Page 59 of A Madness of Crows

My fingers skate across his cheek. Touching him – I can’t stop touching him. Don’t want to lose this moment between us, as he holds me tightly.

The outside world seems so far away.

Stefan is content to wait, his arms a band of strength as they cradle me. I don’t know how much time has passed before the tension starts to creep into his hold, that horrific world outside the door forcing its way back inside. “Cat…,”

I turn, kissing his chest. “It’s already done.”

“He’s not going to stop.” And it’s agony for him. I can see it, see it in the lines of his face as his hold tightens. “What happened today with Reed – it was an escalation, Cat. And I made a lot of moves today. If he finds out… I don’t want you punished for my choices.”

“You were trying to get me out.” I sit up, turn his face to mine, dark eyes swimming with anguish. “I chose to stay, and that isnoton your shoulders. Matteo still has Alessia, and I won’t risk her safety, Stefan. I have to trust Gio and the others to get her out of there, and then we will leave.Allof us.”

He looks unconvinced. “I’ve spent too many years here to believe that it’s going to be that easy.”

“It won’t be easy.” I climb off him, hold out my hand. When he takes it, I lead him back toward the bathroom, to wash off the evidence of this new, fragile bond between us.

Nothing worth having ever is.

Day 44 – Caterina

Stefano stares at my bedroom door, his entire body locked into stillness.

“It won’t open itself.” I slide my hands around his waist and he grips them, holds them as if he’ll keep me here, in this bubble we created. Hours of learning each other, of sharing stories and kisses and hot, breathless touches.

But we’re out of time.

His thumb rubs against the back of my mind. “Remember what I said.”

I know nothing about last night. I followed my usual routine of dinner and bed, and saw nothing out of the ordinary. “I know.”

We linger for a moment longer, before I step out from behind him. His arm jerks as if he’ll stop me, pull me back.

The breakfast room is silent.

I sit quietly in my seat as Stefan fastens the straps over my arms, his finger brushing my skin before he pulls away to move to his own seat.

Salvatore shakes out his paper. My breakfast sits untouched for long minutes as we wait. Across from me, Cecile picks at her own fruit, her eyes darting between us all.

Breathe.I can feel the reminder in Stefan’s eyes on my face.

We’re as covered as we were ever going to be. An electrical fire caused a small explosion that wiped out the power for a good hour, including the cameras. The keys Stefan took are exactly where they should be.

And Salvatore – he finally puts the paper down. Smiles at me. “Good morning, wife.”

I murmur the words back as he expects. Accept the spoon when he holds it out, distaste warring with anticipation as I slowly eat the yogurt.

When I’m finished, his finger strokes against my arm. “I’m looking forward to our dinner this evening.”

And… that’s it. He dismisses us with a cool nod, his eyes still on me as Stefan undoes the straps and grabs my arm, pulling me from the room with a determination that I know isn’t entirely feigned.

Cecile stalks after us, and we stay quiet as she follows us down to the dungeon.

My eyes travel past the cages to the room they dragged me to yesterday. Stefano was a few feet away, and I didn’t even know.

Cecile snaps her fingers in my face as she passes us. “Something on your mind, Caterina?”

“Nothing.” My voice is almost sweet. “Apart from dreaming of your death, that is.”

Stefan’s finger pokes into my back.