Under his protection

Chapter 10

Dante

I walked into a quiet and dark apartment. It’s been a long day.

After the meeting with the capos, I had visited some of the warehouses just to properly assess the situation. Then a dinner meeting with a supplier, which had pissed me off to no end, dragging on longer than necessary. I could feel Adriano's eyes on me at my unusual lack of patience, but I ignored him.

I really just wanted to get home and get some rest, or at least that’s what I told myself.

The real reason was currently asleep on the long couch in the living room.

Aria.

Carlos had kept me updated on all her activities throughout the day, every single detail, including all the ways she found to torture them. Apparently, she had rearranged more than half of the living room to make way for a makeshift library and reading corner, after which she spent the rest of the day buried in books. Too bad we would have to move again, but maybe I can hold off for a couple of days.

Carlos had also mentioned she had “politely” requested Victor go out to get her some clothes, more ice cream, and some books as well.

I should be annoyed she turned made men into errand boys, but instead I find myself standing here, watching her.

Aria was curled up in a fetal position, still in my shirt. She had her legs tucked in, one arm under her cheek, and a book in her lap. Even as she slept, her innocence radiated off her, like she didn’t belong anywhere near this world.

It didn’t make sense.

Carefully, I took the book out of her lap, placing it on the table. Then, bending to pick her up, she shifted slightly but didn’t wake up. For a moment, I just stood there, watching how perfectly she fit in my arms.

Her body instinctively moved closer to mine, her head resting against my chest, like maybe she belonged there.

I quickly shoved those dangerous thoughts out of my mind and headed toward the bedroom, which is actually mine, but the idea of her sleeping anywhere else just didn’t sit right with me.

I gently placed her on the bed, and just as I was about to pull away, her fingers tightened around my shirt.

“Don’t leave,” her voice gentle.

I froze.

At first, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, but it came again.

Then she said it again.

“Don’t leave me…” this time, real, clearer.

She was still asleep, but her beautiful face twisted with discomfort, fear, and pain.

“Mom… Dad… don’t leave me.”

I didn’t know what to do.

I wasn’t trained for this, so I just sat there, stroking her hair till she settled.

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “You’ll be okay, princess.”

Slowly, her breathing settled and the tension in her face eased. Even then, I couldn’t bring myself to leave.

Instead, I moved to the couch facing her bed. I took off my shirt, exhaustion finally catching up with me, and fell asleep.

I woke up to find a pair of confused brown eyes staring at me.

Aria.

My plan was to wake up early and leave the room before she woke up, but I guess I was more tired than I thought.

From the looks of it, Aria had just woken up as well. She looked guarded, clutching the sheets against her chest.

“Why are you in my room?” she sounded defensive, and I could definitely understand that.

I pushed myself up slowly, picking my shirt hanging at the back of the chair.

“Technically, it’s my room,” I replied, emphasizing the my part.

“But to answer your question, princess, you asked me to stay.”

My new endearment for her slipped out before I could stop myself. From the way a rose shade appeared on her cheeks, it looked like she noticed.

She caught herself fast.

“Don’t call me that, and I don’t remember asking you to do anything.”

Of course she doesn’t. I turned in an attempt to leave, but I didn’t miss the way her gaze ran over my body. This caused me to smirk.

“Do you like what you see, princess?” my voice came out low.

She shot me an annoyed look, even though she somehow looked flustered.

“I don’t think your wife would appreciate you sleeping shirtless in another woman’s room.”

There it is.

The reminder.

She’s right. No woman would appreciate that, certainly not Lucia. My expression must have turned sour because she quickly tried to take it back.

“I’m sorr—”

“You are right,” I cut in.

“I’m going for a run. You can get something to eat for breakfast.”

I headed towards the door, but Aria spoke, stopping me in my tracks.

“Aren’t you afraid I’d run?”

“The sooner you understand you are safer with me than out there, the better.”

I didn’t look back.

“Besides, you wouldn’t get past the door.”

Not waiting for a response, I walked out.

The run did nothing to quell the tension I felt. In fact, I think it made it worse.

Finding a giggling Aria in the kitchen with Adriano certainly didn’t help. She was dressed in what I’m guessing are the new clothes Victor had picked up for her. They were clearly too big, but she looked…

Cutting the thought off immediately.

“What are you doing here?” my voice must have come out rougher than I intended because Aria startled.

Jumping too quickly and brushing her palm against a hot pot.

Shit!

Without thinking, I ran toward her, dragging her to place her hand under running water to ease the sting.

“You should be more careful,” I said, harsher than necessary.

“Well, you scared me,” she shot back.

I could tell she was trying to hold in the pain, but she wasn’t doing a very good job.

I didn’t bother replying, so we just stood there, staring at each other, water running over her fingers and her eyes filled with unshed tears. I made a silent vow never to make her cry.

Adriano cleared his throat behind us, holding an ointment in his hand.

Right.

I snatched the ointment from him and dragged her towards the empty stool.

“Sit.”

She didn’t argue.

Good.

Carefully, I applied the ointment, trying my best to ignore every wince she made and how much it annoyed me.

After I was done, I raised my head to find Aria staring at me in a way no one ever has.

Not guarded or fearful.

Not defensive.

Something else.

Then it hit me. The hardest part wasn’t going to be protecting her but staying away from her.

And for the first time, I wasn’t sure I wanted to.