“You don’t trust me.”
“Trust is earned.”
“You’re still breathing.”
“I got shot.”
“Not by me. Come on, Arika. Live on the dangerous side.”
“This is crazy.” Even as she said it she got to her feet and made her way over to the wall.
Hands clenched into fists, she stood perfectly still, staring at him.
“You can’t move.”
“Believe me, I won’t.”
“Or flinch.”
She gritted her teeth. Flinching wasn’t something she could guarantee.
“You know what, this is crazy. I shouldn’t do this.”
He threw a knife, and she gasped.
She’d felt it as it passed over her, the air whooshing the fine hairs on her arms.
“Don’t look so impressed,” he said. “You still want to move?”
She didn’t budge.
He threw another knife, this time going past the opposite arm and landing far from her.
“You know, none of these are hitting a target,” she said.
Vincenzo chuckled. “The point of them is to not hit a target, Arika. You don’t want me to actually get you, do you?”
She stared at him as he threw another knife. He wouldn’t hit her.
With each knife that he threw, she felt herself trusting him more and more.
He could have left her for dead.
According to Daniel, he should have.
He hadn’t killed her.
Vincenzo had done everything he could to keep her alive. On the last knife, he threw it and it went between her thighs.
She stood still as he walked up to her. His body seemed tense.
When he was close, she had no choice but to tilt her head back to look at him. He was something else.
Her tits felt heavy, and her pussy pulsed. She wanted him more than anything else.
“I don’t know what I’ve got to do to prove to you that I’ll protect you, Arika. I will never, ever hurt you.”
He bent down, and she watched his hand reach the floor between her thighs and pick up a knife. He held it up for her to see.
Tucking some hair behind her ear, she nodded. “I’ll just go and sit.”
On shaky legs, she went back to her corner and waited as he picked up the knives. He continued to do his workout routine while she watched and waited for him to finish.
Nothing can come of this.
In a few days you’ll be home and he’ll forget about you.
She hated the shot of pain that struck her at knowing she wouldn’t be seeing him again. That he was going to move on and it wouldn’t be with her.
Get over yourself.
He’s a monster.
A killer.
Trained to hurt traitors.
Then why did she hope that one day she’d see him again?
Chapter Six
The doctor had given Arika the all-clear, which was why Vincenzo was standing in her apartment watching her. Her bag was on the main coffee table, and he hated that she looked a little lost. The clothes she wore were the ones he’d given her.
She glanced around the space that made up her apartment. It didn’t even begin to compare to his suburban life.
“You really didn’t have to follow me up here. I can take care of myself.”
“Says the girl that got shot.”
“I wouldn’t have been shot if your partner knew what he was doing and had much better aim.”
“I’ll be sure to remind him of that.”
“That would be good.”
“In the meantime, don’t go near any open alleyways. Just avoid them.”
“I’ll do that. Not too keen on alleyways anyway. Will I see you again?” she asked.
She wasn’t looking at him, and he watched her.
They were both prolonging this meeting, and that wasn’t good for either of them. This wouldn’t ever work. She wasn’t fit to be in his world.
“No, that’s not going to happen.”
“You’re not going to stop by the diner.”
“No.”
“Oh.”
“It’s better this way.”
“That’s fine. I understand. You’ve done more than enough to help me. I get it.”
“I doubt that you even know what you’re talking about.”
“That’s kind of rude.” She stared at the floor.
She composed herself and then smiled at him.
It didn’t quite reach her eyes, and he hated himself for hurting her, but there was no other way.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I know you didn’t have to.”
She held her hand out, and he shook it.
She had a firm grip but not too hard.
“I’ll also make sure you don’t see Daniel either.”
“You’ll keep him away from the diner?”
“I’ll be sure to try. I can’t guarantee anything.” He winked at her. “Have a good life, Arika Jane.” With that, he walked out.
Didn’t look back.
There was no point in looking back.
They had no business being together.
Even when he walked out into the street, he didn’t look up, even though he’d be able to see her window. He knew she was watching.
Climbing into his car, he took off, heading toward one of the family homes where Daniel had already told him to be.
Driving in that direction, he let his windows down and just let the ride clear his head. Right now, he didn’t want to think. Life went on, and as much as he didn’t want her to go home, he couldn’t bring himself to force her to be part of this life. While she’d been staying in his home, he’d seen another side of this life.