Page 10 of Valentino

“I’ll be right back,” I tell her, dashing to my room to grab another shirt. “Here.” I hold the shirt open above her head, and she understands, lifting her arms so I can slide the shirt over her gorgeous body.

“Thank you,” she murmurs, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. “For everything. I don’t know what would have happened if someone else found me.”

I grit my teeth, not liking the thought of that one bit. If it were someone else, she would be in a world of trouble.

“You’re here now, that’s all that matters.” Another small smile graces her lips. I want to taste it, but that’s so far beyond inappropriate for so many reasons. “Can I help you back to bed? Or do you want some water? A snack?”

Her head perks up, those damn eyes sparkling in a way that makes my chest tight. “Do you have hot chocolate?”

“Do I look like someone who has hot chocolate on hand?”

This earns me a quiet laugh and a shake of her head. “No, I suppose not,” she says with a smile. “I’ll be fine. Thank you again.”

I don’t know what to say to her, so I just offer my hand. She stands, and I lead her across the hall to her room, peeling back the covers so she can climb in. Once settled, I cover her with the blankets, tucking in the precious, strong, gorgeous princess.

I’m about to leave her when the question that’s been burning in my mind all night comes spilling out without my permission.

“What was your nightmare about?”

Katya’s eyes dim as she curls in on herself.

“Most of the time, it’s flashes of conversations I’ve had with my father. His biting words take physical form and litter my skin with bruises. Sometimes he leaves me to bleed out in his office. Sometimes he carries my body to the river and tosses me in. Tonight…” She trails off, squeezing her eyes shut. “Tonight, he shot me in the face.”

“Katya,” I whisper, my hand finding hers beneath the blankets. “I will never let that happen,” I vow.

“But how–”

“Never,” I repeat. “You said you trusted me earlier. Is that still true?” She nods her head. “Then get some rest, princess.”

I’m rewarded by a shy smile, that blush creeping into her cheeks once more. Only this time, I hope it’s because she feels cared for and not ashamed.

“Goodnight, Valentino.”

“Goodnight, Katya.”

I step out of her room and shut the door, leaning against it.

What the fuck am I going to do now?

CHAPTERFOUR

KATYA

I’ve been awake for a while now, but I can’t bring myself to get out of bed. Not yet. It’s so soft and warm, and after three nights of sleeping on cement floors and hiding in crates, this mattress feels heavenly.

Rolling onto my back, memories of last night slowly rise to the surface. I was sound asleep, more at peace than I can ever remember, and then…

Oh, God.I had a nightmare.

Every muscle in my body tenses as the horrifying image of my father pulling a gun on me flashes across my mind. I remember crying out for someone, anyone, to help. It’s never worked before, but this time, Valentino answered my call.

I cover my face with my hands, the embarrassment of being weak in front of Valentino too much to bear. He didn’t make me feel fragile or silly for having a nightmare. In fact, the puzzling man held me in his arms and whispered surprisingly sweet things to me until I could breathe again.

More moments from our interaction last night bubble up, each one more vulnerable than the last. Valentino saw more of me than any man ever has, and what’s more, he called mebeautiful. Me. I don’t think anyone has ever said that to me. Certainly not my parents.

My father never spared me a glance unless I could be a useful pawn in his latest scheme. His compliments always came with a bite.Your dress is lovely. It would be even better if you dropped twenty pounds.Or the classic,You’d be so pretty if you smiled, Katya.

My mother isn’t much better. She started putting me on diets when I was eleven to “lose the baby fat.” By the time I was in my teens, dear ol’ Mom made a habit of making me stand in front of the mirror while she pointed out my “problem areas” and pinched the extra skin on my arms and waist.

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