My head is pounding, making me groan, as I crack my eyelids to see the sunlight streaming into the room. My face slides against the silky pillows, the unfamiliar sandalwood scent a fast reminder I’m not at home.
Shit, where am I?
I bolt upright, and my eyes land on Luca. His elbows are resting on his knees, holding his head up. How long has he been here?
“How are you feeling?” His voice is gravelly, like he’s tired.
I rub my forehead. The headache is so intense I can barely even think through it. “I’m okay, I think. How long have I been out of it?”
His sharp jaw clenches as his green eyes darken. “Five days.”
I don’t totally remember the last few days. A lot of throwing up and so much pain. I feel absolutely disgusting. When I pull back the covers, I’m surprised to see myself in a black oversized t-shirt and dark sweatpants that I don’t even recall getting into.
Swinging my legs over the bed, I suck in a breath to stop the room spinning. I’ve never been so weak in my life. I never, ever want to experience this again.
When I slowly push myself up, Luca jumps across the room with his arms out like he’s ready to catch me if I fall. Leaning against the mattress, I steady myself.
He stands right next to me. “I’m here to help you, if you need it.”
I grab onto his arm, my legs are so wobbly. “This is fucking embarrassing,” I mutter to myself. Even if he is my captor, no one should have ever seen me like this.
“You’re good, Rosa. You’ve got this.” He’s like a rock, firm and steady next to me.
I hiccup. My emotions are too much right now.
“I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this. I bet this wasn’t what you signed up for when you kidnapped me.”
His warm palm covers my hand resting on his. “This isn’t about me. If this is what it takes to heal you, then I’m glad I did it.”
He doesn’t know what I’m running from. I bet if he did, if he knows how tainted I am, he wouldn’t be saying that. No one would.
As I take a step forward, my footing falters and I crash into his chest. His strong arms wrap around me, and for the first time in my life, I feel safe. I probably shouldn’t, not knowing who he is. My dad’s enemy, a mafia boss. But right now, he is all I have. Of all the evils in my life, Luca is my best option. I close my eyes for a second, letting the sound of his heart calm me, his chest rising and falling steadily.
“How about I run you a bath and go and make you some breakfast?” The rumble of his words vibrates soothingly against my cheek.
Both options sound heavenly right now. The fact he’s so willing to go out of his way for me, to care for me, has me wanting to cry. It’s so unfamiliar, but the best feeling in the world.
“I’d like that.”
After a long, relaxing soak in the bath, I look at myself in the mirror without a scrap of make-up on. My skin is a little less gray and my eyes look less dead. Maybe I am getting somewhere. This is the longest I’ve gone without a drink in years. The tremble in my hands reminds me I am nowhere near out of the woods yet.
When I open up the walk-in closet, it makes me gasp. Luca told me he had clothes delivered for me, but I wasn’t expecting a full wardrobe’s worth. I run my fingers along the fabric– sweaters, jeans, pretty lace shirts, in every imaginable color. His suits are neatly hung at the end. I’m assuming I’ll need to move this into another room at some point. There’s no way he’ll be okay with me taking over his life. I open up the drawer inside and find a variety of underwear all neatly folded. All black.
I shimmy on some panties and throw on some leggings and a hoodie. There are even scrunchies and a bag of makeup and skin care products left on the bedside table. He’s seen me at my absolute worst, so I can at least try to make myself a little bit presentable. Even if it’s just to get that worried look off of his face.
I snatch up the bag and head into the bathroom again, working my magic, making my skin glow, and shove my curly hair into a messy bun.
As I head down the stairs, the smell of breakfast cooking makes my stomach rumble. Luca is whistling to himself and flipping pancakes. How did I not notice before he was just wearing a tight fitting black t-shirt and gray sweatpants which show off every damn muscle?
His head turns to see me and his face lights up.
“Wow,” he whispers, before smiling and returning to the stove.
My cheeks burn as I sit up on the barstool over the kitchen island. He scatters fresh fruit over the pancakes with a practiced flair, and I lick my lips as he places it down in front of me.
I can’t even think of words worthy of how delicious it smells. “This looks incredible.”
He winks at me and joins me on the seat next to me. I can’t help but keep peering over as he eats, watching his muscles flex as he cuts into his meal.
After a moment, he pauses and his eyes meet mine. “What’s the matter? You aren’t hungry?”
His voice shakes me from my daydreams. How long was I staring at him?
“Y-yes. I–” Shit. I avert my gaze and quickly shove food in my mouth to avoid any conversation. His soft laugh when he turns back to his plate sends a warm shiver into my belly.
I manage to make my way through the whole thing. The sugar is already battling my exhaustion. Feeling like I need to repay him for his kindness, I start to take the plates, but he places his hand on my arm, stopping me. Tingles erupt on the contact, and I find myself staring at the touch.
He pushes his chair out and pulls the dish from my grasp. “You stay where you are. I’ve got this.”
“I want to help. I don’t want to be useless anymore. You’ve done so much.”
He huffs and steps away. The second his hand is gone, I miss his touch. What the hell? This is new. I’ve never wanted a man’s touch, yet his makes me giddy and safe.
As he loads the dishwasher, I put all the fruit scraps into the garbage, humming away to myself.
“I have to go to work today. I’m not sure what time I’ll actually make it home tonight.”
I can sense the unease in his voice. God, I must have really been a mess for him to sound this worried about leaving me.
“I’ll be fine, Luca.” The water almost scalds my fingers as I wet a cloth to wipe the counter.
He leans against the closed dishwasher door and crosses his large, tattooed arms across his chest. “Are you sure? Because if not, I can cut out my training session with Grayson, so I’ll be with you most of the day.”
“I swear, I feel better today. I’ll just watch some movies, maybe sit outside and get some fresh air. Going through all of my new clothes will take most of the day.”
I bite back a grin, pulling on the sleeves of my sweatshirt so he can’t see my hands shake.
He pulls out a phone from his gray sweatpants and holds it out to me. His eyes narrow as he stares at me. I’m frozen in place, struggling to focus on anything other than those green eyes and their little flecks of brown.
“This is locked to my number only. If you need me, for anything, you call me.”
I take it from him and hold it tightly, letting its warmth from his body seep into me. “I will. Now go get ready. I can finish up here.”
He takes a few steps away and stops, spreading his broad palms on the island countertop. “I mean it. Please call me.”
My heart flutters over his protectiveness over me.
“Promise.” My finger makes a cross over my heart.
We gaze into each other’s eyes. I have no clue for how long we stare in a comfortable silence. The air around us almost feels electrified. The spell is broken when he clears his throat and backs away.
“I’ll see you later, then, little one.” He winks and snatches up his keys.
It leaves me sagging against the counter, wondering what the hell is happening.
