Page 37 of Little Sparrow

“Tell me something you love about yourself.” I ask her, needing her to feel good about something, the rough sex and her being trapped here, she needs anything.

“What?” She tilts her head and stares at me.

“You heard me, tell me something you love about yourself.” I shrug and lean back.

Her eyes search mine as she thinks, “I love my artistic skills. It’s one thing I got to keep from my old life. Everything is in the library.” She gives me a small smile and lets out a breath.

“Good, I’d love to see them sometime, see what goes on in your mind.” I never told her I found her old sketchbook when I searched for her, it seemed like a personal thing of hers. Maybe one day I’ll give it back.

I want to hold her all night but I can’t ever stay too long without suspicion. My father caught a succubus before and she’s dead. I can’t have the same happen to Rose. He needs her for now, but what happens when he's done? I can't risk her.

“I can’t stay, Gabriele will be outside your room. It’s to keep my father away. After what we did, he will be angry for a while.” I hate leaving her, especially when she’s so vulnerable. Her shoulders curl in, but then she straightens with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.

Chapter forty

Rose

Isitinthelibrary by my favourite window with the best light as I sketch me and Dante from our nights together, it’s midday so it’s a good time for the light to enter the window. Every night that he comes to me, makes me feel special. I’ve almost given myself to him completely. The only thing he doesn’t have fully, is my heart. Not because I don’t want him to have it, but because I’m scared he won’t accept it.

“It’s time for lunch, Miss.” Gabriele says from the doorway, I turn my head to look at the clock, time has flown by, I have been sitting here hours. Closing my sketchpad with a sigh, I slide it back into a shelf hidden with my favourite books.

“Am I having dinner alone in my room tonight?” I ask, his lips thin and I’m immediately concerned. “No, you will be with Capo Barelli and a guest.” I swallow, this doesn’t sound good.

“Why?” I ask again, fear consumes me. Thoughts run riot in my head.Does he know? Did he hurt anyone? Is Dante okay?

“I’m not sure. Dante had been called away.” Gabriele doesn’t look me in the eye, he has always been so friendly to me. I’m immediately on alert, but I just know I need to calm down my breathing, I’m sure it’s nothing.

“Do I know this guest?” I question, keeping my voice steady.

“I don’t think so, but Capo has picked a dress from you. It’s white.” I freeze, my eyes find him. I’m not sure if he knows the significance of white for me, but I had promised myself never to wear white again.Leo must know it’s a weakness.

Gabriele reaches out to hold my hand, pulling me away from the shelves. “You have to go. Leo will start asking questions and anything with you. And Dante, he should be there. I don’t have a good feeling about this. Stay on alert, okay?”

I take a deep breath, and my head moves up and down. “Well, we haven’t been discreet. Have you heard anything?”

Gabriele shakes his head and guides me out of the library. We both stay silent. I’m deep in thought, not wanting to put on the dress but also not wanting Leo to think I’m weak and can’t handle a simple, stupid white dress.

Just breathe, I keep telling myself as I take slow steps up into my room.

“Don’t you look beautiful,” Leo tells me as I descend the stairs, I try not to bristle, but the slight squint of his eyes tells me I didn’t hide it well enough. I clench my jaw and force out a thank you. Leo holds out his arm and raises his eyebrows, I think he's waiting for me to loop my arm through his. Not wanting to raise any suspicions, I need to act the same way I have always done. Mask my expressions and numb myself to everything.

He guides me into the dining room, where a familiar man stands, waiting for me with a grin so wide it makes me uncomfortable. “Rose, this is Riccardo. He has been staying with us recently in one of the guest houses. He wanted to meet you personally.”

I fist the fabric of the dress, but I need to remember my manners, “Hello Riccardo.” That’s all I will give them right now. I’m guided to my seat, next to Leo and opposite the old man. Something doesn’t feel right.

“You can call me Ricc if you like,” he licks his lips and I try to hide my cringe, it must not work because Leo grips my arm with a tight smile. Giving me a warning look. I glare right back.

“We will cut to the chase. Ricc here wants to run some simple tests on you. I know I said to stay a virgin but we both agree that he can touch you in other ways, see how your power reacts to it. I trust him not to hurt you.”

My jaw drops “What the fuck..” I mumble. Leo slams his hand down on the table, “Don’t use that language in my house. It’s not ladylike.”

“I’m not letting you whore me out,” I shout, my chair flies back as I stand. The fire burns through my veins as my fists clench. I slam one down on the table, staring Ricc straight in his eyes, meaning every single word I say. “I swear, if you ever touch me, I’ll send you straight to Hell.”

Leo stands and grabs my jaw, his face red as he looms over me. “Listen here, I have given you everything you have ever wanted in the last two years, this is the least you could do. I won’t let you betray me.” He is like a brick wall but I manage to force myself from his grip.

“Are you shitting me! Ikillpeople for you. Kill. Something you haven’t done yours-” He cuts me off with another backhand to the face, I raise my hand to my cheek. His rings cut me again. I take a deep breath to hide my trembling.

“Goodnight Ricc, I would say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but it wasn’t,” I say with false bravado and I rush out of that room like my life depended on it, which right now, probably does. My heart is almost beating out my chest. Eyes burning with the threat of tears. I hold myself together until I get to my room and scream into my pillow to ease this frustration. How dare they do this.

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