Chapter 57 Fifty Seven
“I still think planting a camera in her room was a bad idea,” Antonio said from where he stood, leaning against the bookshelf with his arms folded.
Salvatore looked up from the security monitor.
He didn’t say a word.
Antonio sighed. “What if she finds it?”
“If she was going to find it,” Salvatore said calmly, “she would’ve found it the first day she got here.”
His eyes returned to the screen.
Mira sat on the edge of her bed, her face buried in her hands. Even without sound, he knew she was crying. Antonio followed his gaze before looking back at him.
“You’ve been watching that screen for hours.”
“So?” Salvatore said his eyes still fixed on the screen
“So it’s creepy.” Antonio said watching him
“It is.”
Antonio blinked shocked “You actually admit it?”
“Watching isn’t creepy to me I could do that all day it’s fun .”
Antonio rubbed a hand over his face. “No kidding.”
Salvatore watched as Mira slowly wiped her eyes before curling up beneath the blanket again.
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
She hadn’t smiled once since the fight.
He’d expected her to throw tantrums, expected her to scream.Expected her to throw things around the room.
Instead…She’d locked herself away.
She looked… defeated.
For reasons he couldn’t explain… He didn’t like it. He liked when she fought him, challenged him.
Antonio noticed the change in his expression.“You’ve been checking that camera every five minutes.”
“I know.”
“You haven’t done any work today.”
“I know.”
“You skipped three meetings.”
“I know.”
“You cancelled dinner with the mayor.”
“I know.”
Antonio stared at him. “You’ve lost your damn mind.”
Salvatore finally looked away from the monitor.
“I lost it the day she walked through my front door.”
Antonio let out a long sigh. “You know what I don’t understand?”
Salvatore raised an eyebrow.
“You threatened her.”
“I did.”
“You told her she’d never leave.”
“I meant it.” Salvatore said his voice low” She’s never leaving.”
Antonio nodded slowly.“I know you did.”He glanced toward the monitor again. “But you just made it worse… she’s terrified of you now.”
Salvatore remained silent.
“I don’t think she’s ever looked at you the way she did today.”
His gaze drifted back to the screen.Mira hadn’t moved. She was still sitting on the bed, staring at the empty dinner plate. Like accepting a single meal had broken something inside her.
“You pushed too hard,” Antonio said quietly.
“I did not .”
“You did.” Antonio said again softly
“I did no such thing.”
Antonio frowned. “You honestly think threatening to kill everyone she cares about was the right move?”
“It was necessary.” Salvatore said his jaw tighten
“For who?” Antonio asked
Salvatore didn’t answer.
Antonio laughed bitterly. “You know what your problem is?”
“I have several.” Salvatore said nonchalantly
“You don’t know how to keep people you like.”
His eyes remained fixed on the monitor.
“You only know how to trap them, turn them into prisoners. You put them a cage and bind them.”
The room fell silent for several minutes…
Salvatore spoke. “I’ve never wanted to keep anyone before. I don’t need anyone either.”
Antonio looked at him.“Really you don’t?.”Antonio let out a sigh” This thing with Mira it’s.. it’s different Sal.”
“Different” Salvatore repeated, leaned back in his chair.“I’ve killed men without losing sleep.”
“I know.”
“I’ve watched people beg for their lives
“I know.”
“I’ve buried monsters .”
Antonio nodded once.n“I know.”
“But hearing her cry…” His voice became quieter.
“…is annoying.”
Antonio stared at him before shaking his head.“Annoying?”
“Yes.”
“You mean it bothers you.” Antonio says softly
“No it’s interrupts my thoughts.” Salvatore said
Antonio laughed. “You really are emotionally constipated.”
Salvatore ignored him.His eyes stayed on the screen.Mira slowly lay down on the bed, curling onto her side with her back facing the camera.
She looked so small. Nothing like the stubborn woman who had argued with him over dinner.
Nothing like the reporter who had marched into his life convinced she could expose him.
She looked… Broken.
Something unpleasant settled in his chest.
He didn’t recognize the feeling. He didn’t like it.
Antonio watched him carefully.“What is it Sal ?”
Salvatore didn’t answer.
“You regret threatening her?” Antonio asked
“No, I don’t.”
“You regret telling her the truth?”
“No. I don’t .”
“Then what’s bothering you?”
Several seconds passed.
Finally… “she’s been crying for a fucking two hours now non stop.”
Antonio smiled to himself. “There it is.”
Salvatore frowned. “What?”
“You finally care about someone.” Antonio similes
Salvatore’s expression hardened. “No.”
Antonio chuckled.
“Keep lying to yourself bro, have known you since we’re kids and I know when you like something. And you like her.”
Without another word, Salvatore reached for the remote and switched off the monitor.
Antonio frowned.“I thought you wanted to keep watching.”
“I’ve seen enough.” He stood, buttoning his suit jacket.
“Where are you going?”
Salvatore walked toward the door.“To make sure nobody her room is locked safely
Antonio watched him leave before muttering to himself. “You poor bastard. While you’re there find way to tell her nicely she needs to follow you to the charity ball tomorrow with the mayor.”
“Go to bed Anton” Salvatore said walking out of his office. His thought running willd.. finally had found something he couldn’t control.
And it was slowly driving him insane.