"You've been working hard," she says, setting them down on the nearby bench. "You should rest."
I can't look at her. Can't let her see whatever's in my face.
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine." She steps closer, and I force myself not to back away. "Lupo, what's wrong?"
Everything. I'm remembering. I'm a murderer. I'm exactly the kind of man you ran away from.
"Nothing," I lie. "Just a little tired and sore."
She doesn't believe me. I can see it in her eyes. But she doesn't push.
"Will you come for dinner again tonight?" she asks quietly. "Elena's been asking."
Dinner. Sitting at their table like I belong there. Like I'm someone safe. Someone good.
Like I'm not a killer with blood-soaked hands.
"I don't think—"
"Please," she says, and the word breaks something in me. "I liked having you there. We both did."
I should say no. Should keep my distance. Should protect them from the truth of what I am.
But when I look at her, all I can think about is Draco Vitale. About the men at the market. About anyone who would try to hurt her.
And I realize I will them all.
Every single one of them. Without hesitation. Without mercy.
I would tear apart anyone who threatened her or Elena. Would paint this farm red with their blood. Would do things that would make my past murders look gentle.
Because they're mine to protect now.
Even if I don't deserve them. Even if they'd hate me if they knew what I really am.
They're mine.
"Okay," I hear myself say. "I'll come to dinner."
She smiles, relieved, and touches my arm. Just a brief touch, but it burns.
"Good," she says. "Six o'clock."
She leaves, and I stand there holding a hammer and thinking about all the ways I could use it to protect her.
The violence in me isn't going away. It's getting stronger. Clearer. With each memory that surfaces, I remember more of what I'm capable of.
And the terrifying part is that I'm grateful for it.
Because Isabella and Elena need a monster right now. They need someone willing to do terrible things. Someone who won't hesitate. Someone who knows exactly how to kill and isn't afraid to do it.
They need me.
Not the man I'm trying to be, gentle, helpful, safe.
They need the man I actually am.
