“Is it because of what I did?”
She nodded. “I’m not like other girls, you just fuck, Alessio. You-You took it from me. I was saving myself…” She looked away from me, her eyes misting over.
A pang shot through my chest at her words. I knew I’d fucked it up.
“Tell me how to fix it. I will,” I said, taking her hand in mine and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
“Will you just… hold me tonight?”
“Yes,” I murmured. “If it is what you wish.”
“It is,” she said.
“Then come. We can lie in bed together, watch movies, and I will have food brought to us.”
Her eyes lit up at my words, and I breathed out, relieved she hadn’t shut me out completely. I’d been a monster to her. In fact, I was too afraid to show my face to her after what I’d done.
But it was eating at me, so there I was, hoping to smooth things over.
I led her to her bedroom, where she slid beneath the comforter, her remote in hand. I smiled at how sweet she looked.
I pulled my phone out and placed an order, knowing Frank would be irritated that he’d be my errand boy. I was beckoning him to me, but once he realized where I was, I was sure his irritation would grow to anger.
That was OK.
It was his fault Indigo was here anyway.
10
KLAUS
“How is sweet Rosalie?” Matteo called out to Anson as we sat in his office. Anson had been there for an hour and seemed lost in thought, not contributing to anything we said.
Anson shook his head, a sigh coming out. “I don’t know. She moved out. We’re taking some space.”
I shifted forward in my seat at that news. I wanted to demand an answer to where she was, but I held it in and simply waited to see what he would say. She hadn’t told me she was moving. In fact, I hadn’t spoken to her all that much this week since I’d been working extra. Plus, I was concerned I’d look desperate, so I forced myself not to overindulge.
Matteo sat forward and frowned. “What? Where is she staying?”
“A hotel for now—” Anson started.
“Alessio, get her here. I want her looked after—” Matteo snapped his fingers at Alessio, who made to stand.
Perfect. There we go…
“Father, no,” Anson shouted, his blue eyes flashing.
I tensed, and we all stared at Anson.
“She-She wants to be free. I’m letting her. I think a break would do her good.” Anson looked at his hands.
“She works at a diner,” I said after a moment. “Waiting tables for pennies.”
I still wasn’t sold on her working there. If she were my girl, she’d never work. I’d pamper her and ensure she had everything she could ever want, including all of me.
I breathed out, hating the strange thoughts. They weren’t me, but there was something about her I couldn’t shake. She had been texting me since we’d exchanged numbers. Little things, and I’d reply by telling her she should come to my apartment. She’d reply with a simple thank you, but say she didn’t want to impose. I’d say she could never, but she wouldn’t hear it.
Stubborn. Like her father.
