“Doesn’t matter. You’re mine now, and I always protect what’s mine,” he pledged.
“I d-don’t think you can just decide that I’m yours, big guy, nice as the sentiment may be,” I reminded him, but I was smiling despite my protest.
“Just did. You don’t have to accept it yet, but I have, and you will too, in time,” he told me plainly. “No more arguing for now. You should try to rest. Do you want to lie in your bed, or stay with me?” he offered.
“I’m happy where I am, at least until your arms start hurting,” I admitted.
“Pfft. That won’t happen. Are you warm enough?”
“I’m all good for now. Stop worrying,” I told him around a deep yawn that angered my bruised side and ribs.
“Don’t do that again! It caused you more pain,” Dante groused, and it made me smile.
“Don’t yawn?” I questioned, then laughed when he simply nodded. “Don’t think that’s in my control.”
He stunned me silent though when he lifted his huge hand and softly smoothed the side of his index finger down my cheek with such gentleness. I moved my right hand over his and held it against my cheek, loving the feel of his sheer size beside me, and the contrast of how careful and gentle his touch was. He made me feel delicate and precious in a way I had never felt before.
“Close your eyes and try to rest now. You’re safe. I won’t leave you.”
“I believe you,” I told him. I turned my head just enough for my lips to meet the side of his fingers and I laid a kiss there, then I settled my head against his chest again and closed my eyes. The pain pills were definitely kicking in, as was my come down from adrenaline, and my exhaustion. I was almost asleep when a commotion awoke me with a start.
“Fuck!” I hissed as I jolted awake and caused a ton of renewed pain to shoot through every inch of my body.
“I’ll kill them!” Dante growled as he cradled me closer to him, I suspected in a desperate attempt to ease my pain.
I looked to Dante with concern, but then I heard Gia yelling and relaxed somewhat. At least it wasn’t more unknown assailants coming after us all.
“What’s g-going on?” I pushed the words through my gasps of pain.Damn it, that hurt!
“No! It’s your fucking fault, Rafe and you know it!” Gia screamed from right outside the door of my room now, I was guessing based on how loud it was.
“Gia, please just calm down,” Rafe pleaded more quietly. “You’re upset, and I suspect, pretty drunk too.”
“UPSET! Are you fucking joking?! I was kidnapped Rafe! I was beaten and threatened! Do you even care about any of that?!”
“Of course I do, Gia! I’m just asking you to stay with Dario for five minutes though, so I can check on Cara too, please? I almost lost both of you tonight and I have to know you are both alright now you’re home,” Rafe pleaded.
“Come on, kid. Rafe has stayed with you since the second he got you back, and he’s told you that he’ll stay with you all night too. Just give him five minutes with your sister, so he can see for himself that she’s as well as she can be right now,” Dio spoke up.
“Fuck you, Dario. I’m not a kid!”
“You’re acting like one right now though,” Cal cut in sharply. “Don’t you even care about Cara? She walked into that nightmare, not knowing what she would face, and got hurt as a result, all to save you! Don’t you give a single crap how she’s doing right now?”
“L-let me up, Dante, please. This is crazy,” I groaned as I started trying to move from his grip.
“No. Stop!” he demanded, and I did, though I told myself it was because moving hurt too much, rather than some weird urge I seemed to have to do as he said and please him. “Be still and I’llcarry you.” I nodded and clung tightly to Dantes arm to steady myself as he carefully slid from the bed, trying not to jostle me.
“…all taking her side! Is she fucking you all or something? Is that her deep, dark secret, huh Rafe? Was she a fucking whore?” Gia screamed just as Dante got to the door and ripped it open.
Rafe was stood closest to the door, and beside him was Cal. Gia stood opposite them, facing me as Dante stepped out, and Dio was right behind her.
They all looked exhausted, and Gia was still in a state, with scratches and a bruise on her face. Someone had draped a coat over her shoulders so her dress was covered now, and she wasn’t shaking like she had been before.
“Cara?” Rafe turned instantly and looked down to me in Dante’s arms. My own gaze returned to Gia. I was shocked into silence, just trying to process what she had said about me.
“Are you alright, Gia?” I asked shakily, pushing away her hate filled words. She had been through something terrible, and if she were drunk too, like Rafe said, she was likely just lashing out because she was shaken.
“Oh, aren’t you just Mother Teresa?” Gia spat. “So worried about me, are you?”
