Page 72 of Shame
“You’ve put me through hell!”
“I know.” He smirks.
My heart sinks and I have to steel myself to keep my voice steady. “I know there’s some humanity in there.” I gesture to his chest.
“You know, huh? Brave words, coming from a girl I’ve caused so much pain.”
I don’t say anything. I’ve put it all out there. All I can do is wait for his response.
“I don’t want to see the piece of shit again in my life,” he sneers.
“Oh, get over it! It’s your own damn fault, you can’t hold it against him that he snapped, the way you treated him.”
He purses his lips as he regards me. “The baby lives with me.”
“His name is David, and no, he doesn’t.”
He throws out his hands. “How the fuck do you suggest we do this, then?”
My heart jolts with joy, with victory. “We’ll sort it out.”
“How do I know you won’t try to make a run for it?”
“You have my word, Luciano.”
“First name basis now?”
“We’re gonna raise a son together.”
He laughs.
“You’re not touching me, or Lucas, again.”
Salvatore studies me, then he shakes his head, as if in disbelief. “You’re fucking incredible.” A small smile pulls at his lips. “I like it. And you’ve got my word.”
I give him my hand. His grip is firm and warm. I need to learn to be around the beast, but despite what he is, and what he’s done, I know there’s a streak of humanity in his heart. He yearns for something that has always been denied him. Love? To be close to someone? Maybe he will find it now.
Back by security, Lucas is having a staring contest with Christian and Eric. I motion for him to join us and he immediately jolts to action, closing the distance between us.
“What’s happening?” he whispers in my ear, glancing warily at the three mobsters, the lethal men who could crush us with a flick of their fingers. But they won’t. I know it. A mother is holy in their world, and I’ve just proven myself worthy.
“We’re staying. I’ll tell you later.”
Elena goes with Eric and Christian. Lucas drives Elena’s car. Salvatore sits next to him, the tension between them crackling, and I settle in the back, with little David. Salvatore keeps glancing back at me, and at the little tuft of dark hair that is the only thing he can see of our son. We’ve only just left the airport when he sighs.
“Pull over.”
My heart almost stops. What now? I still don’t trust him enough.
“Can I sit in the back?”
I smile, triumph filling me. “Of course.”
I was right. There is humanity in him.
The rest of the way to his mansion, it’s I who keep stealing glances over my shoulder instead, and my heart swells with joy as I watch the beast, his pinky clutched by the tiny hand of our son, on his face an expression of deep awe.
We’ll be all right.
