“It didn’t sound like you were,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest. Holy shit, do the tattoos look good. They’re down both arms, and his T-shirt hugs his biceps like a second skin, and it all makes me a little sweaty.
“I’m just ready for a night of downtime, that’s all. It’s been a crazy week, and I feel like I haven’t had a minute to just breathe since I sat down at that breakfast with my father. Everything was scary. Not just that day or the days since, but foryears.And it feels good to take a breath.”
I realize I’ve finished chopping the tomatoes, and my eyes fly up to his.
“I might have said too much.”
“Never.” He circles the island and wraps his arms around me from behind, pressing his lips against the top of my head. “I hate that you lived in fear for even one minute. Someone will pay for that.”
I sigh and lean back into him, enjoying his strength, his warmth.Nothingfeels better than being held by Rome. “I don’t need someone to pay for it. I just don’t want to live that way anymore.”
I feel his breath in my hair as he rubs his lips lightly back and forth. “You’ll never live that way again. What are you making? It smells fucking amazing.”
I smile and tip my head back to look up into his icy-blue eyes. “This is for bruschetta. I have bread in the oven for that, too. But I’m making homemade pasta for dinner, and the sauce is simmering. I should have asked you if you have allergies or if there’s anything you hate.”
“I’ll eat whatever you make,” he says before he kisses my forehead. “Do you have everything you need?”
“Your kitchen is well-equipped. I love it.”
“I’ve never used it.” He smirks and hugs me before letting me go. “I’ll be heading to work at around six.”
“This will be done before then,” I assure him. “I’d like to invite Scarlett over to hang out here with me tonight.”
“I don’t have a problem with that. When she arrives, have one of the guards outside go down to get her.”
I nod, relieved that Rome is so laid-back. Most men in his world are hard and cruel. Uncaring. Certainly not affectionate and happy to do a woman’s bidding.
“You have an odd look on your face,” he says, watching me.
“If you hadn’t told me that you’re part of organized crime, I’d never have guessed. I’ve spent my whole life in that world, and you arenotlike them.”
“Explain.” His eyes narrow, and his jaw firms, but he doesn’t look angry. He looks …concerned.
“You’re not hard and angry. Mean. Vicious. I’m not afraid that you’re going to hurt me just for the fun of it.”
His jaw works. “I need to get something straight with you. I’mnota good man, Eloise. Iamhard and angry, and I can be vicious. I have no qualms about taking someone’s life.”
“But it’s because they’re the bad guys. Not just randomly, or because you enjoy it.”
He tips his head to the side. “Don’t romanticize me. I’ll treat you well every moment of every day, but fewothers get that luxury. No, I don’t enjoy hurting women. Killing is a part of most of my days. People fucking fear me because I need them to.Iam the bad guy, firefly.”
I nod slowly, taking it in as I stir the bruschetta mixture, then place it in the fridge so all of the flavors can marry.
Next, I get started on the pasta.
“Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t make it nonexistent,” he finally says.
“But I prefer not to see it.” I clear my throat. “I’m not innocent, Rome. I’ve seen my fair share of death. My father thought it was funny to murder the men who betrayed him in front of me.”
He lowers his hands, and they fist on the island, but I keep talking.
“He’s a sadistic bastard.” I shake my head and open cupboards. “Do you have a stand mixer with attachments?”
“I have no idea.”
“Hmm.” I walk into the pantry to look and don’t see it at first, but then it catches my eye on a corner shelf, high up. “Aha! Found it.”
I’m able to grab it with my right hand, but it’s too heavy for my left since I can’t reach all the way above my head. I almost drop it, but suddenly, Rome’s there, helping me.
