Page 233 of Hate Mates

I'm in danger. The past and the awkwardness of our reunion have to wait. Right now, I have no choice but to trust him.

In one night, I became a pawn in a mafia war and was reunited with the man who broke my heart.

"Okay."

Chapter Three

CRISTIANO

The safe house comes into view after a two-hour drive through the darkened countryside.

Two hours of tense silence broken only by necessary conversation.

Two hours of stealing glances at Piper's profile when she stares out the window.

Two hours of my knuckles white on the steering wheel, fighting the urge to reach across the console and touch her, just to confirm she's real.

Since I couldn’t do that I took advantage of those moments I looked at her and memorized the beautiful changes in her face and body that six years have carved.

I’m just as ruthless and merciless as the men in my family and those in the underworld, but Piper has always been the exception to my rules. She was the one thing in my world that made me human and gave me use of my heart.

Leaving her the way I did and staying away for all those years felt like tearing my heart out of my chest and ripping it to pieces. And this isn’t how I imagined us reuniting, with her traumatizedafter nearly being killed and her sister missing, sold in the flesh trade.

I pull up to the lakefront cabin nestled among towering pines and cut the engine. The silence that follows feels deafening.

"We're here," I say, my voice piercing the silence.

Piper scans the isolated property. "It’s beautiful.”

The cabin is beautiful, but I can tell from the faraway tone of her voice that the compliment is just something to say.

"You’ll be safe here."

“Thanks.” She glances at me and nods with more gratitude.

I step out and circle around to open her door, an old habit she used to tease me about.

She hesitates before accepting my outstretched hand. The brief contact sends electricity racing up my arm. Six years, and my body still recognizes hers like no time has passed at all.

I continue stealing glances at her as I lead her into the cabin. The place is well-equipped with a living area that has a stone fireplace, a small kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. All the essentials for lying low.

Piper stands in the center of the living room, arms wrapped around herself, looking lost and exhausted. My chest tightens at the sight of her.

"There's a shower through there," I tell her, gesturing to the hallway. "Towels in the cabinet. I'll get a fire going and make something for us to eat."

She looks at me, really looks at me. "You cook now?"

A small, genuine smile tugs at my lips. "I picked up a few things in Italy. Nonna made sure I didn't starve."

The ghost of a smile crosses her face. "She always threatened to fatten you up."

Instantly I remember her meeting my grandmother during spring break of my freshman year, Nonna immediately declared Piper too skinny and proceeded to feed her every Italian dishimaginable. It was the first time I'd seen Piper truly relax around a member of my family, laughing as my grandmother fussed over her.

Piper wasn't like that with my parents—or rather, they weren't like that with her. They always wanted me to be with someone from our world. They still do, especially because I'll be taking over the business next year when my father retires. Like always, I refused to be with anyone who wasn't Piper.

"Go shower," I say softly. "You'll feel better."

“Okay, thanks.” She nods and disappears down the hallway. Moments later, I hear the water running.

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