Page 91 of A New Days Don

“That’s him…” She whispers, looking back over to the man behind the desk, “He… He was my doctor that night…”

My entire body becomes tense as I glare at the man who saw Mila at her worst. The one who was supposed to help Mila but left her with more questions than answers. My fists clench into a tight ball, the muscles straining and screaming for me to release.

When my gaze connects back with Mila, her body is tense, and her eyes are unseeing as if she is having an internal argument with herself.

“Do you want to speak with him?” I ask. She shrugs.

“I was kicked off the case today,” she murmurs, and it takes me less than a second to connect that with the sex workers.

“Okay,” I nod, pausing as we stare at the unsuspecting doctor, “Do you still want to go speak with him?”

Mila raises one of her perfectly manicured eyebrows, and I chuckle, “We both know you aren’t going to let this case go. You may want to follow the law, but those women need someone competent, and you are the only person in that department who can give them the justice they deserve.”

“How do you know it isn’t for my own selfish reasons to find my rapist?” Her head tilts.

“Perhaps… But that isn’t the driving force that’s consuming you. You have a heart of gold. This world treated you poorly, yet you stood up, dusted yourself off, and curtsied right in its face like the grandest F U. It had no right to try and take your shine away, but I can see it in every little thing you do, that it was unsuccessful.” I admit, and her eyes begin to well with tears.

I gently brush them, collecting the salty drops and whispering, “Don’t cry, beautiful. Whatever you want to do, I will be right behind you.”

Her mouth opens and closes like it always does when she isn’t sure what to say. Then she’s up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to mine again. All of the words she has left unsaid pour into her kiss, and I devour each and every one. I lean down, so she doesn’t have to strain and hold her steady. Moving my lips with hers before she pulls back, her doe eyes glossy and so fucking delicious.

“Thank you.” She whispers.

Fuck, I’m so in love with this woman it hurts a little bit.

Chapter 37

Mila

I love you, Mila.

His words echo through my mind. I was delirious with the amount of blood I was losing when he said those words, but they have been ringing in my mind as he slowly guided me out of the emergency room and toward the main entrance to the hospital.

I have never been loved before. I have never loved someone else before. Not in this way.

I have my parents and Karmin, but their love has always been familial. It has never felt so fragile or vulnerable, in the way Massimo loves me. A love that goes so deep it could kill a person if it was ripped away from them.

His coffee-coloured eyes are so soft, as if he has found his home and never wants to leave. It makes my heartbeat slow and hard in my chest, each thud making me breathless.

I have no doubt in my mind that he means every word that he says. Massimo doesn’t seem like the kind of man to waste time on little lies to save someone’s feelings.

Whatever you want to do, I’ll be right behind you.

He didn’t say, ‘I will take care of it,’ nor ‘let’s get out of here.’ He didn’t say something to make me feel more insecure about myself or the situation, so I would second-guess myself and run out of here.

“I don’t want to let my anxiety and panic control my life anymore,” I tell him, and he smiles down at me, brushing some of my loose hair out of my face.

“You look fierce with your hair down. So wild and free.” Massimo murmurs.

“I haven’t worn it down since I went out to the bar with Karmin on my twenty-first birthday.” I confess, a sheepish smile pulling on my lips, “But… I kind of like it.”

A devilish smirk plays on Massimo’s lips, “C’mon, angel, let’s get this over with so I can get you back in my bed.”

My gaze flicks over my shoulder to Dr. Mitch Alverez, who is now scrolling through his phone. When I look back at Massimo, he has completely transformed into his cold alter ego. His eyes glare menacingly at the doctor.

“Okay,” I nod, more to myself than to Massimo. My hands tremble as I strut up to the door, all the confidence Massimo had filled me with earlier, slowly dissipating into raw powerlessness. Massimo never pushes me or steps ahead of me. Instead, he simply reminds me that I’m not alone, and it feels so fucking good to not be alone anymore.

Anymore.