator.
And I didn't know if I was getting comfortable in this cage… or something else.