Page 109 of Cassio

“Don’t hide it,” I told her. “I love it. Every inch of you.” The birthmark was the most peculiar one I had ever seen.

I opened the door to my car and walked around to open the door for her. I took my hand to help her out and headed for the stairs. As we walked up the stairs, we held hands, neither one of us willing to let go.

“Hunter?” I squeezed her hand in comfort, feeling a slight tremble.

“Yes?”

“I remembered something last night.” I glanced at her as we climbed stairs to our floor. “Were we ever in a helicopter together?” She tucked a long strand of her red hair behind her ear with her free hand, her eyes searching my face.

I never paused my step. “Yes, when I got you, we left via helicopter.”

“And you asked me to see my birthmark?”

Her memory was slowly but surely coming back. “Yes.”

“Why?”

We kept climbing the stairs. I wasn’t worried about running into anyone, since nobody but the two of us had access to this staircase.

“Callahan told me about it, to make sure I checked for it,” I told her. “He wasn’t sure what state you’d be in. When I found you, I was-” I paused, unsure how much to say without revealing too much. “I got sidetracked. I was furious to see you so hurt and forgot to check for the birthmark.” It was the only time it had ever happened to me.

“Where was I?” I knew she was eager to just put it all together and start her healing process.

“Don’t force it, Vita Mia,” I told her. “Trust me on this.” We were on my floor now and I led her to the door. “I’m going to program your fingerprints to the door so you can go in and out as you want.”

I quickly programmed her fingerprints in and the door clicked open.

“I’ll show you around.” Last night and this morning, we pretty much saw the bedroom, bathroom, and the hallway. I gave her a tour of the place, her eyes soaking it all in.

“I thought I loved my apartment, but this is even better,” she breathed out. “Like a whole house in a building.”

“If you want to change anything, feel free.” She nodded but didn’t say anything. She was uncharacteristically quiet. “No regrets, I hope.”

Her head whipped my way. “No, none.”

“What’s the matter?” Something was bothering her, and I wanted to know what. I wanted it to come naturally to both of us - to confide in each other.

She exhaled deeply, her hands wrapping around my waist. She was much shorter than my six foot three, but she fit me perfectly.

“Promise you won’t laugh,” she muttered.

“I promise.”

“These memories, I worry they’ll break me.” Her voice was low and soft, her face buried in my chest, and fuck, my heart hurt. Because she hurt. “Maybe I am not supposed to remember.” She cleared her throat uncomfortably.

I took her chin between my fingers and made her look at me. I suspected she didn’t do physical touch because of the trauma she underwent. Except she couldn’t remember it.

“Tell me,” I demanded in a soft voice.

“Before I ran into you, I couldn’t stand a man’s touch. I felt broken. Just broken, and now, I-” She wanted to look away but I wouldn’t let her. No hiding from each other. “I finally feel normal, and I worry if those memories come back, my mind would go to hell in a handbasket.”

I lowered my head and pressed my lips to her forehead. I wished I could take it all away and make her see herself the way I did. Strong, beautiful, and kind.

“You arenotbroken,” I told her with conviction. “You are strong. You were strong when I met you eleven years ago and you still are.” Her breath came out in a rush, as if she was holding it. “When Callahan came to me, I was lost. I fought my father, hated him, but I hated myself even more. Because I deemed myself worthless.” She blinked her eyes in confusion, and I forced myself to explain. “My mother’s last words were left on a blood stained piece of paper. She told me to be a worthy man. Worthy of a woman’s love. But with each year, I saw more and more of my father in me. I hated him for it, but I hated myself even more.”

Her palm came up to my cheek. Would she do it once she remembered it all?

“You are a good man, Hunter,” she murmured softly.