Claimed By The Mafia Rogue King (Snow and Cupid) novel Chapter 201

Snowflakes

I woke up with a start, finding myself in the bedroom, alone. I stared ahead past the floor-to-ceiling glass to see it was already night, and the ocean was calm now, almost soothing.

The only light was that of the dim one from the lamp ahead. It was quiet, and I wondered where he was. Silently, I sat up only for him to appear in the doorway, as though sensing I had awoken.

Cupid stood for a while in silence before walking toward me to settle with me on the bed.

Tonight, he looked more at home than I had ever known him. He was in shorts and barefoot, wearing a T-shirt.

“You are awake,” he murmured, reaching to tuck a strand of hair off my face.

I lowered my gaze in embarrassment. How I wished the ground would open and swallow me up.

I couldn’t believe I had thrown up on him. I pulled away slowly to lay back down when his hand came to circle around my waist.

“It’s fine. I am not mad,” he said, as though he’d been reading my thoughts, and I dared to look up at him to see he was smiling. I frowned at him before shoving him off but that only had a little impact.

“I was embarrassed. I’m so sorry. Goodness. I don’t know what to do.”

He came closer to kiss me lightly. Then he pulled back to whisper,

“Let’s go out. It’s a beautiful night.”

I smiled back, asking,

“I can’t really stand on my feet. Will you take me?”

“Sure.”

He carried me up, wrapping me with the bed coverlet, and headed down the stairs. Then he took the right turn to the hall that led outside into the open.

I swallowed the moment I arrived at his setup, to see he had prepared it all for this visit.

Candles were glowing at the ends, and he had a bottle of wine with a soft drink. On the table was the manual for the charity event, and I remembered at once, going still.

“Cupid, we are…”

“I called in sick, informed Yenda you also need a few days off. Once you get better, we will resume.”

He lowered me into the chair and sat with me, making me lean on him as I sighed softly in comfort. But then I stared at the manual again, before my eyes moved to the cigarette pack on the table.

Slowly, I looked ahead at the ocean’s soft waves rolling back and forth. A sense of relief and calm descended on me at that, and I smiled tenderly.

“It’s a peaceful place you have here, Cupid,” I said softly. “I love it. How long have you been living here?”

Silence stretched from him, and I pulled off him to sit, putting a space between us as I leaned back in the chair to gaze at his face. He looked at me and nodded slowly.

I felt suddenly selfish. How come I hadn’t thought of it that Cupid, who was taking care of me might also have something big going on in his mind, weighing him down this much?

He glanced at me and nodded, breathing out the smoke.

“I’m good. Just fine. Call it, um… a few free days from work.” He smiled, but that only dissolved before it fully formed. Sad.

“My father. He has his connections in the human region and the werewolf territory. He knew Marlik would be arrested and kept that from me. After I heard the information from you, I had to confront him. His excuse was for me to stay away from the rogue thief.”

My heart sank deeper upon hearing that. He shrugged, sighing shakily.

“I try to understand. I know he has a name to protect, but… but the more I think about it, the more I can’t get it off my mind and I would have looked away if that insult was directed at me.”

He stared into blank space, watching the ocean ahead before he continued, burning through the cigarettes and picking another.

“My father’s wife came the night you were at the hospital. I had to… I had to join the dinner made to welcome her, as she usually comes yearly at this time. My arrival seemed to spoil the mood. She wouldn’t stop the insults at me, and the look she gave me simply made me snap.

“For the first time… I talked back. More like stating the facts to her. She made me sick to my stomach, and at times like this, I only want to be here alone. With you, it’s even much better. So don’t worry. Once you’re feeling well, we’ll go out into the city. For now, all that’s important is your health. Alright?”

My heart swelled at his words, his assurance, and I didn’t know when I nodded, agreeing with him.

Slowly, I closed the distance between us to lean on him, and he held me close as the silence enveloped us as well as a bond too strong, too sacred.