Page 31 of Massimo

I havemanyquestions. Such as how did I get into these gloriously comfy pajamas?

Vague, hazy memories push in of warm water surrounding me, resting against something solid, wrapped in what felt like arms of safety.

My eyes fly to his, my face heating. "Did you bathe me?" He nods. "Did you bathe with me?"

My hard-learned lesson of staying silent until spoken to has completely flown out the window, but I can't seem to stop myself.

He runs his thumb over his bottom lip. "I couldn't let you drown, princess."

He's still calling me princess. But the intonation is entirely different from when he had called me that before, and different than anyone else. Now, Massimo says it like a caress.

This is another test.

He's still trying to break me. Find out my secrets. Crack me open to prove I'm as horrible as my father.

I'm still an idiot.

Gullible.

Fool.

Weak.

STUPID.

I almost fell for his games.

I'm still Massimo's pawn and his tool of revenge against my father.

I'm still being tested, and I'm still learning hard-learned lessons.

But Iamlearning. With every interaction with Massimo, I'm learning how to adapt and navigate in order to survive the new monster in my world.

I lower my lashes. When I start to lower my chin, he gently catches it and lifts it so I face him.

"No more, princess," he rasps and shakes his head. "You don't have to hide from me. Show me your fight, Nova. It's safe to do that with me."

Lies. Lies.

I wonder if this is how my mother had gotten sucked in by my father. As a young girl, I could sense that she loved him, even though he was a horrible man.

Did my father draw her in with sweet words and gentle touches? Then, when he had her, he showed her his true colors?

However, I disregard that possibility, because my father doesn't have it in him to be kind and gentle, even if it's a ploy to get what he wants. He just takes and destroys.

So that meant my motherwillinglyloved him. And he killed her.

How utterly tragic.

"Nova." Massimo's thumb runs along my jaw as he stares into my eyes like he's trying to see into my soul.

I don't dare pull away from his touch.

Okay, I don't entirelywantto pull away from his touch, but I'll ruminate on that later.

I don't pull away from him, but I protect myself the best way I've learned how. I reinforce the walls to keep my inner thoughts from my face. I slap on my perfected princess mask and soften my shoulders so I appear pliant and submissive.

"Nova." My name sounds pained when he says its. "I understand that I'll have to prove myself to you after what I've done. For what it's worth, I truly am sorry."

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