Page 13 of Cold

"And stop apologizing," he growled.

"Sor-" I quickly swallowed the rest of the word and tugged at my bottom lip.

Vito pulled my lip from between my fingers. "Stop it. You're going to make yourself bleed." He sighed and moved back to his seat. "Let Tom measure you and you can pick out some clothes too. If you want."

Why was he being nice to me? He was so closed off the night before and even now, there was a wall up. But Vito was...different. I watched every movement he made and forced down the part of myself that wanted to be intimidated. I didn't have time for that.

I went through the motions with Tom until he put away his measuring tape and closed his case. "All done," he proclaimed. "Now, let's see what I have in my shop. Some pieces will take a few days for me to create, but I have a lot of help and I can rush the order." He gazed over at Vito. "For the right price."

Vito grumbled as he dug out his wallet. He took out a black card and tossed it onto the coffee table. Tom picked it up and then patted the seat next to him.

"Come have a look."

I sat beside him as he pulled out a laptop and opened up a website. The internet. I peered over his shoulder curiously. It had been ages since I'd been online. Sergei said it was poison and I didn't need it, but something in me ached to have that freedom again.

"You alright, darling?" Tom asked.

I blinked and nodded. "Yes," I mumbled as I wiped at my eyes. "I um..."

How could I explain that my brain had gone off on a journey all on its own? And that I had no idea why I'd started crying?

Tom patted my knee. "Come on, shopping always makes me feel better," he said.

Vito stood up. "You can help him pick out new clothes, but stop touching him."

"Why?" Tom asked. "Afraid I'll steal him away?"

"No. I think he's been through enough shit without a pervert droolin' all over him like an idiot."

I stifled my laugh and hid the grin on my lips behind my hand. The two of them bickered like an old married couple. Tom winked at me and a snicker slipped free.

"You wound me, Vito," Tom sighed. "I have nothing but the purest intentions."

"I swear I'll pull your tongue out this time."

They went back and forth while I hugged Mr. Whiskers to my chest and smiled. I reached up and touched my lips. How long had it been since I smiled? There were times of course when I did; life with the Ivanov's wasn't all bad. But it felt like it had been ages since I could smile so easily.

* * *

I couldn't stop staring at Vito. He was strange. So far we'd been in his place for over twenty-four hours and he hadn't hit me once. Sure, he was grumpy and demanding, but it never escalated. I was positive that all mafia men were violent, but Vito was just...cranky.

"If you keep staring at me I'm going to make you go back to your room," Vito said as he flipped through more channels. He'd been doing that for a good ten minutes. "Romare," he growled.

"Sorry!"

I averted my gaze when he glared at me. Right, I wasn't supposed to say I was sorry so much. I buried my face in Mr. Whiskers and stared at the TV. But as soon as he went back to watching the screen, I peered at him again.

From the salt and pepper hair, I could tell he was an older man. But even without that, I could see the lines on his face. I wonder how old he is? He looked lean, but the t-shirt that he wore showed off muscular arms. How does the rest of him look?

The thought made my cheeks heat up. Vito was turning me into a basket case. I'd never shown attraction to anyone since I was a teenager, but with him? Something about the man made me stare a little too long, and made me want to get to know him.

Don't get attached. Mission, remember? Focus.

"Romare."

My head snapped up and I looked expectantly at Vito. "Yes?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

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