So, would she ever be normal again? Sharon thought about Marc today and how he had attempted to ask her out. That is who she should be interested in, someone who lived a calm life and not full of violence. No doubt Marc would have taken her to nice restaurants at first, even to a few parties on campus, before kissing her. Sex would be vanilla with him, with no surprises and definitely no ropes. Then he would have taken her home to meet his parents, probably a sailboat-loving family in the upstate, given his nice tan and accent. They would love her, of course, and she would like them.
But even though she could dream of how that relationship would be, it would not make her happy. Vittorio's words rang true to her. She would always be his.
The sound of her doorknob turning ever so slightly caught Sharon's attention and she turned toward the door, her heart stopping in her chest as she saw the masked intruder standing there, his body framed by the kitchen light they left on at night. Her first instinct was to scream, but he put his fingers to his lips, shaking his head slowly. They had found her. Rocco had found her, and now he was going to kill her to make Vittorio hurt.
Oh, she should have never left!
Clutching the blanket over her, she watched with bated breath as he came into her room and shut the door, trying to remember where she had put her mace. After her kidnapping, Sharon had replaced her mace, putting one in every bag and drawer in her room, so she would never go without it.
She had half-hoped she would never need it again.
When he got close to the bed, she lashed out with her foot, hoping to catch him off guard.
But he saw it coming and grabbed her foot, his touch surprisingly gentle as he ran his gloved hand over her instep.
"Did you really think that was going to do anything?"
Sharon froze.
"Vittorio?"
No, he couldn't be here!
He nodded, his eyes glittering in the dim lighting.
"Are you going to come willingly, or do I have to keep up this ruse?"
He had come for her. Sharon wanted to be excited about it, but fear filled her body more than anything. He had to be upset that she had left him when he had told her not to. He had to be upset she had seduced him, told him she loved him, and then walked away.
"W-what are you going to do with me?" she asked softly, unable to help herself.
"That is for you to find out," he said, his voice heavy as he held out his hand to her. "Will you come with me?"
He was asking her, leaving it in her court to make up her mind if she wanted this. Sharon was surprised that he wasn't demanding she come with him, but that he was asking her.
"And if I don't?"
"Then I will protect you from a distance," he ground out, clearly upset with her that she was not coming immediately. "Please."
The word nearly broke her, and against her better judgement Sharon took his hand, feeling the cold leather against her skin. He helped her out of bed and she threw on some shoes, grabbing her bag before she was led out of the bedroom and out of the apartment, Vittorio securing the door behind him. He was silent as they walked right out of her building and into a waiting car, Sharon sliding over so that he could fold his large body in next to her.
The car moved as soon as he shut the door and she watched with wary eyes as he removed the mask, running a hand through his hair. He looked just as she had remembered, though there was a haggardness to his face, as if he had not been sleeping well. Lines of exhaustion bracketed his mouth, his eyes tiredly looking at her, and Sharon felt a jolt explode through her body as their eyes connected. Vittorio had come after her. He had asked her to come with him, not demanded her to do so.
He also looked as if he had missed her, which warmed her heart despite the tension between them. She didn't know what to say, what to do with this Vittorio.
Chapter 12
Vittorio
She was with him.
Vittorio ran his hand through his hair once more, before remembering he had gloves on. He shed them as well, throwing them on the floor before him. Tonight had been too easy and he'd nearly had a heart attack at the thought of how easy it would have been for Rocco's men to slit her throat as she slept.
But it didn't matter now. He had her in his sights, her shampoo filling his senses and causing him to clench his hands together so he wouldn't reach out and touch her. There was a wariness in her eyes he desperately wanted to rid her of before he did any touching.
Clearing his throat, Vittorio looked at Sharon.
"Why did you leave me?"
Her eyes widened, and she wet her lips, the subtle movement making his cock tighten with need. Hell, it had been too long. He should have dumped off in some chick before he had come for her.
"Vittorio," she said softly.
"Why did you leave me?" he asked again, his voice coming out rough.
She had no idea what he had gone through these past few days without her, nearly going out of his mind with worry, the pain all too real in his heart. He wanted to tell her, but was unable to get the words out.
Fuck, she was going to kill him in the end.
"I'm sorry," she finally said, crossing her arms over her chest. "I-I couldn't deal with the violence. You scared me and made me question if we were really in love or if it was just an infatuation."
Surprised, Vittorio swallowed hard.
"You don't love me?"
She gave out a little, desperate laugh.
"I wish I could tell you no, but I do love you. I've tried to block you out of my mind, out of my heart, but you just keep worming yourself back in and I … well, there's no need to fight it, honestly."
Relief flooded his body. Thank god, she still loved him.
"I've looked for you every fucking where."
"I know," she answered, swallowing. "I-I saw the news. Are you truly doing that for me?"
Vittorio rubbed a hand over his face.
"It started out because of you, but it turned into something bigger, something that I should have done a long time ago. So, yeah, I did in the beginning, but we are truly at war now."
"And you wonder why I left you."
Her words stung but he could appreciate her honesty.
"I'm sorry," he said flatly. "This is who I am. I can't stop this."
The car slowed, and their conversation was cut off as the door opened and Vittorio climbed out, reaching back to help Sharon out as well. Her touch was warm on his hand, but he didn't let go of her hand, holding onto it like she would disappear at any moment and this would all be a bad fucking dream.
Vittorio was grateful that she didn't pull away. Instead, she interlaced her fingers with his as he walked them toward the building, silence between them as they made their way to his penthouse. He didn't know what to say to her, afraid that if he said the wrong thing, she would demand to be taken home and he would never see her again.
He fucking hated feeling weak.
Once they were inside his penthouse, he set the alarm before turning back to Sharon.
"Do you want something to drink?"
She shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself.
"I'm fine, thanks."
"Would you care to sit?" he tried again, gesturing to the couch.
As much as he wanted to take her directly to his bed and bury himself between her luscious thighs, Vittorio knew there were things that needed to be said between them.
Sharon arched a brow at him, a smile flirting on her face.
"I've never known you to be this civil, Vittorio."
He groaned, his cock twitching at the look on her face.
"I'm trying to give you space, so we can talk."
She covered the distance between them, leaving mere inches between their bodies.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Anything," he said hoarsely, his hands balled into fists.
"Do you truly love me?"
Vittorio felt a bit lightheaded as he stared down at her, drinking the sight of her standing there in his living room with nothing but a t-shirt and shorts on.
"God you have no fucking idea how much. I know I fucking suck at showing it, but I missed you so damn much it hurt. I dreamed about you every night."
Her eyes glistened with tears, but she didn't reach for him.
"I-I'm sorry I left. I was scared."
"I know," he said softly. "I just wish you would have left a fucking note."
She let out a choked laugh.
"You aren't going to beat me, are you?"
Vittorio shook his head.
"Not unless you want me to. All I want to do is hold you and never let you go."
She let out a sob and closed the space between them, crashing into his body. Vittorio let out a breath as he crushed her against him, burying his face in her hair.
"Don't ever leave me again. I can't fucking take it."
Her tears soaked through his t-shirt as she pressed her body against him.