Soulless Devil (Sons of Valentino #3)(15)

“I looked over the notes you sent. They were great, although you shouldn’t have been working when you were supposed to be resting.”

“I find studying, learning, relaxing. I know it’s odd but reading is how I rest,” I answer, opening my notebook.

“It’s not odd. It’s… endearing,” he says.

“Well, I can see why you’re in English Lit.” I smile.

“Oh, yeah, why’s that?” he asks.

“Because you’re really good with words.” I can feel the blush rising up my chest and I have to look away. Opening my notebook, I look at the list of topics I thought would be helpful to go over in today’s session. “What did you think of the passage I sent you from Pride and Prejudice?”

“That Mr. Darcy is a complete ass,” he says.

“What? Why?” I can’t keep the shock out of my voice. “I happen to be a huge fan of Mr. Darcy,” I defend.

“Tell me why you believe that Darcy and Elizabeth were compatible. They came from different worlds. Her mother would have been happy to sell her to the highest bidder. If anything, Pride and Prejudice is woman’s way of representing Darwinism at its finest.”

He cannot be serious? But as I look into his eyes, I can tell he is deadly so.

“Next, you’ll tell me you love the whole Romeo and Juliet nonsense too,” he adds before I can even come up with a response to his first ridiculous statement.

“Actually, I do. It’s the most beautiful love story of all time,” I say proudly. “And women marrying is not a way of survival. It’s a way of life, especially in the era of Austen.” I feel like we are talking in circles. We’ve already had this conversation.

“But they didn’t have to marry rich men. They could have lived out their duties of being baby makers to a poor man just as well. They chose rich, because they wanted the best chance at survival in a harsh world. Darwinism,” he says, as if it’s that simple. “And Romeo and Juliet is anything but beautiful. Everyone and anyone knows you don’t sleep with the enemy. They both paid for that mistake with their lives and took the lives of their supposed loved ones with them.”

“I don’t know about that. Their love was so strong that neither of them could imagine a life without the other in it. It was bittersweet.” I’m not even sure why I feel the need to defend the love story, but I do.

“It was codependency, not love. Love isn’t meant to end in death.”

I tilt my head and look at him, really look at him. I may have Googled him last night—curiosity got the better of me. Let’s just say what I read about him, about his family, well, it should have been enough to have me cancelling these tutoring sessions. “Are you saying you wouldn’t kill for the person you love?”

Romeo shrugs. “What angle do you think I should use with this essay?”

I guess that’s a no then. I’m a little thankful he changed the subject. Because, frankly, after reading up about him being a suspected mafia prince, I don’t think I want the answer to that question. Even though it’s hypothetical, I shouldn’t have asked it.

“Well, since you’re so against the concept of love, you should focus on the time period and the expectations of women.”

“I’m not against love.” He frowns.

“Okay?” I’m not really sure where to go with this. I don’t want to get into this topic with him. It’s making me nervous. I don’t like it. Instead, I open a few books and start guiding him on what to look for in the passages. Eventually, I’ve talked about as much as I can on the subject matter. Closing the books and piling them up on the table, I pack my own things away before standing. “Here, take this and check it out. Read through it, and next time we meet, we can start writing up notes for your paper.” I hand him a copy of Pride and Prejudice.

“I’ve read it. I know the story,” he says, pushing to his feet. He doesn’t take the book.

I look down at my watch. We’ve spent longer here than I intended. I’m dreading the walk back to my dorm alone. I would ask Sandra to meet me but I know she’s having dinner with her parents tonight.

“What’s wrong?” Romeo asks.

“Ah, nothing. I didn’t realize how late it was.” I try to keep the fear out of my voice. I can see by the concern on his face that I failed.

“Did you drive here?” he asks me.

“My dorm is a five-minute walk. Also, it’s New York. People don’t drive.”

“I’ve lived in the city my whole life and I drive.” He picks up his backpack and then takes mine out of my hands. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your dorm.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” My protest is weak. Because, honestly, I’m relieved he offered.

“Yes, I do. My mother would have my balls if she found out I let a girl walk home alone at night.” Romeo holds his arm out in the direction of the stairs. “After you.”

“Thank you,” I say, walking past him.

We’re both quiet as we exit the library. I can’t help but look around once we’re outside. I wish I could shake this feeling, the one that I’m being watched. It’s only ever when I’m leaving the library at night. It’s probably my dad’s horror stories finally kicking in and making me paranoid. I mean, who would be watching me?