On Your Knees

Chapter 20

a/n: i can't apologize enough for the long wait. school is literally killing me. also, new cover‼️im in the love the cover! this chapter isn't proofread so sorry if you find mistakes:/ thank yall for 13k reads!! i hope y'all enjoy the chapter!<3
TW! torture scene!

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Donnalee's POV
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"Almost done?". I jump at the unexpected voice. Turning around, I find Francesco standing by the doorway. I clear my throat and turn in my chair. "I need to add some finishing touches to the security system and then assign guards their post". Francesco says nothing and silence falls between us.

I turn around, suddenly embarrassed that Francesco caught me working. My eyes land on my unfinished work and I start immediately working on the coding I left off on. Every strand on my body is on edge; I'm alone.

Alone with the man who's making me feel things I thought I'd never feel. I quickly snap out of my thoughts when I feel a hand under my chin. The hand tilts my head up and I struggle for air. Francesco's expression is unreadable and I can only imagine mine is one of nervousness.

"Come to bed, bellissima" He finally says. My mouth opens, trying to form a response. He notices my struggle and says, "You need to rest. Everyone will be okay".

I nod my head, "Okay". A small smile ghosts Francesco's lips as I turn off my computer. I shut the door behind us and we silently walk to our rooms. Once I reach my room, I put my hand on the doorknob and pause. I turn around and grab Francesco's arm.

He turns around, eyebrows scrunched in confusion. My eyes frantically search his face and I feel embarrassment prick my neck. "Why?" I manage to get out. Before he can open his mouth, I continue. "Why do you tell me all these things? You throw them around so carelessly, I don't know if you're serious?" I quickly spit out.

The pounding in my chest growers louder and louder. Francesco grabs my arm and pulls me into him. "No, no, Donnalee. You've got it all wrong" He says, wrapping his arms around me tightly.

"I would never say these things if I didn't meant them. I like you, Donnalee. I've liked you ever since I met you" Francesco's voice is firm, wanting me to understand the sincerity behind his words. Tears sting my eyes and I hold onto him tighter.

"Mean it?" I still ask. Francesco pulls back and looks down at me. "I would give you the stars if it would make you happy. Donnalee, I would give you everything I am so that you can be happy". I feel the tears on my face before I can realize that I'm crying.

Francesco brings his hands to my face and wipes my tears. "Non piangere, non piangere mai a causa mia" He softly says. "You're too good to me" I chuckle out. Francesco shakes his head, "You deserve this and so much more. Donnalee I swear I'll keep you safe so you don't have to worry about me". (Don't cry, never cry because of me).

Francesco bends down and kisses my lips softly. Once we break apart, I can feel all my previous worries vanish. "Now come, let's go to bed" He says, still smiling. I take his hand once more and follow him into his room.
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The blue morning sky fills the kitchen with a bright light. I take a sip of my coffee and finish adding the finish touches to the security system. Closing the computer, I grab the flowers beside me and walk out to the backyard.

The cool air tosses my hair around as I walk past my mother's garden. Once I reach the graveyard, I close the gate behind me. I walk until I reach the oak tree my father planted many years ago. I grab the flowers from the basket and place them on top of my sister's tombstone.