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“I’m… I’m gross. I’ll make everything gross,” she whispers.
Jesus, this girl. She’s ripping my heart out with every word. I need to find whoever has her so scared, filled her head with lies, and put their hands on her. Once I have a name, I’ll make it my mission to erase them from the face of the earth.
However, Allegra doesn’t need that energy from me right now, so I rein it in and focus on the angel before me.
“You’re not gross, Allegra. But I understand if you want to rinse the day off. Can I show you your room? It has a bathroom.”
She nods, looking up at me with wide, blue eyes. I hold out my hand, loving how Allegra automatically takes it, wrapping her soft fingers around mine.
“You saw the kitchen already,” I tell her, nodding in that direction as we stride past the couch and fireplace. “And the living room,” I gesture around us. “There’s a gym downstairs and a theater if you’re into movies.”
“You have a theater?” she whispers in bewilderment.
I pause the tour, grinning down at her. “I may have gone a little overboard when I moved in,” I admit sheepishly. “I missed out on movies and TV when I was growing up, so I promised myself that when I made it to the top, I’d build a home theater where I could watch anything I wanted. I even have a legit popcorn machine with the butter sauce and everything.”
“Really?” Allegra’s eyes sparkle with excitement, and I swear to Christ, my heart stops beating in my chest. She’s exquisite. Breathtaking. And when she smiles at me, I’m ready to drop to one knee and demand she be mine forever.
I’m out of my damn mind. I know this. But when it comes to Allegra, I don’t seem to give a single fuck. I’ll need to take it slow with her. She’s fragile right now, and the last thing I want is for her to think I’m a creep who only wants one thing from her.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. I wanteverythingfrom this girl, and I’ll give her all of me in return.
“Really,” I finally answer. “I also have connections with movie studios and can get almost any film sent to me. Even ones not in theaters yet.” Am I bragging? A little. I found something my girl is interested in, so hell, yeah, I’m going to go all in.
“What do you do for a living?” she asks. “I mean, you have a beautiful home, a driver, and a theater. You must do well for yourself.”
“I, uh…”Shit. How can I tell the traumatized angel I beat people up for a living? For the Mafia, no less. She’ll think I’m a monster. Hell, Iama monster, but I would never hurt her. The thought of harming her makes my stomach churn and acid crawl up my throat.
“Never mind. It’s none of my business. I’m sorry. God, that was so rude of me…” Allegra trails off, pulling her hand from mine so she can wrap her arms around her torso.
I hate seeing her like this, and I hate even more that I caused her discomfort. “There’s nothing to apologize for,” I assure her. “It’s true I do well for myself. And I don’t mind sharing the spoils.”
I give her a wink, which earns me the tiniest smile. I’ll take it. I know I need to tell her about my profession eventually, but I hope to have more time to show her I’m more than my job.
I take Allegra’s hand again and guide her upstairs to the second room on the right. Opening the door, I step aside to let Allegra look around. She’s immediately drawn to the bed, her fingers sliding over the sheets and pillow as if they are the softest things she’s ever felt.
My heart clenches in my chest, thinking about where she came from. Did she not have a bed? Blankets? Pillows?
Taking a deep breath, I make a concerted effort to unclench my fists. There will be time to ask questions later. Right now, my woman needs a warm shower, a warm meal, and a warm bed.
“The bathroom is straight through there,” I say, pointing to the open door on the east side of the room. “I’ll set some clean clothes right outside your door. Take as much time as you need, angel.”
Her cheeks flush a gorgeous shade of pink, and it takes everything in me not to pull her into my arms and kiss her. I’ve never had these intense feelings about anyone before, but I’m not afraid of them. Everything in my life is all or nothing, so it makes sense that love would be the same way.
Holy shit.Love.
“Thank you,” Allegra murmurs. “For everything. I still don’t know why you’re being so kind to me. I’m not worth it.”
“It kills me to hear you say that. One day you’ll see what I see.”
Blue eyes latch onto mine, filled with questions. “What do you see?”
“A warrior who has been through hell and back, yet wakes up every day ready to do battle again. That’s strength, Allegra. Resilience. I see a woman who has fought for every breath in her lungs and still manages a sweet smile. That’s character. Kindness. Selflessness.”
“Armando…”
“I know, I know, I’m coming on way too strong. I just–”
“Thank you,” she cuts me off, wiping away a tear. “I didn’t… I didn’t know I needed to hear that. I don’t believe everything you said, but I want to live up to that person you described. She sounds incredible.”
