Soulless Devil (Sons of Valentino #3)(41)

“They had accents.”

“What else? What’d they look like? Old, young?”

I shake my head. I’ve been trying not to see those two men in my mind. Why is he asking me this?

“What else, Livvy?”

“I don’t know. It was dark.” I shake my head. “One of them had a scar on his cheek.”

As soon as I say the words, it’s like a lightbulb goes off in Luca’s head. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”

“Not before I fucking do.” A growly voice comes from behind us, and I jump. Which then has me wincing. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” Romeo says, walking up. My body stiffens when I see him about to lean into me, and he stops. “Have you eaten? Let me get you some breakfast.” He walks around the counter and opens the fridge.

“On that note, I’m out. Bro, you stink like a fucking brewery. Go shower.” Luca stalks away and I almost want to ask him to stay.

I want that buffer between me and Romeo. I don’t know if I’m really ready to face the reality of whatever is going to happen between us. How he’s really feeling about everything. The silence is deafening. I want to say something. I just don’t know what to say. So, instead, I watch as Romeo retrieves ingredients from the fridge and starts making an omelet, which I’m not going to be able to eat anyway.

Neither of us says a word as he chops up vegetables. It’s not until he places a plate in front of me and one next to me that I speak up. “I’m really not that hungry.” My voice is low.

“Just try it. Eat a little bit. Please,” he says, sitting beside me at the counter. I grab my fork and move it around the omelet, picking at the food. “I’m sorry I left last night. I shouldn’t have.” Romeo mumbles quietly.

“Where’d you go?” I ask him.

“I, ah, I went to a bar, ended up in lockup overnight.”

“You went to jail? Why?”

“Allegedly, I was drunk and disorderly.”

“Allegedly?”

“I may have had too much to drink,” he admits.

“Why?” I ask. I haven’t known Romeo that long, but in all that time, I’ve never heard him talk about college parties or drinking himself stupid.

“Why did I feel the need to drink more than I should have? I don’t know, Livvy. My girlfriend was…” He lets the sentence trail off.

“Raped… I was raped, Romeo,” I yell the words and jump to my feet. A sudden rage fills me. “You can say it. I’m sorry that I’m no longer the perfect version of me you wanted. I’m sorry I can’t live up to whatever fantasy you created in your head. I was raped. I didn’t get a choice. I didn’t…” My shouts subside, turning into sobs. Romeo’s arms wrap around me, and I stiffen.

He doesn’t let go though. He just holds me tighter. “I’m sorry,” he whispers over and over again. “I will never be able to show you just how fucking sorry I am. I should have been there.”

“I… what am I supposed to do now?” I ask him through the tears.

“We will do this together, Livvy. Whatever you need, just say the word and I’ll make sure you get it.”

“I need it to go away. I need to stop seeing him. I need to make it stop.” I cry. I know I’m asking him something no one can give me.

“I fucking wish I could take all of your pain, Liv. I promise you those assholes won’t do this to you again. I’ll make sure they can’t do this to anyone.”

I know what he’s saying. He’s going to go after them. He’s going to kill them. “No, I don’t want that. I don’t want your soul tainted because of me, Romeo. Please, let’s just forget about it.”

“Babe, I gave up my soul a long time ago. I’m soulless,” he says, and I can hear the start of a smirk. “You once asked me if I could kill for love. And, right now, I’ve never had a better reason to follow through.” His lips touch the top of my head.

I push back from him. “No, please. I can’t lose you, Romeo. Don’t do anything that will get you in trouble. I’m not worth it. They’re not worth it.”

“Livvy, I wouldn’t just kill for you. I’d make the Grim Reaper look like the fucking Tooth Fairy.” Romeo has so much conviction in his voice. And I know these are not empty words. They’re a promise.





Chapter Twenty-Three





I knew the minute Luca walked out of the kitchen that he’d be on the job of finding the assholes who attacked Livvy. As soon as I stumbled in and heard her description of the fuckers, I was ready to stalk right back out and go hunt them down myself.

Then I took one look at her. I fucking left her last night. I knew how hurt she was and I wasn’t fucking here for her. It’s a wonder she’s still speaking to me at this point. It took her hours to stop crying. I picked her up and carried her to the sofa. We haven’t moved since. She fell asleep about thirty minutes ago. Her head resting on my chest, her fingers clenched around the fabric of my shirt. I don’t want to wake her, so I’ve sat as still as I possibly can to let her sleep. God only knows how much sleep she had last night. If any…

Luca walks into the living room and looks down at her, concern written all over his face.