Page 53 of Catching His Runaway

He came after me, which means something. It means enough.

I can’t help but remember what my mother had said about Tommy being devoted to me. Maybe she knows more than I do. She thinks he could be more loyal to me than Santino. As hard as it is to believe, he risked his life forme.

“Your cheek is hot,” he murmurs as his fingers brush my skin as he presses the bandage on. “Make sure to keep a close eye on it in case it tries to get infected.”

It’s not just my cheeks, my entire face feels warm. The injury has nothing to do with it, all to be blamed on Tommy, himself.

As Tommy ignores the sandwich slid his way, he keeps his eyes on mine as he pulls his hands away. We stared at each other for a few passing seconds before his brows pinch together. Lowering his voice, he sighs. “You want out again, don’t you?”

Now isn’t the time for this conversation, but with the way he’s looking at me now, I know he needs an answer. He deserves the truth. “I never wanted to stay. Up until a few days ago, I wanted my problem solved and to return to my old life.”

Each day I spend with Tommy, I lose a piece of my old self. The carefree, stupid Valeria who got herself in this mess. The woman who didn’t mind being all alone.

The things I want now, it seems like it will be at the cost of my freedom.

If I stay with my family, what’s stopping me from falling back into my original role? Tommy and I are on entirely different levels. If he doesn’t love me, and I’m clinging on to feelings that will slowly die off, what will stop me from turning into a piece to be used in the future?

“Well, your problem is now solved.” Pulling back slightly, his hand moves to cup mine. It’s like he needs some form of contact as badly as I do.

Biting my lip, my brows pinched together. “I meant what I said earlier, Tommy. Leaving isn’t on the table. I’m yours, remember?”

As he nods, his hand finds my leg, and he gives it one squeeze before pulling away. Cleaning up his mess, he leaves it out for Urzo once he’s finished his shower.

* * *

By the time we make it back to the estate, I expect to see complete chaos. Instead, it’s rather eerie.

We don’t have to go hunting for my family. They’ve collected in a room that looks like it’s meant for meetings.

Santino is sitting at the head of the table, his thumb rubbing at the rings on his fingers. He looks annoyed despite Camellia rubbing his arm. Alle is on her lap with a marker in her hand as she colors.

As we step inside, Eliza jumps up to see Urzo. At the same time, my mother does the same when she sees me.

Not wanting her to exert herself, I meet her halfway so she can pepper my cheeks with kisses. Her eyes flickered with something I don’t ever see with her when she sees the bandages. Anger.

“I am okay,” I promise her softly, “Tommy took good care of me.”

She lifts her gaze to the man at my back, and a gentle smile replaces her expression as she moves to grab his hands. Squeezing them both, she thanks him.

As Santino moves to stand, he calls my name, motioning me to come.

My chest tightens at the look in his eye. Every time I look at him, I’m reminded of just how much he looks like our father. He’s always had a stern look on his face during the more stressful times.

So, what will it be? Will he scold me for bringing trouble the moment I step into the estate? For endangering those he loves?

Will he ask me to leave now that I have nothing keeping me here? Not that he has any idea of what’s been happening with me and one of his soldiers.

I never considered I’d be kicked out, funny enough. Now that it’s a possibility, it’s making my heart thunder in my chest.

Straightening my shoulders, I step toward him and keep my chin high, refusing to let it wobble.

If he wants to kick me out, then I won’t beg him to stay. Though I may be tempted to drop to my knees and plead until he lets me take Tommy with me. That’s something I’d beg for until my voice ran raw.

Reaching him, I try to find the words to say. An apology should come first. Maybe it’ll soften the blow.

“I’m sorry.”

I blink in confusion as he clamps one of his hands against my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “What?”

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