Page 24 of Thorns of Silence

Paris was crowded in the summer. Hot. The smell of urine seemed to only get stronger under the beating sun. Every alleyway, every corner. I held my breath walking through certain areas of the city, my nose scrunching and an inadvertent gag rising up my throat.

It was the city of love, but I never saw the appeal or the romance in it. Yes, there was beauty and so much history, but all I associated this city with was pain.

It was where I’d come right after I’d given birth, hiding my body under the oversized sweaters and baggy warm clothes thanks to the cold winter. I buried myself in my studies. It was where I attempted to forget but was never able to.

I turned yet another corner, the weight of his stare on my back like a pair of hands. I could feel him even though I couldn’t see him. Once or twice, I even caught a whiff of cigarettes mixed with rich wood and leather, indicating just how close he’d gotten. I’d recognize that scent anywhere.

My skin prickled with awareness. My steps faltered a few times, almost like my body subconsciously craved his closeness. Goosebumps erupted on my skin as I worked to fight the urge to go to him like a moth to a flame, ignoring the fact that it’d take me to my own death.

A sudden movement from the corner of my eye jolted me to a stop.

I slowly turned around and my insides coiled. A guy lay on the ground with a bloodied nose, cradling his arm to his chest. Dante stood over him, his expression dark.

“What the—” I glared at him. “What is wrong with you?”

Several passersby shot curious looks our way, but nobody stopped. So much for common decency.

“He shouldn’t have touched you.” I gave him the middle finger, wishing I could shove it up his ass. “Would you rather he grope you?” I hated how good his ASL was, but even more, I hated staring at his mouth as he spoke, unable to tear my gaze away.

“I might prefer it to your company,” I signed agitatedly.

“Aww, don’t be like that.” Goddamn him.

“How do you know ASL?” I questioned.

He shrugged. “Watched YouTube videos.” I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. “It’s fascinating.” I scoffed. “Shouldn’t you be grateful I know it at all?”

“I’d prefer not having any conversations with you.”Motherfucker. I really should have put more effort into learning how to sign curse words aside from the middle finger. I’d have to settle for spelling it out for him.F-U-C-K.Y-O-U. He should be able to grasp those two little words.

“You love it,” he claimed. “You’re impressed with my skills, admit it.”

“No, I’m not,” I snapped. “First, you should have learned Italian Sign Language, and second, why in the fuck were you in my room last night, creep?”

His expression was a cold mask, but his eyes gleamed with something carnal. I didn’t want to be around it.

“Dreaming about me, huh?”

While I thought of a comeback, he strode toward me and hooked his arm around me, keeping eye contact as if to ensure I could read his lips. “I’ll crack the skull and cut off the hands of anyone who tries to touch you.”

My mouth went dry. Confusion was once again front and center in my mind. He’d been pretending not to know me, yet here he was acting like he cared.

I breathed harshly, fighting my heart and any chance at his redemption. He had none left.

I stepped away from him, furious at the way my heart trembled in my chest. Taking advantage of my inner turmoil, Dante clutched my elbow and started dragging me with him.

I attempted to shake off his grip. “What are you doing?”

“Walking you home.”

I stopped moving, wrenching my arm free. “No, you’re not. Creep.”

“Iwillwalk you home,” he mouthed, his expression threatening.

“No,” I replied calmly even as my insides raged. How dare he act like he gave a shit? It was too fucking late. I no longer needed him.

He breathed through his teeth, not even bothering to mask his fury. “I wasn’t asking.”

His powerful hand engulfed my elbow, searing my skin. I hated how I trembled. Hated how much I wanted him. My skin heated where he touched me, spreading through the rest of my body.