Page 50 of Cold

Vito didn’t even bother turning over to look at me while I asked and that did something to me. Did he have enough trust that I wouldn’t hurt him? Or did he not care if I jammed a knife into his back?

“I don’t know,” I said to answer the first question. “But I wouldn’t hurt you. I can’t!” I sniffled and wiped my hand across my cheeks. “Not anymore.”

“Did you care about Sergei?”

My heart raced. “I love him.”

“No, you don’t,” he said as he rolled over and propped himself up on his elbows. “He brainwashed you into thinking that you loved him, but think about it. Do you really, Romare? Does he make you feel safe and happy? When he’s around, are you a better version of yourself?” He sat up completely and touched my cheek. “Because that’s how I feel when I’m with you.”

I grabbed onto Vito as the tears spilled. All of the bad flooded back when he asked those simple questions and I knew that he was right. Being pushed around, abused, hurt? None of that was love. What I had for Sergei? It was a hell of a lot closer to fear. No, I was terrified of him. Faking love had been my only way out.

When did I start to think that it was real?

“I’m so confused,” I cried as I hiccuped and wiped my face roughly.

“Shhh, it’s okay,” Vito said as he pulled me into his lap. “No one expects you to be perfect. And I would never expect you to be okay after everything you’ve gone through. It’s clearly not the first time he’s made you kill, is it?”

I shook my head. “No,” I whispered. “And once I started…”

“It’s been hard to stop. Not that you’ve had a choice,” he sighed. “I know men like Sergei. They manipulate and toy with people who are weaker than them for fun.” He tilted my head up. “He took you at such a young age, I’m not surprised that he left you reeling with all the bullshit he pumped into your ears.”

My stomach twisted. I didn’t want to remember those early days. Being locked inside of rooms with no windows, the scraps of food that were tossed to me, the endless beatings. All of it compiled until I had no choice but to give in and be Sergei’s good little toy.

I didn’t want to be that anymore.

“I’m sorry,” I choked out. “I don’t want to go back to him. I can’t, Vito!”

“Shhh,” he whispered and wrapped his arms around me. “I know. And you’re not going anywhere. I will never get rid of you. I love you too much.”

My heart pounded in my chest. He loved me? I felt like no one had loved me since I was a child. But when I closed my eyes and thought of Vito, all I could see was someone who cared about me. He went out of his way to make me happy, he was always worried about me, and he protected me from the world.

Vito Bianchi was where I was supposed to be. I might be a crazy, messed-up person, but he didn’t even seem to care. And I adored him for it.

“I think I love you too,” I whispered, my breath a shudder as I clung to him.

“We’ll have time to figure it out,” he said. “Besides, I was never going to let you get away from me anyway. You’re mine, Romare.”

Heat coursed through my body and I smiled softly. I was his. Those words sparked joy throughout my body and I cried all over again from happiness. I’d just known that the minute I confessed to him about this he would throw me aside and want nothing more to do with me.

But Vito kept me locked in his arms, his nose buried into my hair as he breathed in the scent of my shampoo like he always did. He must not have realized I knew what he was doing, but I caught him all the time.

My heart raced and I thanked everything that I would get to keep Vito. But where did that leave me with Sergei? I swept the thought away. I only wanted to focus on the good right now.

“Can we go swimming now?” I asked.

Vito scooped me up into his arms and bounced me up into the air to adjust me. I shrieked and he kissed me hard. When he pulled back, the smile on his lips made me get all warm inside. I knew I’d made the right choice.

“Swimming first and then we eat,” he grunted.

Vito ran toward the water with me in his arms. As soon as we were far enough out, he tossed me into the water and I plunged beneath the waves. I swam back up to the surface and glared at him.

“That was mean!”

“You loved it,” he teased. “Come on, you want revenge? Come catch me.”

Vito dove into the water and took off. I stared at him, my mouth falling open at how fast he was.

“That’s not fair! You’re like a million times bigger than me,” I huffed. “But I’ll still get you!”

I chased after my Daddy until he let me catch him. When he came after me, I knew he let me get away. But I didn’t care. The words he said lingered in my head.

I love you.

Three little words and I was ready to paint the world red for him.

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