Page 35 of Vow of Hate

Yet, in my body, I don’t feel like there is. Dante still frightens me in so many ways. He also confuses me. Knows how to light my body on fire. Protects me from the man who beat me. Is also the reason I’m in this position in the first place.

I should hate Dante and want him dead. A part of me still does. If he were dead, I’d be safer. I could return home to my mom. See how she’s doing after surgery – which I still don’t know anything. She was asleep when I saw her and never got to find out that I’m alive.

Another part of me feels drawn to Dante. Wants him to touch me. Really touch me himself. Not just a sex toy. What would it be like to feel his hands on my body? The thought sends a tingle between my legs. The aches and bruises from where I was kicked is preventing me from feeling much pleasure though.

I just need to rest. Make it through this and then I can figure out how I feel.

I wake up the next morning to find Dante gazing down at me. There’s a softness to his expression I have never seen before. It makes him more handsome.

However, the moment he sees that I’m awake, that hardness takes over him again.

“How are you feeling?” he asks in a gruff tone. It’s like the sound of rocks pressing against each other.

“I still hurt but not as much as yesterday.”

He nods once. “That’s good. I figured you could use a bath. I drew one for you. Let me help you.”

His words shock me. “A bath? You’re going to help me?” The guest room has an ensuite bathroom I’ve been using but for Dante to help me himself? What world have I entered into?

“Yes. I figured that you’re hurt and you need help. So I’m going to help you.” He picks me up into his arms before I can say anything and carries me into the bathroom where he already has the bath filled with water. Gently, he sets me into the bath. I sigh when the warm water helps sooth the soreness everywhere. “Does that feel good?”

“Yes.”

“Then lean back.”

I do as he says. The last thing I have is energy to fight him on anything. And I don’t really want to.

Dante surprises me when he pours shampoo into his hand and lathers it into my hair. The sensation of his hands on my head sends tingles down my spine. It helps me relax further. We’re both silent as he washes my hair, like both of us are worried we’ll ruin this moment if we speak.

He has a bowl nearby which he uses to scoop up the water and pour it over my hair. His hand shields my eyes to prevent the soap and water from getting in. I never knew Dante had this kind of gentleness in him.

“You should show this side of you more often,” I say into the quiet room. For once, my voice sounds loud.

“What side would that be?”

“Nice. Kind.”

He leans into my ear, his breath tickling my neck. “But then where would be the fun in that?”

I shiver though I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or not. “You could still be kinder. It wouldn’t hurt.”

“Kindness is a weakness.”

“So then why are you being kind to me now?”

“Because Edward hurt you. You’re no fun to me if you’re hurt.”

“So that’s the only way you helped me? Because you still want to have fun with me?”

He sits back on his heels and looks away from me, putting up a silent wall between us. “Ever since I kidnapped you, Sienna, I’ve wanted to have fun with you.”

“Your definition of fun. You never asked me what my definition of fun is.”

“Fine. What’s your definition of fun?”

I shut my eyes, letting the memories wash over me. “Days at the beach. We’d drive out to the coast as a family and I would stare out at the water for hours. My eyes would even hurt from how long I looked. But I didn’t care. Days like that were perfect.” I open my eyes to find him watching me with that soft expression. “Do you have any days like that? Have you ever?”

“Are you asking me to open up to you?” He lets out a low, dark chuckle. “I don’t open up to people.”