“Dad didn’t want me to go because he thinks it’s unsafe. You don’t want me to go because of your trauma. Dad’s concern has a solution, that’s why I argued.”
My hand slides up her back, into her hair. I tug her forward and crush my mouth to hers.
Her hand moves from my cheek to my hair. She kisses me back with the same intensity.
I pull back and hold her face. “Let’s go there together.”
Her eyes widen. “But you just said—”
I kiss her again, not letting her finish.
“I want to fight it.”
Once the boy is gone, nothing will tie me to those memories anymore. I’ll be able to forget. And she’ll be there to help me.
She grins, cradling my face in both hands. “And you’ll win.”
Her mouth finds mine again.
Yes. I will win.
I’ll live with her however she wants. Even if she chooses to spend the rest of her life in Naples—undoing everything I did—I’ll stay. I’ll watch her breathe life into the ashes of yet another place.
Chapter 48
Elowen
My fingers stall on the keys again.
“What’s wrong?” His voice is soft, right at my ear.
We’re in my bed. Salvario against the headboard, me against his chest, his arms wrapped around me while I try to play my keyboard. But it’s not working. I can’t focus.
My chest is too tight. I can’t get the music out.
I set the keyboard down next to Rosie. She lifts her head, eyes the keys, then pressesa few with her paw.
I turn into him, pressing my side against his chest. His arm tightens around my back. His face is serious, watching my sadness.
I press my hand to his chest.
“Take me with you. Or stay. I won’t let anything happen to you. My dad’s not unreasonable, he’d understand if he met you.”
My eyes fill with tears. “Please, Salvario.”
He presses my face to his chest. My sobs break free, wetting his chest with tears.
He’s leaving tonight. And it’s already crushing me.
“Just give me a month. I promise I’ll make it right. Can you do that?”
I swallow the last of my tears and meet his eyes.
“What will you do?”
His face goes hard. “I can’t tell you, Princess. You have to trust me, it’s the only way I get to keep you.”
“Why can’t you tell me?”
