“That’s too much of a weight to carry, so much darkness,” I whispered, my heart aching for him.
He smiled sardonically. “I like the dark, Greta. I belong there.”
I wished I could argue with him but after seeing his expression in the cell, I couldn’t.
“Very few people can bear what I am,” he said quietly.
“I can.”
Nevio searched my eyes. “You ran from it.”
“Not from your darkness. From…” I shuddered, remembering everything. Tears stung my eyes once more.
Nevio nodded as if he understood. How could he when even I didn’t?
“I won’t ever run from you, Nevio. I’ll always be at your side, no matter what.”
“You swear?”
“I swear.” I extended my hand and touched my palm to his. His touch didn’t revolt me. Maybe it should. Why could I bear his touch after what I’d seen when I could hardly bear most people’s closeness? Maybe my light wasn’t as bright as Nevio thought.
“We should go home. Dad is about to send out the cavalry to search the city for you.”
A weight sunk into my stomach but I allowed Nevio to pull me out from under the bed. He scanned my bloody clothes but didn’t comment.
I felt shaky because I hadn’t eaten in too long. Nevio tightened his hold as he led me out. He towered over me, his fingers linked with mine. Aurora leaned against the wall in the corridor and she straightened when she saw us and gave me an apologetic look before she smiled at Nevio.
He nodded at her. “I owe you.”
He pulled me past her and down the corridor. When we’d almost reached the stairs, I looked over my shoulder, mouthing Thank you at Aurora who still stood where we’d left her. Then she disappeared from view as Nevio led me downstairs. Soon we were crossing the basement corridors and entered the mansion. Nevio didn’t stop until we arrived in the common room area where most of my family had gathered. Alessio and Massimo lounged on the sofa while Nino and Savio sat across from them on the other. Dad was pacing the room, and Kiara was consoling Mom who looked horrible.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Dad muttered, then his eyes settled on me as I stepped out from behind Nevio. Silence fell in the room.
Mom stepped out of Kiara’s embrace, her blue eyes scanning me from head to toe, horror mixing with relief. She rushed toward me and pressed me against her chest in a crushing hug. “Oh Greta.” She sobbed. “Greta.”
I accepted her embrace but my eyes were directed at the rest of the room. Nevio headed over to Dad, clapping Massimo’s and Alessio’s hand on the way. He said something to Dad, probably how he found me.
Dad’s eyes locked on mine, and I felt a deep sadness. I looked away and pulled out of Mom’s arms. I didn’t look at anyone in the room, unable to bear it. “We need to clean you up, okay?” Mom said in a careful voice.
“No,” I said firmly.
“Greta.” Mom cupped my face. “We really need to get you out of these clothes. You’ll feel better then.”
I backed away but my refusal to eat and drink caught up with me and my legs gave in. Mom gasped, reaching out to stop my fall. But my knees hit the floor before she could grab hold of my arms. Dad crossed the room in a blink and knelt beside me.
I tensed when he lifted me in his arms. “When have you last eaten?” he asked in a low voice.
I briefly glanced into his eyes then looked away and gave a small shrug.
“She’s dehydrated. I can tell from her skin,” Nino said as he stopped beside us. He reached for my wrist but I jerked it away. Dad’s grip on me tightened but he didn’t say anything.
“I want to feel your pulse, Greta,” Nino explained calmly.
“I don’t want you to touch me,” I said.
Nino glanced at Dad.
“I’ll take you up to your room now, Mia Cara, where you’re going to let your mother help you clean up and get dressed, and then Nino will take a look at you, and you’re going to eat and drink, understood?”
I blinked up at his dark, serious eyes, then glanced down at myself. I gave a nod.
“You stay here,” Dad said.
“Why?” Nevio groaned.
“Stay.”
Dad carried me upstairs, followed by Mom and Nino. He put me down on the marble floor of my bathroom but didn’t release my arms. “I can take over now,” Mom said in a pinched voice. A tense look passed between them but Dad finally released me and left the room.
Mom closed her eyes briefly then turned to me with a pretend smile.