“You’re very bossy,” I remark, even as I do what he says.
“I don’t hear you complaining.”
Honestly, I can’t argue with that.
I expect him to join me, but something holds him back.
“Before we go any further, I need to show you something.”
“Okay,” I answer hesitantly, confused by the rigid set of his body.
“That’s for you.” He points at a knife sheath he must have attached to my nightstand. “If you ever feel unsafe, I want you to know you can use that.”
“I don’t think they’re going to come here,” I tell him. “Besides, they couldn’t get in even if they did.”
“It’s not for them,” he says. “It’s for anyone who could be a threat, including me.”
I don’t really understand, but I can only assume he thinks I’m still freaked out by what happened.
“It’s small, but sharp, so don’t take it out unless you need it,” he instructs me. “And if you do use it, go for the throat. It’s the fastest way to incapacitate someone.”
“I don’t know if this is supposed to be romantic or deranged.” I laugh awkwardly.
“I just want you to have it,” he insists. “In case you need it.”
“Alright. Well, thanks?”
I’m not sure how I feel about sleeping with a knife next to my bed, but I guess it can’t hurt.
Once he sees that I’ve accepted his strange gift, he climbs over me and tugs me against him. His arm wraps around my waist, the warmth of his body soaking into mine.
“Tell me if it gets to be too much,” he says.
I nod, but somehow, I don’t think it will. I feel safe, and what I think is contentment. But beneath that, a bitter pang of guilt lingers—because I shouldn’t be happy. Not when I’ve ruined Romeo’s life.
I should tell Eros to go. But before I can verbalize it, a dozen other arguments materialize until exhaustion pulls me under.
At some point, I hear him slip out of bed and open the door to my room. I want to ask where he’s going, but I never quite get the words out. I drift in and out of sleep, and when he returns, it disorients me, because it felt like he was gone for hours.
When daylight spills through the windows and I open my eyes again, the space beside me is empty.
I sit up with a groan as a hollow feeling settles in my chest. It’s not as if I expected him to be here, but I don’t like the idea of him leaving without a goodbye.
Except, when I glance at the nightstand, I realize he didn't. He left a note for me, along with some painkillers and a fresh bottle of water.
Breakfast is in the fridge.
I walked your dog.
Get some rest today, little shark.
I read the words a few times, shooting Beppe a questioning glance. It seems he feels safe enough to venture off with Eros too.
Curious, I wrap myself in a bathrobe and pad down to the kitchen, opening the refrigerator door. When I see what’s waiting for me inside, it reminds me of the things I never addressed last night.
Eros showed up at that house without any explanation of how he found me, and he knew where I lived. He also knew how to access the building, and exactly where my room was.
And now, apparently, he knows my favorite breakfast is a yogurt parfait from a local bakery.
