Chapter 29 Twenty Nine
Salvatore didn’t slow down or put her down.
Not even as they stepped into the mansion. Or when the guard stared at them weirdly. Or the confused look from robotic Antonio
The mansion weirdly felt Warmer for Mira
Or maybe it was just him.
Her fingers were still curled lightly into his shirt, and she hadn’t noticed when she stopped trembling.
Her breathing had steadied.
Her body… had relaxed.
He walked through the hallway like this was normal to carry her not minding the looks from the maid.
Carrying her as she belongs in his arms.
But Mira could feel it.
The way his hold adjusted slightly every time she shifted. Holding her tightly but not too tightly. Careful with her. Not careless like she expected from someone like him.
Her eyes lifted slightly, studying his face from where she rested.
His expression was neutral.
Focused. But not cold. Not the way it usually was.
That made her look away quickly.
Before he caught her staring.
They turned a corner… And Lena appeared down the hall. She stopped the moment she saw them.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Surprised.
Salvatore didn’t stop walking.
“Lena,” he said calmly.
She straightened immediately.
“Yes, sir.”
“Get me an ice bag,” he added. “For her leg.”
Lena’s gaze flicked briefly to Mira… then to the way Salvatore was holding her.
Something passed across her face.
Something quick… Then it was gone.
“Right away, sir.”
She turned and disappeared down the other hallway without another word.
Mira shifted slightly in his arms.
“…You didn’t have to do that,” she muttered.
His eyes didn’t move to her.
“You’re injured.”
“It’s not that bad.”
“Are you going to shut up and let me carry you or I drop your ass on the floor?” he said looking at her now..
Mira went quiet.
Her face flushed..
Mira exhaled softly, giving up on the argument.
“…You’re very bossy,” she added under her breath.
A pause.
Then he spoke in a teasing way ” I will take that as a compliment.”
She almost smiled.
Almost.
But she caught herself.
Her head shifted slightly again, brushing closer against his shoulder.
They reached her door.
Salvatore didn’t hesitate. He opened it with one hand and stepped inside.
The room felt the same.
Quiet. Still. Nothing out of place.
But Mira’s body tensed slightly anyway.
A small reaction she couldn’t control.
Salvatore noticed. He didn’t say anything.
Just walked further in and lowered her carefully onto the bed.
Not dropping her carelessly, but carefully.
Unlike the man she knew..
His hands on her waist lingered for half a second longer than necessary as he made sure she was steady.
Then he pulled back.
Mira sat there, her hands resting on the bed beside her.
Looking up at him.
The distance between them now felt… charged.
The air felt tense… and uncomfortable not in a bad way
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
The words came out softer than she intended.
His gaze rested on her for a moment.
Unreadable again.
Like the version of him he just saw had disappeared again.
“You should be more careful,” he said.
Her brows pulled together slightly.
“I was—”
“You weren’t.”
Her lips pressed together.
She didn’t argue. Because she knew he was right. She was careless and stupid to have believed a text from someone she didn't know. She nearly died tonight.
A knock came shortly breaking the tension.
“Hello, Miss. It's me, Lena.”
“Come in,” Mira said softly.
Lena stepped in with a small tray—ice wrapped neatly in cloth.
She paused again briefly, her eyes moving between them.
Then walked over and handed it to Mira.
“Here, miss.”
Mira nodded. “Thank you.”
Lena stepped back.
But she didn’t leave immediately.
Like she was waiting.
For something.
Salvatore noticed.
“You can go,” he said calmly.
“Yes, sir.”
And just like that, she left.
The door closed again.
Silence returned.
Mira placed the ice gently on her ankle, wincing slightly at the cold.
Salvatore watched..
Then—
“Next time,” he said slowly, “if you want to run… pick a better time.”
Mira looked up at him.
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
A small pause.
Their eyes met again.
That same tension.
Unspoken. Lingering.
Then he turned away.
Just like that. And started walking toward the door.
Mira watched him go.
Something in her chest is tightening slightly.
She didn’t understand it.
Didn’t want to. But it was there.
Right before he stepped out—
He paused.
Just for a second.
Without turning back.
“Get some rest, Miss Voss.”
Then he left.
And the door closed behind him.
.