“Brando is taking over at six,” Leo whispers, sweeping hair off my face. “I will set my alarm to wake before then.”
The thought of spending hours asleep in his arms is the most comforting thought I’ve had in a day filled with nightmares. “Kiss me first,” I whisper, tipping my chin up.
He doesn’t hesitate, leaning down to brush his mouth against mine. His kisses are sweet, feather-soft, and full of tender care. We cling to one another, kissing quietly and softly because Leo always knows what I need. This is not about desire. It’s about comfort. We kiss a little more before we break apart, and I return my head to his chest and close my eyes. Lulled by the gentle movement of his hand against my hair and the steady beat of his heart, I fall asleep.
* * *
The next fewmonths crawl by in a blur. Christmas comes and goes without me really feeling it. Leo’s family spends the day with us, but I can’t even cook with Paulina because it reminds me too much of cooking extravagant Christmas dinners with Mama, and the pain is too raw. Too fresh. Leo takes me up to my room, holding me in his arms as he reads one of Mama’s books to me. That night, he slips a silver-plated diamond locket over my neck as he kisses me with all the love in his heart.
We steal plenty of hugs and kisses, but I can’t even submerge myself in him because I’m too numb on the inside. I’m incapable of offering him anything more, and he makes no demands on me.
I didn’t think it was possible to fall harder or deeper, but I do. Leo props me up with his unflinching support, endless patience, and his devoted love, and that’s the only way I can get out of bed each day.
The only silver lining is we haven’t seen the Grecos and there has been no more talk of setting a wedding date. I know I can’t avoid reality forever, but I’m happy to drown in blissful ignorance for now.
* * *
“Come take a walk with me,”Leo says the second Saturday in March.
“I’m not really in the mood,” I reply, turning over in bed.
A shiver whips over my body as the covers are yanked off me. “Up, now,dolcezza.”
His stern voice rouses my anger, and I bolt upright, glaring at him. “You don’t get to boss me around. If I want to stay in bed, I’ll stay in bed!”
“Not on my watch.” He lifts me out of the bed and plants my feet on the ground. “I know you’re mourning. I understand why you’re depressed, but you can’t lock yourself away in your bedroom forever, Nat.” He bends down, lining his eyes up with mine as he tenderly cups my face. “This is not what Mama Rosa wanted for you.”
I gulp over the messy ball of emotion clogging my throat. “It still hurts, Leo. It’s not getting easier.”
“I know, baby.” He pulls me into his arms, and I go willingly. “But this isn’t helping. I can’t stand by and do nothing anymore.”
“You haven’t been doing nothing,” I murmur against his chest. “You’ve been driving me to school, reading to me, bringing me flowers and chocolates, eating dinner with me in my room, running me baths, and forcing me out on walks.” I look up at him. “Your arms around me are the only thing holding me together.”
“You need to live, Natalia.” He brings my fingers to his mouth, brushing his lips against my skin. “We are going for a walk after you shower, and then I’m taking you out tonight.”
“You are?” I arch a brow. “Like, on a date?” He nods, smiling. “Papa and Mateo will never permit it.”
“They have already approved.” My brows climb higher up my hairline in disbelief, and he chuckles. “It’s a secret date,” he whispers in my ear. “They think you are doing dinner and the movies with Frankie.”
“What about Brando?” My two bodyguards still shield me everywhere I go, even though the threat appears to be gone now. Mateo told me they took care of the people who were responsible and they wouldn’t be coming after me again. Yet Papa still keeps Brando and Leo as my perpetual shadows, so everything is not as it seems.
“Brando won’t say anything.”
I narrow my eyes. “How can you be sure?”
Leo clasps my face in his hands. “Brando is smart,dolcezza. He knows I’ve been sleeping in your room, holding you at night. He sees the way we look at one another. He has spotted the hand-holding, the arm touches, the lingering looks.”
Panic splays across my face as I think of how careless we have been. Yes, it’s all been pretty innocent. Hugs and kisses and subtle touches, and we haven’t progressed any further, but even that is enough for Leo to earn a bullet in his skull.
“Shush, baby. Stop panicking.” Leo dusts kisses all over my face. “He won’t say anything. He is loyal to your father but equally loyal to you. He is worried about you as well.”
“Are you really sure?”
“One hundred percent. Ask him yourself if you don’t believe me.”
Eh, yeah, no thanks.“I believe you.” I fling my arms around his neck, hugging him tight. “I trust you.”
“Okay, good.” He gently pushes me away, swatting my ass through my silk nightgown. “Get your sexy ass in the shower and meet me outside in twenty minutes.”
