Page 166 of Safe Word

‘You don’t know what it means,’ Ezio droned, voice quivering with exaggerated emotion. ‘To see you here… To know you haven’t forgotten. The Doctor said I don’t have much time. And I don’t want to spend it estranged from my boy.’

I stifled the urge to scream. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of losing it – not again.

‘You’re a piece of work,’ I whispered, my voice cutting through his performance. ‘Spare me the sob story, Ezio. You’re not some fragile old man clinging to life – you’re a scheming bastard, like you’ve always been.’

Ezio flinched, though the glint in his eyes betrayed him. ‘Cain…’

‘No,’ I growled, stepped closer to the bed, my presence towering over his frail form. ‘This bullshit ends now. Pull another stunt…’ I leaned in and lowered my voice. ‘And I’ll finish the job. Got it?’

Paula didn’t move a single muscle. She stood shouldering the wall with her arms crossed, observing the spectacle with a seemingly detached expression.

Ezio’s eyes widened, the act slipping for a moment. He exhaled shakily, turning to her with embellished sorrow.

‘Do you see how harsh he is with me?’ he asked her, his voice soft and pitiful. ‘But that’s okay. Every parent endures the anger of their children. It’s a cross we bear.’

Paula raised a brow, as though weighing his words.

‘Did you deserve it?’ she asked calmly. I couldn’t stop the smirk from blooming on my face.

Ezio blinked, taken aback. ‘I beg your pardon?’

Paula took a slow step forward. ‘Do you think you deserve the way he treats you?’

The shift in Ezio’s demeanour was subtle but unmistakable. His eyes narrowed slightly, a sharper glint creeping into them as he regarded her with curiosity and suspicion.

‘I’m not sure I understand the question,’ he said carefully.

Paula’s plump lips curved into a faint smile, though there was no warmth in it. ‘I’m sure you do,’ she replied.

Ezio’s eyes darted between her and me before settling on her again. ‘Do you think any kind of behaviour warrants such treatment from a son to his father?’

Paula held his gaze, unflinching. ‘You’re barking up the wrong tree.’

Ezio stared at her, his composure faltering as my heartbeats picked up a frantic pattern,

I watched the gears turning in his mind. For once, it seemed he’d met someone who couldn’t be manipulated easily – and I had to admit, it was satisfying to see him squirm.

A strange warmth stirred in me. Not just satisfaction. Maybe… pride.

Paula had stood up for me in a way no one ever had. She saw through Ezio’s theatrics just like that. She hadn’t flinched, hadn’t let him intimidate her, and the way she held herself – calm, composed, and unapologetic – only made her more captivating.

My attraction to her deepened, laced with an unfamiliar sense of safety.

For the first time in years, I wasn’t facing Ezio’s manipulations by myself.

The door creaked open and the nurse from earlier stepped inside, bringing a welcome gust of fresh air. She glanced between us before addressing me directly.

‘Mr D’Angelo, may I speak with you privately for a moment?’

I hesitated, my gaze flicking to Paula. I wanted to shield her from all things regarding my father, but I didn’t want to face this alone. After this taste of safety, I needed her here.

‘She comes with,’ I said firmly, stepping towards the nurse and out of the room.

Paula followed behind as I led the way into the hallway. The nurse closed the door behind us, her expression carefully neutral when she turned to me.

‘Mr D’Angelo,’ she began quietly, ‘I need to inform you of something regarding the blood sample you provided.’

I crossed my arms, my stomach tightening. ‘What is it?’ The first thing that came to mind was that in my escapades at Obsidian, I’d contracted some crap. Though I didn’t feel any the worse, and I got checked every two months.