Page 33 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

“I have a painting to finish and you're going to keep me company.” I smirked at her awkward posture as I pulled the black mask back over my mouth and nose. Stepping around the corner, I dragged the canvas around to the living room and nestled it on the drop cloth against the wall.

“Gavinooo?” She playfully whined.

“Yes, baby?” I matched her tone, smirking.

“Do you think I can stay here with you for a while?”

I froze, opening my grip and the can of spray paint fell to the floor.

She yanked the blindfold over her head. “What’s wrong?”

I remained still, holding my breath, waiting for words to come to my head. I wanted to give her an answer. I wanted to shout,Yes! My heart wanted to be with her. I wanted every single part of her. My brain shouted,No! Her staying with me would make the war escalate. I was torn. I wanted to put an end to all of this. I wanted there to be peace.

I shook my head, holding my hand out toward her. She stood, creeping toward me with caution. Smirk painted on my face, I stepped forward, grabbing her wrist and yanking her against my body. Tilting my head, I studied her face. In some magical dreamland things with us would be perfect. My expression was serious, but I was holding back the pain I felt inside of me when I saw how this would end.

“Sofia, we have t—”

Her eyes filled with tears before I could finish. She knew exactly what I was thinking. We were meant for each other, but we were destined to be torn apart. A single tear rolled down her cheek. “I want to be with you no matter what happens to me, but I don't want anything to happen to you.”

“Well, I don't want anything to happen to you either.” Running my fingers through her hair, I gripped the back of her head, bringing her lips to mine for a small, gentle kiss.

RING!

The downstairs doorbell rang loudly through the firehouse. Groaning, I peeled myself away from her succulent lips. I trudged downstairs and peeked out the small peephole, seeing it was Joey. Opening the door, I stepped to the side. He dashed in quickly pushing by me. I closed the door and locked it.

“Gavino what the actual fuck?” He threw his arms out to the side.

Shaking my head, I lumbered to the stairs with Joey trailing behind.

“I know I left without letting you or Federico know, but I needed to get away.”

We reached the top of the staircase.

“Yeah but that threat towa—” He stopped the moment we stepped into the main living area. His gaze narrowed on Sofia. “—Toward her father.”

I exhaled in annoyance and marched to Sofia, taking a protective stance at her side. Crossing my arms over my chest, I glared at Joey. Though he was my best friend, and I knew he would not hurt her, I still felt the need to place myself closer to her in case I needed to guard her.

Joey’s eyes were filled with both confusion and anger.

“What threat to her father?” It dawned on me what he had said when we entered the room. I lifted my hand, rolling my bottom lip between my fingers. My expression softened a bit.

Sofia’s mouth fell agape. She spun to me, rage painted her face. “You threatened my dad?”

“What?” Shaking my head, I curled my lip in disgust. “No, of course not!” I snapped at both her and Joey, darting my eyes back and forth between them.

Joey sighed. “Gavino, I have a bad feeling about this.”

Sofia backed toward the couch and fell back on the middle cushion. I paced the room, wondering the depth of the shit I had gotten myself into. I twisted to Joey who was staring blankly at his phone.

“What?” I questioned with great hesitation.

He slipped his phone back in his pocket and brought his hand to his chin, glancing back and forth at both Sofia and me. Finally, his eyes came to a stop on me. “Your father wants to see you now.”

I sighed and threw my hands in the air. “Does he think I threatened her dad too?”

He shrugged, lifting his shoulder slightly.

“Why would people think that?” Sofia stood, gripping her hips and glaring at Joey.

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