I park within the underground storage and take the elevator up. I hold her shut, one arm wrapped rigorously round her. She leans into me, accepting the consolation I supply. Her presence fills the small house, a mixture of vanilla and anxiousness—a scent that can linger in my reminiscence far longer than I care to confess.

Her gaze sparkles to mine when she sees the locks on my door. I do not clarify. There’s nothing I might say that she’d perceive. My world and hers are universes aside—exactly as they need to be. And but, she’s right here anyway.

The door to my condominium lastly swings open with a click on. I usher her inside earlier than turning to lock it again down. She drifts deeper into the condominium.

I’ve spent most of my time residing on-site on the Valentino compound since I used to be nineteen. I do not come residence typically, so there’s little right here—a white leather-based couch and matching armchair, a glass espresso desk, a bookshelf stuffed with books I by no means have time to learn.

For as soon as, the place does not really feel empty. Not with Karina right here.

“Make your self comfy, cara.” I shrug off my swimsuit jacket and toss it over the again of the chair.

She hovers by the brink, consuming within the sterile neatness. I see the wheels delivering her head as she processes her environment.

“Will I be secure right here?” she asks, a quiver in her voice.

“Safer than anyplace else.” I stride again to her aspect. “Nobody will get in or out with out my say-so.”

She nods, her shoulders drooping in reduction. However I see the questions in her eyes. I determine to go them off, understanding they will not lead anyplace good. I do not need to misinform her, however she is not prepared to listen to the reality about who and what I’m.

“What did you see tonight, cara?” I ask as a substitute. “What has you so afraid?”

She flinches, and I curse myself. Maybe now is not the time for that, both. She wants consolation, not questions.

“Come on,” I say, main her to the sofa. I pull her down onto my lap, holding her. “You do not owe me solutions, angioletta.”

“I am sorry,” she murmurs, her voice a fragile thread. “For all of this… for intruding into your life. I do know you p-probably did not imply to ever hear from me once more.”

I tip her head again, analyzing her face. “Is that what you assume?”

“It is true, is not it?”

“No, it is not.” I feather my fingers alongside her cheek, my eyes locked on hers. I need to shield her, sure, however greater than that—I would like her. Towards cause, towards the principles, I would like her. “I’ve tried like hell to remain away. I ought to keep away. However you are all I’ve considered since I watched the cab drive away, Karina.” My thumb traces her full backside lip. “I regretted letting you go. I regretted not ending what we began.”

She watches me, her eyes vast.

“Even now, while you’re hurting, I am excited about issues I should not.”

Her tongue skirts throughout her backside lip. “L-like what?”

“Such as you in your knees with my cock stuffed down your fairly little throat.” I wrap mild fingers across the column of her throat as an instance my level. “I am not a superb man, cara.” I swallow. “I am not good for you. However you adopted me out of that ballroom, and now I am afraid I’ll blacken your soul.”

“Do it,” she whimpers. “Please, Coda.”

But once more, she does not know what she asks. And but once more, I am helpless to do something besides give it to her anyway. Not due to her father. Not due to my vendetta. Not for any cause aside from her and the best way she makes me really feel.

Alive. For the primary time in years, I really feel alive.

I pull her all the way down to me, brushing my lips throughout hers. “Mi fai sognare.”

She sighs sweetly and snuggles as much as me, our our bodies molding collectively completely, despite the fact that they should not. We’re a puzzle with mismatched items, however for some cause, we match collectively seamlessly.

On this second, with Karina in my arms, the previous and future fade. Right here, now, I am her defend and her avenger, and that is all that issues. Not what I’ve achieved. Not her father. Not the mafia. Simply her.

“I realized the reality about my father right now,” she whispers. “I have been questioning for some time if he was one of many good guys or not, and now I do know. He is not.”

“What occurred, cara?”

“He was on the cellphone with these males. He did not see me, however I heard issues I should not have.” She lifts her gaze to mine, her eyes vast and haunted. “They have been speaking a few cargo. One thing beneficial.”

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