Salvario is tricking him.
Poor Bruno.
I bend down and pick up Rosie, then press kisses to Bruno’s head.
“I’m sorry, baby.”
Salvario opens the door, and we all step out. Three of my bodyguards are seated just outside the apartment.
We walk toward the elevator. My bodyguards and I step inside. Salvario crouches slowly beside Bruno, gripping his collar. His eyes lock onto mine—the longing in them pierces straight through me.
Bruno barks at him, then turns and barks at me as the elevator doors begin to close.
It would take a heart of steel not to break down when they both behave this way.
The doors slide shut,locking me away from them.
Chapter 35
Elowen
“It’s ten thirty. What were you doing at some unknown man’s house for this long?”Mom’s voice comes from behind me.
I stop at the foot of the stairs and turn slowly to face her. I just hope nothing about me screams that I’ve just lost my virginity.
“And you say you’re not helicopter parents.” I smirk.
She steps closer, grabs my chin, and turns my head left and right, humming. Then she releases me, steps back, andlooks me over.
I chuckle. “What are you doing, Mom?”
“Did you have sex with him?”
I shake my head, keeping it natural. “Absolutely not.”
“We’re concerned, Weni. You were in love with someone else three days ago, then you met someone yesterday, and today you went to his house.” She cups my cheek. “We’re worried you’ll do something you’ll regret later.”
“I won’t regret anything. And about my feelings for my kidnapper—it was just Stockholm syndrome. I didn’t realize it then, but now I do, after meeting Jonathan. It might sound bizarre that my feelings have changed so quickly in two days, but it’s true.” I deliver the nonsense with a face full of seriousness, hoping to fool my mother.
“With Jonathan, it feels so natural, like we were fated to be together. I don’t know what my exact emotions are yet; it’s too early to conclude anything. But I want to give whatever we could have a fair chance.”
She sighs. “Alright, if you say so.”
She takes Rosie from my arms.
“Come with me. Your father wants to see you.”
I follow her to their bedroom. Dad is on the couch, tablet in hand. When we enter, he sets it down, along with his glasses—the ones that make him look even more handsome.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to scold me for breaking the first curfew of my life.” I sit beside him and hug him.
He pats my head. “You know I can’t do that.”
I chuckle.
“I need to talk to that man.”
I pull away quickly. “About what?”
