“That can’t be true,” I argue. “You must have some empathy towards me. Or you wouldn’t care at all. I would just be anothercaptive who you would be doing the bare minimum for to survive another day until my pa agrees to your demands.”
A ghost of a smile graces his lips. And I curse every single person who has called this man cold. In the short span of time with me he’s proven he’s not. There’s warmth there. Albeit small but there.
“Perhaps you’re right,” he says.
Remembering I’m half naked I clutch the towel around me tighter. “Thank you,” I say in a small voice.
His only reply is a slight nod.
“I’m sorry about destroying your shower.”
“Are you really?”
I bite back a smile. “No.”
“Didn’t think so.”
Hands in his pockets he begins to leave. I eye the destruction that still litters the floor. “Hey!” He pauses. “How about carrying me out of here?”
Turning he says, “Ah, so now you want to be carried.”
I raise my brow. “I thought you didn’t like seeing me in pain?”
“Fair point. But I distinctly remember you saying you’re perfectly capable of walking” He shoves my words down my throat and forces me to swallow.
“Rico.”
“Imogen.” He copies my tone.
“Carry me out of here.” Easily he lifts me in his arms once more. This time I didn't protest.
Carefully walking around the shattered glass he proceeds to carry me to the bed. Before placing me on it he pulls back the duvet. He kneels down beside me as he tucks me in, ensuring the duvet covers me up to my shoulders. And the simple act of care flays me open.
“Sleep,” he says softly. “You’ll feel better in the morning.”
“Don’t lie to me, Rico. You said you don’t lie.”
His finger hovers over my brow bone as if he wants to relax the tension there. “I’m trying to offer you comfort.”
“Offer it by promising me something else.”
“What would you like me to promise you?”
“Something true.”
The muscle in his jaw ticks. His brows knit together. “I promise you this, la mia gazzella, no more harm will come to you.”
“So, you won’t kill me just yet?”
“No,” he breathes. “Frankly, I don’t even think I want to.”
My mind a little more at ease I nod my head. I’m trusting the enemy once more. Handing him the knife and hoping he doesn’t stab me. My eyes flutter shut and I can feel him staring. He’s always staring. “Goodnight, Rico.”
His finger finally makes contact with my skin. The pad of his thumb brushes over the cupid's bow of my lip. Everything within me burns. “Goodnight, Imogen.”
CHAPTER 18
Imogen
