Page 32 of Tristano

“I’m just warning you,” I admit softly.

I place his hoodie in my lap. After pulling off the hospital gown, I toss it toward the trash can, not wanting to ever see it again.

Tristano makes a noise. Looking back over at him, I watch him rub the back of his neck as he tries to look everywhere but my chest. Slowly I pick up his hoodie and put it on, and sure enough, I catch him looking one last time.

“So…” I ask.

“So…” He raises a brow. “How are you?”

“Oh, I’m peachy. You?” I say sarcastically.

“Same,” he says, playing along. “Anything new going on with you?”

“Oh, you know, got off one case, started looking into something else, got taken, then was saved by a dark knight.” I shrug.

I watch as some emotion I can’t name goes across his eyes.

“Dark knight, huh? Was he good-looking?” he chokes out.

“Eh.” I shrug.

Tristano laughs as he approaches. When he gets within reach, he hesitates, and I hate it.

“You can touch me, Tris. I want you to touch me. Need it even.”

“Are you sure?”

I start nodding before he can even finish asking. “I know you would never hurt me.”

Holding my arms out, I spread my legs, making room for him to step close. Like always, he doesn’t leave me waiting. Tristano steps forward and wraps his arms around me and buries his face in my hair.

Shutting my eyes, I take a deep breath and breathe him in.

I’m safe.

He found me.

It’s over.

“I don’t know how you do it,” I murmur against his chest.

“Do what,anima gemella?” he asks as he kisses the top of my head.

“You always know when I need you.”

“I made you a promise when we were kids, and I’ll never break it. I’d charge through the gates of hell if it meant saving you.”

“Don’t say that.” I shake my head as tears fill my eyes. “The thought of losing you…”

“Hey…” He rubs his hands up and down my back. “Don’t worry, you never will.”

A knock at the door has us pulling apart.

“Come in,” Tristano says.

I watch as one of the men from earlier steps into the room. “Sorry for interrupting.”

“It’s okay, what’s up?” Tristano asks.

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