~Leonardo~

"I almost got mugged, I'll be there in a second."

Emilio's voicemail played out and I tucked my phone into my pocket. I should have known he'd be late. I was supposed to meet my cousin here in central park half an hour ago.

The air sat still and sharp on my way over the pathway. It was minus something degrees, nothing like the warmth in Sicily, another reminder I hated this city.

As I made my way over the icy pathway, chatter came from all around of tourists who wouldn't pass taking photos even in this weather. Emilio, you fucking idiot. If he wasn't here in another five minutes I was leaving his ass.

My eyes flittered over the trees covered in snow in search of Emilio, when a voice muted my thoughts.

My gaze moved sideways to where the voice came from, to the food truck at the edge of the park. Fuck, I really couldn't escape her.

Alex leaned against the counter of the food truck, chatting away with the vendor like they were childhood friends. A tight heat formed in my chest at the ease she spoke to him with, but that didn't stop my eyes from falling over her body.

She wore a long, white coat that looked like a dress and I almost laughed to myself. She really couldn't leave the dresses behind.

My pulse grew loud and unhinged like her voice, and I tried tearing myself away but couldn't. I spent the last eight months waiting for her to come back on her own, just like how she left and when I realised she wasn't coming back, I tried letting go of her.

But fate was petty. When I came here for a meeting, I never would have thought I'd find her again. Now I had to stand there and pretend like I was a man who could easily let go, when really I wanted her more than anything.

Choice.

Giving it to others was screwing me over.

When she took her wrap and walked away, the vendors eyes followed her like a schoolboy with a crush. Irritation boiled in me and I tucked my clenched fists in my pockets. My glare scared the unshaved mans attention from her, and like she noticed, she caught my eye and slowed to a stop.

"Boyfriend?" I asked, and she tilted her head.

"Not your business."

"So you're stubborn. That's new."

"And you're still you." Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Did you really follow me?"

"No. You'd have to be on my mind for me to do that."

An amused scoff left her and she shook her head, the curls in her brown hair swaying with her move. Just as she was about to speak, a woman approached her holding out what looked like an interior design pamplet.

"Pamplet ma'am?" She asked. "At Eric Robinsons, we can fulfill all your designing needs."

"No thanks, I live on fourth street." Alex replied and I pulled her away from the woman.

"Ignore what she said." I told her before facing her. "You ever think before you open your mouth?" I asked, releasing her arm.

"Not when I'm around psychopaths who lie and deceive people around them."

"Hiding something isn't the same as lying." I declared as her arms crossed. "You need to learn how to let go, mia cara."

"I can let go, actually I'm doing it now." Her eyelids fell shut and she exhaled a deep breath. "You're gone, you're out of my mind for good."

"I'm still here."

"I can't see anyone." Her eyes opened and as she turned to leave, her scarf fell but she didn't notice.

My teeth clenched. "Alex."

"Sorry, who are you?"

I picked up her scarf and moved in front of her, forcing her to stop. "You think the world's going to treat you better? Look around, there's pain and suffering everywhere."

"At least I'm not the one causing it."

I wrapped her painfully green scarf around her neck. "Is that why you ran?"

A blush spread along her skin, pale and flushed. If I touched it, It would be ice cold.

"You should have been honest with me." She muttered, flickering her eyes away for a second.

"That's not an answer. Were you afraid?"

"No. I never have been." Her gaze met mine, glossed with guilt and something unfathomable. "I fell for a version of you that didn't exist and when I saw it wasn't real, I hated you so much I couldn't stand the sight of you."

"And now?"

She swallowed, her chest heaving in her moments of silence like she wanted to delay her answer.

Her eyes never once met mine as she said three words. "I still do."

Before I could search them for signs of a lie, she tore herself from me and her words echoed in my mind as her figure grew smaller.

Once she disappeared behind a crowd of trees, A chill ran over my skin, clashing with the heat inside from her presence. I always told myself I didn't want Alex Vitalli, that she was a liability, but I accepted now that it was a lie.

She'd become an obsession that took over my every thought, and I'd wait for her until the end of fucking time.

~Alex POV~

I first left Italy to get away from the death. My Mama's suicide, the crime, the darkness leading the country. Then I met Kegan who was supposed to be my escape, but when I realised he wasn't...it made me resent myself. I didn't know his intentions.

Maybe he was why Leo's betrayal stung harder than anything, because I could just feel Kegan laughing in my face telling me how stupid I was.

I was.

I should have known didn't need anyone, and I'd keep saying it to myself until I believed it.

I stopped outside my apartment building and stared at the newly broken window. Nice. A new addition to this charming place.

Once I pushed open the door, I covered my nose at the sickening smell. Why did the neighbours love leaving their trash here? Didn't they know etiquettes?

I headed towards the stairs dying to get away from the smell, before my landlord stepped out of his ground floor apartment. My heart dropped and I knew what he thought the second he saw me.

"You're late on rent, again." He snorted and wiped his nose with his sleeve. "I let it slide the first time, now I think I'm not gonna be so soft."

He was just like you could imagine. A middle aged coke addict with a balding head and a silver tooth. He was the kind of landlord to sneak into your place and go through your underwear drawers. It happened once.

"I'm sorry." I lowered my head. "I'll get it in tomorrow first thing. It's been a busy week."

"Not enough." His eyes dropped over my body and my grip on my purse tightened. "Maybe there's another way you could pay me."

Instinctively I stepped back, but he took the move as amusement and smiled, stepping closer to me until I could smell his breath. When his grimy hand touched my face, I flinched and froze in my spot.

"Leave me alone." I said quietly, but he just laughed and tightened his hold on my face.

"I can kick you out on the streets this second." He croaked, unbuckling his belt with one hand. I'd been through this enough times to finally stand up to his crap.

In a surge of confidence I grabbed his hand and twisted it hard enough for him to groan. "And I can break both your hands, son of a bitch."

He snatched it back and screwed his face up at the pain. "You're as good as dead, Vitalli."

Before he could grab me I ran out the building, the icy air hitting my skin on my way into the nearest street. I prayed there'd be a cop here, but it was midnight and this street was so quiet, it felt abandoned.

The cold pinched my nose. My eyes watered. Weakness struck my legs but I didn't stop running, I was recovered from my cold so I had more energy now.

"Run faster bitch!" He called out, emerging from behind a car. I breathed loud as my lungs burned, wishing for him to be hit by a car or something. I turned the corner and a whimper of relief left me when my eyes met with another pair.

Dark suit. Blue eyes. I ran up to Leo and threw myself against his arm. Tears pricked my eyes at his presence, at his familiar scent. Chest heaving, I clung onto him tight as the landlord called out for me.

"Alex." He said my name like he wanted to know what I was doing, but when the landlord ran into our view, Leo took one look at him and didn't question me. 

The landlord froze under Leo's stare.

His unbuckled belt became apparent and when I felt Leo tense against me, I now refused to let go. I knew what he'd do if I did.

"Let go of my arm, Alex."

"No." I shook my head and as he tried walking and  tugged him back. "Leo, please." I begged, tears forming in my eyes. "Just take me home."

A muscle in his jaw twitched as he watched the landlord escape, and thankfully he didn't go after him. Instead he took my hand and lead me into the building, right up to the door of my apartment.

I knew he was busy and that I wanted nothing to do with him, but right now I needed him.

I didn't think I'd need him ever again, but after living in this foreign city with strangers all around me, he was familiar and safe.

The realisation struck so hard, I feared that I came here for no reason.

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Authors note - guys sorry for the delay :( i know i said I'd post an extra chapter and i will try to soon.  Thank you for reading!