Page 104 of Brutal Legacy

“Don’t say that,” I snapped at him, my temper flaring even as my heart dropped.

He gave me a sidelong glance. “Why not? It’s the truth. You already mourned the husband you really wanted, the one you chose, so I don’t think you’ll shed many tears for me.”

“Elio,” I started.

But he was turning away.

“There’s the pizza place. I’m not taking the cuffs off, so eat one-handed or don’t eat at all… Be the talk of the town, it doesn’t bother me.”

We crossed the street, the moment in front of the shop lost. My heart felt like it was being tossed in turbulent seas, and my chest was an ocean of regret and confusion, and terrible, cutting longing. Longing so deep I felt it down to my very bedrock.

The pizza place was authentic and smelled delicious. It was standing room only. Elio battled to the front, letting his arm trail back so I could stay out of the fray, and managed to order, pay, and carry two bendy paper plates with slices. We sat outside on the curb, surrounded by others doing the same. There were teenagers messing around with friends, and some couples kissing. The pizza place sat in a small square, and there was even a fountain in the middle. On that sunny evening, we could have been in Naples.

A family of three passed by us, and the little girl in the stroller dropped her toy giraffe. The mom stopped pushing the stroller,and the dad jogged back for the toy. He handed it to his daughter and threaded his hand through his wife’s. They beamed at each other.

Such simple, honest happiness. A display of richness that money couldn’t buy.

I watched them until they disappeared around the street corner, and then I turned to find Elio watching my handcuffed wrist. The skin had turned pink and irritated underneath.

He sighed. “Promise me you won’t run off and I’ll remove it.”

I considered his words. Running away wasn’t even on my horizon right now. I was too intrigued by figuring out what had happened in his past to go anywhere.

I held out my pinkie to him. “Okay, but you have to make me a promise, too. You have to swear it.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What promise?”

“You won’t play that game again.”

He jerked like I’d slapped him. His pale-green eyes fastened on me, demanding somehow. “Why do you care? I told you, it’s the best-case scenario for you.”

I shook my head. “I need protection, so I need you. I can’t risk you leaving me alone in a den of wolves. You brought me here. You’re responsible for me.”

He stared at me so long, my hand wavered in the air between us.

“Are you asking me to save you, Georgia?” His deep voice made me shiver. No one did pure, unbridled power like him.

“Hmm, maybe the second time is the charm,” I quipped and wriggled my pinkie. “Swear, and I promise not to run away.”

Slowly, he brought his pinkie to fasten around mine.

“Deal.”

After freeing my hand, he turned back to his pizza.

I’d devoured my pizza, even faster than he’d eaten his. Now, I wiped at the grease around my mouth, suddenly self-conscious. My cheeks felt hot. I was suffering through a second adolescence around this man, and it wasn’t any easier than the first one. Only he could ruffle me like this.

He reached out and rubbed the corner of my mouth with a tissue. I found myself holding my breath.

He dropped his hand.

“We better get home.” He helped me to stand, which turned out to be a good thing because my legs had fallen asleep at the curb.

I groaned at the leg pain and the thought of going back to Casa Nera.

“Is it too much to hope that that place burned to the ground while we were out?” I complained.

Elio just smirked faintly. “Let’s go and see, shall we?”

---