Page 65 of Malevolent King

I leaned forward, and she worked behind me in the narrow space where the restraints allowed me inches of movement. Sofia hovered at my side, avoiding my eyes. I bore a hole into her blushing cheek, wishing I could get closer.

“I’ve missed your visits, prom queen,” I murmured.

Color bloomed in her cheeks. Her dark eyes were enormous as they darted to Carmella and back to me. My rough nursemaid was humming noisily to herself, giving me an opportunity to murmur to Sofia.

“I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me.”

She snorted softly. Even a snort from Sofia was elegant. She couldn’t help it. It was in her bones. “Like anyone could forget about you. You’re a menace.”

“But a memorable one? I’m going to take that as a compliment. I like the thought of being unforgettable.”

She rolled her eyes, her tension fading slightly as she was tugged into the banter that had always been natural between us.

“My father is in Atlantic City. He’s coming back next week.”

“So, you’re saying we have the place to ourselves?”

She shook her head, looking exasperated. “Silvio just came back. He’ll be here with his father, Franco. He’s my uncle.”

“Are you close with your uncle?”

She shook her head immediately.

“You don’t like him, do you? He’s not trustworthy,” I guessed from her expression.

“How do you know that?”

“I told you. I know you, Sofia. I get you like no one else does.”

“Sofia, give him some water and food while I bandage his wrists. I have to get some more gauze,” Carmella interrupted, and stood and shuffled toward the door.

Sofia dutifully picked up a water bottle and twisted off the cap. She moved toward me on her knees.“Don’t piss Silvio off more than comes naturally to you. Without my father here, he could go too far,” she warned.

She looked tired and anxious.I didn’t like it.

“Tell me you’re not worried about me.” A pain lanced my dead heart, like a shot of electricity.

“Why not? It’s my fault you got caught. Why shouldn’t I feel bad about it?” she whispered, and her dark eyes met mine.

I stared at her, barely able to believe her words. Her guilt sat heavily in her tone, her worry and heartache peeling away any defenses I’d spent years building. I could safely say no one living in the world cared too much if I lived or died. No one worried for me. The world felt very quiet. For the first time in a very long time, the chaos that swirled inside me was still.

Her eyes bored into mine, and something moved between us at that moment. Something real. Feelings I had long since given up on. I thought for a maddening second that she was leaning in, like she might kiss me as I sat bound before her. A chaste kiss of an angel for a man destined for Hell. A benediction for a sinner like me. But she pulled back quickly as the sound of Carmella returning reached us.

Sofia grabbed the water bottle, remembering her task. “Here,” she offered, holding the bottle to my lips.

I couldn’t stop staring at her. It was like she had reached into my barren chest with her slender hand and taken my heart in her palm. Sure, I’d had her body, worked my way into her heart and mind, but being on the receiving end of her concern? It put her in a very exclusive club. The only other person to care if I lived or died was my mother, and I hadn’t been able to save her from the demons in her head.

Sofia was frowning at me. “Aren’t you thirsty?”

“Not for water.” My voice came out like gravel.

She picked up a piece of sandwich and held it to my lips.“If you bite me, you won’t get any more food,” she warned.

I grinned. “There’s only one place I want to bite you, and it’s not your fingers,” I reassured her.

I made sure to take the tips of her fingers into my mouth as I took the bite she was holding out for me. I brushed my tongue across her skin. She jerked.

“What? What’s he doing?” Carmella demanded, apparently finishing torturing my hands.

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