Leo gently helped Bella into the back seat of the car, making sure not to jostle her sore foot. Then he got in beside her, closing the door softly behind him. He had already ssaged the bodyguard to drive them back, and the man was now seated in the front, starting the engine.
Bella, who usually kept her polite distance, was now clinging tightly to his neck, burying her face near his collarbone as if she was afraid he might vanish.
"Why are you pushing away?" she whispered, her voice muffled against his skin. Her fingers tightened around him. She nuzzled gently against his neck, warm breath tickling his jawline, like a sleepy little bunny seeking comfort.
Leo tensed.
He could feel the way her soft lips brushed lightly across his collar as she pouted. He cleared his throat. "Because," he said gruffly, "you’re basically assaulting ."
"No!" she gasped, imdiately pulling back. Her arms dropped to her sides, and she curled into herself, wrapping her arms tightly around her middle as her face crumpled. "If you feel like that... then I won’t touch you again..."
Leo’s smirk faded instantly.
"I know how it feels," she added in a broken voice, her lower lip trembling. "To be touched by bad hands..."
She started shaking, her small shoulders trembling like she couldn’t hold it in anymore. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks, and her breath caught in little hiccups.
Leo cursed under his breath.
He reached for her without thinking. "Co here," he murmured, voice softer now, laced with guilt. He gently pulled her into his lap, her legs curling automatically, arms clinging to his chest.
He wrapped both arms around her and started rocking her gently, pressing his chin to the top of her head as she cried into his shoulder. "Don’t cry, Bella... I was joking, okay? I didn’t an it like that. You’re not doing anything wrong."
But she couldn’t stop the tears. Her voice cracked as she spoke again, barely louder than a breath. "I-I thought it was okay... because... because it’s you..."
Leo closed his eyes for a second, holding her tighter.
She trusted him.
Even after everything she’d been through.
His hand stroked her back gently. "Tell who touched you," he said, his voice low—dangerous now. "Tell , Bella. I’ll deal with it."
She shook her head violently, tears still falling. "It’s shaful..."
"No," he said firmly, pulling back just enough to cup her face in his hands. "Look at ."
She hesitated, but her watery brown eyes slowly lifted to et his. Her lashes were soaked. Her nose was pink from crying. And her lips trembled.
"Tell ," Leo said again, softer this ti. "Let help you."
"M-My uncle..." she finally whispered, her eyes looking far away, "...and sotis his friend. When they ca ho drunk, they used to..." Her voice cracked, and she bit her lip to hold in the sob. "I used to lock myself in the storage room or my room. Sotis... for hours."
Leonardo’s jaw clenched so hard it hurt.
His hands, still holding her face, were trembling now.
"Monsters," he said under his breath. He leaned forward, pressing his forehead gently against hers, his voice ragged with emotion. "They don’t deserve to breathe the sa air as you."
Bella closed her eyes, letting the warmth of his presence soothe her pain. "I never told anyone before..."
"I’m glad you told ." He kissed her forehead gently. "Thank you for trusting , bunny."
Her breath hitched again but this ti, it wasn’t from fear. It was from relief. She could feel sothing break and nd at the sa ti inside her chest.
She nuzzled closer, resting against him.
Leo pulled her in tighter, one arm around her back, the other gently cradling her head against his shoulder. His heartbeat was strong, steady, and his voice was a soft vow in the dark.
"No one will ever hurt you again, Bella. I promise."
Hearing his words, Bella didn’t say anything. She just... moved.
As if guided by instinct, she clung to him again—wrapping her arms around his neck and tucking her face under his jaw like she belonged there. Her legs curled gently around his waist, trusting him completely.
Leo sighed softly.
But he didn’t push her away this ti.
He adjusted his arms under her, lifting her effortlessly. She was feather-light against him, but the way she gripped his shirt with her fingers made his heart ache.
The ride ho was quiet. The only sound was the gentle hum of the car and Bella’s soft breathing against his neck. Every now and then, he looked down to check if she was okay—but her lashes fluttered gently, her body relaxed against his chest like she hadn’t felt this safe in a long ti.
When they reached the house, Leo didn’t wake her.
He stepped out of the car, still holding her.
The mont his tall figure appeared through the front doors, cradling Bella in his arms, the staff near the hallway all paused. A few maids quickly looked away, startled by the sight. Alessandro, who was just walking down the stairs with a glass of juice, nearly dropped it. And Jay—who had been sprawled on the living room sofa, eating chips—sat up straight like soone had lit a fire under him.
His mouth dropped open.
"Wha—"
Leo shot him a sharp look.
A silent one.
Jay gulped and quickly zipped his lips, holding his hands up as if surrendering to the Mafia King.
Leo adjusted Bella gently in his arms and glanced down. Her cheek was still pressed to his shoulder, and her fingers were clutching the back of his collar. She seed to be asleep now or at least too tired to lift her head.
And in his arms, Bella stirred slightly.
Her brows twitched in sleep, and she murmured sothing incoherent.
Leo leaned down a little, brushing his lips softly against her temple. "It’s alright, little bunny," he whispered. "You’re ho now."
Leonardo pushed the door open with his shoulder, carefully carrying Bella into his room...
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