I curl on my side, watching him through heavy lashes.
He looks wrecked.
“Thank you.” Those are the last words I remember saying before my eyes close as my exhaustion pulls me under.
And the last thing I hear, right before sleep takes me, is his voice. “No one takes what’s mine.”
And somehow . . .
I believe him.
62
Lorenzo
Victoria shifts in my arms.“What time is it?”
“Around two in the morning.”
“Seriously, and you’re still here?”
“Yep.” I glance down at her, letting my mouth twitch. “Did you really think I was going to leave you? I told you never again.”
Her cheeks flush in half indignation, half something that makes my blood heat. “You’re insane.”
“I’ve been called worse,” I respond.
She lets out a chuckle.
A small piece of hair falls across her face, and I reach out and tuck the strand behind her ear.
“I need pj’s,” she blurts out, which isn’t surprising, seeing as she’s still wearing her jeans.
I lift a brow. “You can sleep naked.”
“Not happening. But nice try.”
“Grab a shirt.” I nod toward my dresser. “Something comfortable.”
She slides off the bed, moving toward the dresser. She pulls open the top drawer, riffling through my black tees. Then she pauses. She pulls her hand out of the drawer. A small stone sits in her palm.
Her head turns slowly, eyes finding mine. “Why do you have rocks in your room?” Her brows furrow as she pulls the drawer open fully and looks inside.
Dozens of stones, all different sizes and shapes, are in the drawer.
“Are these from my parents’ beach?” she whispers.
I nod once. My throat suddenly too tight for words.
“Why have you been leaving me rocks? You did it years ago too.”
I drag a hand over my mouth, half laugh, half exhale. “You really want the answer?”
She stands slowly, stone still in her hand. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”
I take the stone from her gently, rolling it between my fingers.
“Penguins,” I say.
