Page 34 of Vanished in Vegas

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ANTONIO

“I appreciate you trying to…um…protect me,” I laughed. “However, I’m capable of holding my own so if you’d like, I’ll talk to your father.”

“No,” Sofia shook her head. “I want his word first. Plus, you and I need to talk more before you speak with him.”

“About?”

“He’s going to want to know how we know each other. Then the floodgates will open from there,” she sighed.

“Sofia?” I said, lifting her chin with my finger. When our eyes met, I smiled. “It’ll be okay. I told you, I won’t let anything bad come your way. You tell me what you want to tell your father and that’s what I’ll say.”

“As simple as that?”

“As simple as that, Beautiful.”

“Why are you so nice to me?” Her question made me frown.

“Why wouldn’t I be nice to you?”

“I don’t know. Just a question,” she shrugged. She acted like none of it was a big deal but nervousness was written all over her face.

“Sofia,” I kissed her gently then smiled. “I meant my words earlier. I’ll do anything and everything to keep you safe.”

Her cheeks reddened and she laid her head on my shoulder. I kissed the top of her head. My arms wrapped tighter around her, hoping she could feel the warmth and sincerity of my words.

“Is it crazy that I don’t want to leave?” she whispered, causing my heart to skip several beats. Her question felt surreal.

“You don’t?”

I was terrified of my question, but I needed to hear how she truly felt. Was I the only one falling hopelessly for a stranger? Or was life finally cutting me a break and Sofia felt the same way about me? Either way, I needed to know.

“No. I don’t,” she replied. She sat up and looked at me. “It’s all like some sort of crazy-ass dream. Like how is it possible for me to feel like I’ve known you my entire life? And how come I’m not scared of you? A normal person would be fucking terrified of their captor; however, I’ve never felt safer.”

The last of her words came out a hushed whisper, but they sounded off in my head like a cannon. The feelings that came over me could only be described with two words– true happiness.

“Going to say anything?” Sofia asked nervously.

“Sorry. Just taking it all in,” I said, leaning my forehead against hers. “Your words have made me a very happy man, Sofia.”

“What do we do now?”

“Whatever your heart desires, Beautiful.”

“What do you want to happen?”

I pulled my head away from hers then looked down at her. I couldn’t help the cheesy ass smile I had.

“I want you to be mine.”

“In what sense?”

“Every sense, Sofia,” I chuckled. It was my turn to be nervous. “I know we haven’t even spent twenty-four hours together. I won’t rush you into the decision I want you to make but I do want you to at least be my girlfriend and stay with me.”

“Just like that? I’m your girlfriend and we live together?” I couldn’t tell if she was making fun of my suggestion or if she was sincerely asking.

“Yes.” I was too fucking scared to say anything else. The fear of scaring her off damn near brought me to my knees. I’d beg her to stay and be mine if I had to.

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