Page 130 of The Temptation

As soon as the words are out of her mouth, she grimaces.

“Do you even possess a filter?” I ask, because I’m genuinely curious to know the answer to that question.

“Sorry, poor choice of words since you’re recovering from a stab wound.”

I hear a chuckle coming from the other side of the door, so I turn and pop my head through the gap to find Dante standing just outside, looking thoroughly amused.

“Are you right there?”

He rolls his lips to hide his smile, but it’s a little too late for that. “Do you need a lift back to the hospital?”

“I’m staying here.”

He nods his head once. “Okay. I’ll get the family doctor to call around and check you over.”

I blow out a frustrated breath. “Fine.”

“I’ll be heading out then,” he says.

“Okay.”

Before he leaves, he steps forward and places his hand on my shoulder. “Good luck with that one,” he says, flicking his chin towards the bathroom. “You’re going to need it.”

He turns to leave, then pauses. “Lucia,” he calls out, keeping his head trained forward.

“Yes?”

“Call your sister, she’s worried about you.”

“Okay.”

With that, he continues walking, but I don’t miss his laughter trailing behind him as he makes his way down the hallway.

Arsehole.

Chapter 32

Lucia

I’m wrapped in a towel when I enter our bedroom, finding Romeo sitting on the edge of the mattress with his head buried in his hands.

He looks up, and I feel his eyes on me as I cross the room, so I slip my fingers beneath the fold of the towel that sits just above my breasts, tugging it loose.

I hear a growl rumble in the back of his throat the moment it drops to the floor below.

Am I pushing things too far? Maybe. But if he’s trying to shut me out, then I need to be smarter and fight harder.

I originally planned to call Dante once I finished packing, but deep down, I knew going back to their house would only widen the gap between Romeo and me, and that’s something I can’t afford.

I had his keys in my possession, and once I learnt his birth date—the code to the gate—I decided to come here instead. It took a while to find an Uber driver who was willing to take me, our belongings, and the dog, but everything worked out in the end.

“Are you right there?” he asks as I open the top drawerof his dresser. I moved his boxers to one side earlier to make room for my underwear.

I turn to face him as I step into the lemon satin panties in my hand and shimmy them over my hips.

I meet his gaze and arch an eyebrow. “Would you rather have me walk around naked?”

He may be frowning, but I don’t miss the heat in his eyes as they peruse my body. He gave me the same look when I was in the bathtub earlier.