Page 181 of Corrupted By You

She frowned down at her plate. “To be honest with you, I haven’t eaten much this past week. I’ve had no appetite.”

My chest knotted. It didn’t take a genius to know our falling-out took a toll on her. When I held her in the shower, she looked and felt thinner. “Because of me?”

Darla refused to meet my gaze. “My mind was occupied by other things and food was an afterthought.”

“Don’t do that.” I reached forward to squeeze her knee. “Don’t not eat because you’re upset with me.”

“I wasn’t upset with you, Zeno. I was just disappointed in us. We’re supposed to trust each other. Fully.”

“I do trust you.” I only lied by omission to protect her, and I did regret all the hurt it caused her.

“And I trust you.” She smiled wryly. “Though you’re one to talk. You look like you’ve missed some meals too.”

My tongue poked my cheek. “My mind was occupied by other things as well.”

She scoffed, shaking her head. I stopped eating when her eyes met mine, waiting for her to address the elephant in the room.

“I’m not mad at you for killing Armel,” she said and relief sucker-punched through my gut. “I had no idea what a monster he was.”

“I don’t blame you, Darla. Naturally, it came as a shock because you grew up with him and weren’t exposed to his nefarious side. There were many times I debated telling you. I just wasn’t certain how you’d take it.”

She winced. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” I sipped my wine. “I didn’t like hiding it from you. I wished I’d come clean sooner.”

“Thank you for telling me. I needed to know the truth about Armel.” Darla twined her fingers with mine. “I won’t lie to you, but I did tell Dacia. We’re gearing to smash Armel’s tombstone to the ground.”

“I’ll drive us to the cemetery.” I kissed her knuckles.

“Your secret is safe with me, I swear. I would never do anything to bring you harm. I only want to protect you the way you’ve protected me, Zeno.”

There she went, stealing my heart again.

I leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “I know, baby.”

“And I’m pretty dandy with a gun now,” Darla drawled playfully.

She did learn from the best.

“Oh, yeah?”

“Oh, yeah. So if anyone tries to mess with you?” She used her thumb, index, and middle finger to form a gun and grazed my temple. “It’ll be three bullets into their skull.Pop. Pop. Pop.”

She was adorable when she tried to mimic me. “I’ve got a list of people who’ve been trying to bully me for years. Your gun will be smoking by the time you finish defending my honour.”

“Bring it on. Nobody messes with my Zeno.”

My heart stuttered on its next beat.My Zeno.

“Come here,” I said gruffly and she crawled into my lap. I tucked her wet strands behind her ear. “Hai cambiato la mia vita.”

“I think it’s time I learned Italian.”

“I think so too.”

“How do I say ‘I love you with all my heart’?” she asked cheekily.

This woman was tearing me apart. I pressed my face into her neck and she wrapped her arms around my shoulders in a sheltering hold. I tightened my own around her waist. Darla’s fingers traced the old welts and cuts on my back like she was connecting a constellation of stars. “Ti amocon tutto il cuore, Darla.”