Chapter 9 Lev #2
Papa would be proud. Not for saving a Mancini—no, he’d probably kill me for that—but for showing my worth outside of my knowledge of technology.
For using my strength from surviving prison for something he’d deem useful.
By saving Serafina, and putting aside Vanessa’s relations with Zeno, we solidified this alliance.
And make no mistake: saving Serafina was probably the worthiest use of said strength. Saving her means she’s here, flickering between glaring and acceptance. She gets to remain alive, unharmed, and attend the school of her dreams.
She rolls her lips before more of the tension winding her body loosens. “Thanks for agreeing. You didn’t have to.”
I tip my head in a silent you’re welcome before returning to the couch.
“You’ll stay out of my way?”
“That’s what I said.” Serafina is clearly one of those people who insists on fact-checking everything.
Her teeth scrape over her bottom lip, and for a second, I question my latest words. They were blunt, maybe a bit crass—rude, I think. I’m not very good with conversing, but the last thing I want is to be mean to her.
With a flick of her hair that makes her scent even stronger, she turns for her room, returning only seconds later with a purse slung over her shoulder. Without looking my way, she walks to the door, leaving me to scramble after her, cursing.
She’s supposed to stay inside and not send my panic skyrocketing on day one. Won’t she have enough time outside these four walls in a matter of days?
“Where the hell are you going?”
“Didn’t realize I needed to ask permission to go out.”
“No, but a head’s up would be nice.”
She huffs, tilting her head to stare at the ceiling for a moment. I follow the path, finding nothing. Strange behaviour.
“Textbook shopping. Most people will probably be doing it tomorrow, so I’d rather get it out of the way. Besides, my friend texted. She finished moving in too, and it’ll be good to see her.”
If shopping now means less people—less noise—her plan is solid.
“Makes sense.” I cross the room to my bedroom. “Two minutes. Let me grab my things.”
Seconds later, the door slams shut with a very purposeful thud that tells me exactly how she feels about waiting.
With a sigh, I root through my bag for my gun, strapping it to the holster on my lower leg.
Not that anyone on campus will probably attack, but I’d rather have the safety, considering it’s so rare to go anywhere without a weapon.
Once strapped, I head out of the dorm, locking the door.
Every person who steps in my way is cursed as I rush down the stairs, skipping the suffocating small box of the elevator.
I reach the bottom at the same time it dings, and the doors slide open.
Serafina walks out, spotting me instantly, her wide eyes flicking to the stairs and back.
Despite my agreement to give her space, I grab her arm and haul her closer to my chest, her peach shampoo doing ungodly things to my insides. Doing my hardest to not breathe, I lower my face by her ear so only she hears me.
“I’m here for your protection, not to be a deterrent on your fun, so be nice. No matter how many times you attempt to leave me behind, I’ll always catch up. Make that attempt your one and only.”
“It’s only the campus bookstore. I’ll be nearby a lot of people.”
“Anyone can blend in, pretend to be someone else. Look at me.” She twists her head slightly into me, her warmth heating my skin, which grows hotter with my next words. “Your safety isn’t a risk I’m taking.”
“Yeah, but based on your expression, you didn’t want to leave the room.
” Her eyes flick from my lips to my own eyes, her proximity making it difficult to suck in the necessary oxygen.
She smiles faintly, her next words tinged with an emotional truth.
“Maybe I was trying to slip away before you felt the need to follow. You’ve done enough. It was a mistake asking you to come.”
Strangely, that does more to my insides than her scent. Coming to Italy was definitely a mistake. This bookstore will be one nail, her first class another. By the end of the week, I’ll be buried in the ground, wishing I denied her request.
But it’ll be a wish I’ll be happy went unfulfilled. She asked for me because she feels safe with me, and no matter what, that’s the most important thing.
Which is why I release my breath a little, to take some of her scent inside me. It’s the last time I’ll be this close to her. Already, I’ve clung too long, but this is her fault for saying words born from misplaced guilt.
“I agreed to help because I wanted to. I have a vested interest in ensuring your safety.”
A ripple passes through the blue of her eyes, like a gentle wave as she glances towards my left shoulder. After another moment, she whispers, “Alright, I promise to not leave you behind again.”
“That would make it easier, thank you.” My fingers uncurl from her arm. I hate touching others, and I despise others touching me, but Serafina’s skin is smooth and soft, and I grabbed her without much though.
So strange.
She walks away, and I wait until she’s about ten paces before trailing her across campus, scanning everyone we pass. The majority are lost in their own activities, moving here and there. Some are gathered in groups, a couple guys across the way tossing a ball back and forth.
No one looks twice at Serafina, and yet, my head thumps, the unwelcome noise making everything fuzzy again. Inside the dorm and being in Serafina’s proximity made my head quiet, so it’s a striking shift.
Soon, we arrive at a store made of mainly glass labelled as Campus Store above the door. She stops and pulls out her phone, fingers flying across the screen. Even from the distance, the clicking of her nails reminds me of Anastasia, making the sound that normally irritates me oddly welcoming.
The area’s busier than the rest of campus, students flitting here and there, their anxieties making me want to hide.
Seems she was incorrect about people waiting until tomorrow to shop, since inside is packed.
Many enter the store while just as many exit, their arms jammed with textbooks.
An air of excitement tainted with the sourness of stress permeates the air, students all but reeking of it.
Not Serafina, though.
I have no fucking idea what I’m about to get myself into, but it likely won’t be anything good.