6. Leonardo #2
“Abel and Marcello—from what I’ve been told, Abel had a minor freak-out, as he put it, when he heard about Vincent. Mazzi knew who the family was, and his birth family tried to force him to choose them over Naldo.”
I thought about that for a moment. “How did Abel know who Vincent was? You said he was from Montana. Isn’t that somewhat near here?”
Sandro chuckled. “Same continent. I’m not certain about the distance between here and there.
I would think it isn’t all that far if enforcers were coming here for time away from the council.
” Sandro stood up, and after taking my hand, he pulled me a few steps toward him.
At first, I thought he was going to pull me into his arms again, but instead, he opened the door that I hadn’t realized he was standing against. “Let’s go outside and watch the sunrise. ”
My eyes widened. “Is it safe? What if there are wild animals out there or something?”
“Aren’t you a wild animal as well?”
“Yeah, but I can’t take on a grizzly bear, Sandro.
And even I know they have those over here somewhere.
Where exactly is Banff? I don’t remember ever studying about it.
” Sandro pulled me out the door, and I’m not sure what I expected, but the crisp, cool air wasn’t it.
Not only that, but it smelled incredibly fresh and nothing like Rome.
“Okay, my snow leopard could certainly get used to living somewhere that smelled like this,” I said.
Sandro chuckled again. “Apologies. I reside in Naples, and although we could probably move elsewhere, I’m not certain right away is the best time for such an adventure.”
I looked over at Sandro and realized I could see him now. “I wasn’t knocking your city. I’m happy to live wherever. But this place does smell clean and inviting to my snow leopard.”
“I agree,” Sandro said. He pulled me farther out onto the platform we were on and then gently moved me in front of him.
I closed my eyes when Sandro wrapped his arms around my chest and held me there.
It had been so long since I’d had any sort of affection.
Most attention that I’d received was negative, and although this was an intimate embrace, it was in no way sexual.
It was just…nice. I relaxed, and I knew when Sandro realized it.
I felt him kiss the side of my head, and then he leaned his cheek against my head.
“I will never hurt you,” he whispered. “I have something new to live for, and perhaps the fates knew I needed something, and now here you are.”
“I’m not a pet, Sandro. I’m a person,” I told him.
“I’m aware of that. But you’re concerned about my mental state, and I can understand why.
I’ve bottled things up and not let anyone in.
I’ve not talked to anyone aside from Rio about anything that’s happened, and even then, I’ve not mentioned everything to him.
He, of all people, should have been the one I shared things with because he has been responsible for my care after Master Edison healed me. ”
I wanted to turn and look up at Sandro, but he was holding me tight enough that I understood that he wanted the connection between us at the moment, but possibly not to have to face me as he said these words.
“I haven’t talked to anyone,” I said. “After my parents died, I stayed in my room and cried, and when it felt too overwhelming, my snow leopard came out, and I curled up and slept. I don’t think that’s any healthier than the way you’ve dealt with things, but in all honesty, you’ve been through more than I have.
You lost your brother, and I’m so sorry that happened.
But shortly after, you almost lost your own life, and I can’t imagine what that felt like or what you went through. ”
“Hell. Granted, I’ve never been, but I can only say that it felt like what I am certain is hell, and death would have been a preferred alternative to the amount of pain I experienced.”
I relaxed more and leaned my head back against Sandro’s shoulder.
“I don’t know what to do, Sandro. This morning, I woke up and was told to scrub the tile floors.
Next thing I know, I’m attacking the alpha’s brother, and then I literally plowed into my mate.
” I stopped for a moment to take in the sunrise.
The sun was peeking over the horizon, and it was probably one of the most beautiful sunrises that I’d ever seen.
“You do whatever it is that you want,” Sandro said quietly. I felt him kiss my hair again, and I had to wonder if things were going to be that simple.
“All I ever wanted was to have a love like I saw that my parents had. They were so in love. Dad would always get this sappy look on his face when he looked at Mom. And she would do anything for him. Growing up, seeing them, I wanted to have a love like that in my life. I had thought that maybe I could go to uni. I would be able to get a good job, and then I could find someone who would make me happy like they were. Those dreams shattered the day they were killed.”
I felt Sandro’s arm tighten around my chest. “How are they shattered? You found me. I’ll give you everything you’ve ever dreamed of if you will let me.”
I did turn in his arms now so I could look up at him. Sandro stared down at me, and I could see how tightly his jaw was clenched.
“You didn’t want to live not long ago,” I said.
“How am I supposed to believe that you’re going to give me the things that I want when you’ve told me stuff like that?
I want my mate, Sandro, but I don’t want to die.
If you’d rather not be alive, I’d rather live a life of loneliness without ever knowing what it’s like to be with my mate.
” I shook my head. “I can’t do that. I want too much in life to get involved with someone that I have to worry if they’re going to give up on life.
” I tried to pull away, but Sandro wasn’t having it. “Let me go.”
“No,” Sandro said. “You’re right. About everything.
You are. Last week, I didn’t want to live.
I was existing. I live in constant pain, both mental and physical.
That is no way to experience life. I see others around me living lives with their beloveds.
I was easily replaced at the coven by another doctor who is half my age and is more capable than I’ll ever be.
So yes, my existence was pretty depressing, and I had many thoughts about simply not being alive any longer.
My family, what of it that is left, doesn’t want anything to do with me because I chose to leave and follow Vitto.
Why? Because I love my brother, and I wanted to support and protect him. ”
I reached up and placed my hands on Sandro’s cheeks. “I’m sorry, Sandro. I truly am. That’s horrible on all levels.” Sandro pulled me tightly to his body and then kissed my forehead. His lips lingered, and when he didn’t pull away, I moved my hands to his shoulders.
“We’ll figure everything out together,” he said quietly.
“Just give me the chance to show you that I’m all in with us.
I meant it when I said a vampire’s beloved is their everything.
More so than a shifter’s mate. You’ll understand quick enough.
” He moved his mouth from my forehead, and it seemed as natural as anything to turn my head and lay it against his shoulder.
“All right,” I said quietly after a moment.
What else could I say? No? Sure, but where would that leave either of us?
If the man was already not wanting to live, and then his beloved rejected him, he’d certainly end his life.
The thought of being responsible for that made my chest ache in ways I didn’t ever want to feel again.