I shove him away. He stumbles, skids, and bolts for the exit.
The moment he’s gone, I turn to Antonio, careful to not invade his space.
He’s standing now, but his hands tremble. My chest coils with worry.
“Did he hurt you?”
He doesn’t reply.
“You’re safe now. He’s gone.”
I glance at the table, at the shoulder bag and the books and pencils scattered around it.
“ These your things ?”
“Yes,” he says quietly, but still he doesn’t move.
Something occurs to me—something I should’ve asked right away.
“Do you want me to leave? Do I scare you?”
He shakes his head.
“You don’t scare me.” His voice is small, but he looks like he means it.
I close my eyes for a second as the staggering relief washes over me.
“Okay. I’ll help you pack,” I say. “Then I can drive you home. If you want.”
He opens his mouth to argue, like I knew he would.
“Please,” I say. “Please let me.”
He hesitates, and my heart twists, ready to be rejected again. Then he nods.
It’s the smallest thing. The most precious thing. Who knew that a nod from Antonio di Scotti would feel like the greatest gift I’ve ever been given?
And when he gives me a tentative, fleeting smile, I fall even deeper.
CHAPTER 29 – ANTONIO
We walk. Or rather, Caspian walks as I struggle not to become a bigger disaster. I can’t believe he saw me like that—weak, shaking, afraid. He must think I’m pathetic. The humiliation catches up with me in a rush, and I have to stop.
I cross my arms like they could shield me from shame.
“I can walk. There’s no need for you to drive me home.”
“I know, but I would really like to.”
His voice is soft but certain, threaded with quiet authority that shouldn’taffect me like this. Gratitude swells in my chest, but it’s mixed with resentment. This isn’t fair. How could he ward off Ryan so easily while I just stood there frozen in terror?
Why can’t I be strong and brave like that?
I bite my tongue hard to stop me from crying. One rogue tear fights its way down my cheek anyway, and I wipe it away angrily.
A man pushes a coffee cart past us, his cheerful greeting rubbing in the truth: not everyone’s sky is falling.
Caspian stops him.
