I only heard concern in her voice now. I felt my eyes heat up, but I blinked hard. I didn’t need tears. I hated weakness. Hated it! “I—”

The door opened then, and Salvatore walked inside carrying two mugs of coffee. I sighed in relief.

“Lucia, what’s happened?” Isabella asked, likely having heard the sigh.

Salvatore looked at me quizzically and closed the door. He wore a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, his usual uniform, and he’d slicked back his dark hair. He mouthed the word, Okay?

I turned away.

“Never mind, I’m fine,” I said to Izzy. “I thought he’d left me here,” I whispered, hoping Salvatore wouldn’t hear.

I heard a male voice asking what was going on in the background.

“Who is that?” I asked.

Isabella sighed. “No one. I’m getting up to come get you now.”

“No, it’s okay,” I said, turning to find Salvatore sipping his coffee, watching me. “He’s not going to leave me here,” I said, the comment more a question to Salvatore.

He shook his head.

“I’ll call you once we’re home. Uh, I mean, back at his house.” Fuck. What the hell was wrong with me? “I have to go.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah. Sorry to have called so early, sis.”

“You’re fine. You can call me anytime, day or night, understand?”

I nodded. “Thanks. Love you.” I hadn’t said that in more than five years.

There was a pause. “Love you.”

I disconnected the call and slid the phone into my purse. “I thought you’d left me here.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you. Come here.”

I went to him.

“You okay?”

I shrugged a shoulder, dropping my gaze to shield my eyes. Why did his asking make me feel so fucking needy? Why did him taking me into his arms make me want to sob? Because that’s what it did. That’s what having his arms around me right now, like he would keep me safe forever, even after last night, that’s what they did. They made me want to weep.

The last time he’d held me like this, I’d pulled away. This time, I didn’t. I let myself melt into him. Neither of us spoke. I squeezed my eyes shut against his chest, feeling confused and hurt and vulnerable and so fucking grateful he was here. None of it made sense.

“Can we go?” I asked when I could speak without crying.

He pulled back and looked at me, his thumb wiping away some of the moisture around my eyes. “Not yet. I need to go down to breakfast, but I’ll make an excuse for you. Get packed. We’ll leave as soon as possible.”

I nodded and went to sit on the bed but stood again as soon as my ass made contact.

“Lucia?”

I looked at him.