Written in Ink

Forty | Reagan

 After dinner Alonzo and I make our way up to the bedroom. I walk quietly, not saying a word in hopes we won't come into contact with Nico. I'm ashamed that that man has made me scared of him, that is exactly what he wants, people to fear him. Remy does, I do, Lorenzo and Buchanon do, the maids flinch whenever he walks into the room. God I hate that man.

"I'm going to take a shower." I announce once we arrive at the room.

"Alright, let me know if you need anything." He offers in a serious tone. He wasn't asking for anything, just offering his help.

I just nod my head and hide my smile as I walk into the bathroom. I strip my clothes, folding them on the counter next to the sink. As I take my hair down, I see the bruise peeking around my torso. I haven't seen it yet, but I begin to inspect it now, moving my hair to the side and turning to look at the black and purple bruise that decorates the length of my back. I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was this bad.

It's so ugly.

Not wanting to look at it any longer, I turned away from the mirror and stepped into the warm water of the shower. The warm water is nice until I begin to get too hot and uncomfortable. I turn the water cold and feel the icy temperature run through my hair and down my back.

Massaging my scalp with the coconut wash, it feels so delightful. I completely zone out. I could stay in this peace forever.

But soon my fingers become pruny, signaling that my shower time is up. I turn off the water, and grab a towel, wrapping it around my chilled body, but not too tightly just because I don't want pressure on my back. I was about to do some French braids, but I decided against it and left it down out of laziness. I just want to cuddle in Alonzo's hoodie and go to sleep.

When I walk out of the bathroom, I'm wearing Alonzo's hoodie, but I don't have anything else. Thankfully the hoodie reaches past my mid thigh and covers my bum. For extra coverage, I wrap the towel around my waist and open the bathroom door.

Alonzo is there pacing in front of the door and stops when he sees me. "Are you okay? I called for you, but you didn't answer."

"Yeah, sorry I kinda just zoned out." I chuckle. "Did you need me?"

He shakes his head. "No, I just wanted to check on you. I was about to walk in but I thought you just wanted space..."

He is so thoughtful.

I stare at him for a little while. What if a life with him is possible? What if we could be happily together? Would he want that? I still obviously wish this had nothing to do with the Mafia, but from the looks of it, I have to get used to it. Imagine if we could get out. I don't know how any of that works, but a girl can dream. I clear my throat, snapping back into reality.

"I have to finish changing." I announce.

He moves to the side to allow me to walk past him. "Do you want a new hoodie?" He offers.

I nonchalantly bend my neck and smell the collar of the one I'm wearing, it still smells like him. "No, this one is just fine." I reply as I walk to the closet.

Once I arrive, I throw on a pair of panties and, you guessed it, sweatpants. I take the towel from my waist and gently towel dry my hair enough so it's not sopping wet. When I'm done, I walk back into the bedroom, putting the towel into the bathroom and finally getting the chance to lay down onto the comfy bed.

"Tired?" Alonzo asks out of nowhere.

I nod my head and mumble a quiet "yes".

Alonzo chuckles and takes the spot next to me. He doesn't lay down, instead he kneels beside me and pulls up the back of my hoodie, revealing my back.

"The doctor said to rub it so it gets better." He states.

He starts at the base of my back and rubs circles with his thumbs. I wince at the pain, fisting the pillow underneath my head.

"I know it hurts, but it'll feel better soon." He assures me in a calm, soothing tone.

I just nod my head nervously as he continues. Tears begin to prick at my eyes when he gets closer to the middle of my back.

"Stop! Stop..." I plead in a hushed voice.

Alonzo immediately removes his hands and puts a hand on the side of my face, wiping tears. "I know, just a little bit longer. Can you do that? Just relax."

He stares into my eyes and I reluctantly nod. He plants a kiss on my eyebrow and moves his hand off my face.

It'll feel better. It'll feel better. I have to remind myself of this so I don't tell him to stop again. It'll feel better. Don't be a wimp.

Alonzo's warm hands find my back and massage the really tense sore spots for a while. When he starts to get higher, the pain softens and fades into a dull ache. Soon he finishes and my eyelids are heavy, fighting for sleep.

Alonzo pulls me onto his chest, giving me a kiss on my head and pulls the blankets over us. "Good night, amore."

Love. Amore means love. 

Thoughts?