Arya's POV -

My breath always blew away whenever I looked at him.

Everything about the man was so perfect. The swirly ink tattoos that covered most of his skin, the multiple piercings on his ears, those amazing black locks on top of his head, and the most magnificent eyes I've ever seen.

There was so much more to Rome that I don't understand yet, and my main goal was to learn more.

I couldn't help the way my heart would beat faster for him even though I was angry.

He stood there in all his glory, but what had my jaw dropping was the fact that he had no shirt on.

In all my time I've known Rome, I had never seen his shirt off. A tank top at most that exposed his muscles and arm tattoos, but this was so much more.

I was trying very hard to focus on the task at hand, but I couldn't help my eyes from slowly moving down his chest and stomach, his abs on display like a private show.

Swallowing thickly, my eyes then drifted to the new tattoos that decorated his front, and I couldn't help the small hitch of my breath. A silver chain hung loosely around his neck.

Rome had definitely caught me ogling since It's been a full minute since he's opened the door, but he didn't say a word.

Shifting my staring lower, he only had on a pair of black and dark grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips.

Once I realized what I was doing, I shrunk into my shoulders lightly before meeting his gaze.

Those green eyes were dark and full of emotion as he stared down at me.

"Um," I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, "Can I come in?" I managed to squeak out without any stuttering surprisingly.

Rome seemed to be in a small trance, like he couldn't believe I was here before he was nodding and opening the door wider for me.

Stepping inside, he closed it behind me and simply walked to his drawers to find a shirt.

The action made me upset a tiny bit once he threw the black shirt over his head.

Although, it did hug his muscles perfectly...

Rome cleared his throat and ran a hand through his messy hair pulling me out of the daze I was in, and I caught the small smirk that formed on his lips.

I've missed that smirk.

Sitting on the edge of his bed, Rome followed swiftly, waiting for me to speak.

There was slight tension in the room and I hated it.

"Are you feeling better? It's been about a week now, I wanted to come check on you but-" He cut himself off, staring down at his ringed fingers.

Biting my lip, I nodded, "Yes, Wyatt released me today so I can go back to my room finally."

"That's good, baby." He replied softly, his pretty eyes slowly moving back to mine. My heart tugged at the endearment.

I can't get over his eyes. What is it about them?

"I've had a good amount of time to think about...everything," Keeping my eyes downcast, my fingers mindlessly went to his hand and started to twist the silver rings wrapped around his own.

"And um, I just have a lot of questions. I didn't give you a lot of time to explain everything."

"I don't blame you darling, a lot has happened and you don't truly forgive me."

Rolling my tongue against my cheek, I nodded but didn't say anything, continuing to trail my fingers over his rings.

"Ask anything you want, I'll answer any questions you have." He affirmed. I knew his eyes were trying to gain my attention, but I chickened out and didn't meet them.

"Well, how exactly..." I cut myself off, I didn't even know what to ask first.

"Take your time." Rome said after noticing my struggling.

"How did you get involved in the mafia?"

I heard him blow out a breath.

"I was born into it, my mother and father were both in it, so I had no choice but to be dragged inside as well."

"Oh," I whispered, and then my eyes drifted up to his. I wasn't surprised to see his already on me.

"Ivan...killed your parents?" I questioned painfully, my heart hurting for him.

His jaw tightened a bit before he responded, "He did, years ago. Ivan is around the same age my parents would have been if they were alive, about 45 I'd say. I was born when my parents were on the younger side."

"I'm so sorry Rome." I said sadly, my eyes brimming with tears. His turned soft once he noticed.

"Don't cry sweetheart, It's okay. It happened a very long time ago."

He gave me a little smile making me smile in return before blinking to get rid of the tears threatening to fall.

I decided to change the topic about his parents knowing it was definitely a sensitive topic. I couldn't even imagine how I would feel. Although mine were almost killed as well. The thought had me shivering.

"Have the Russians and Italians always been enemies?"

"Sì, It's been going on forever, when my grandfather was the don they were enemies, when my grandfathers' father was the don it was like that as well. The Russians and Italians have always hated each other. I vowed to end the Russians when I became don, after what he did to my family."

His features became harder as he spoke, and all I wanted to do was comfort him. I couldn't help the feeling of wanting to be there for him, no matter how angry I was.

So, the hand that had been playing with his rings gently flipped his own hand so his palm was facing up.

Before he could question my antics, I slowly placed my own hand in his, interlacing our fingers together.

I gave his hand a small squeeze of comfort, and when I raised my pupils back up, I could see the smallest amount of vulnerability gleaming in his eyes.

It was a new emotion to me, something I'd never seen before. Rome had always seemed and acted so strong, like nothing ever harmed him. But I knew it was the complete opposite with him, he had pain inside of him as well.

"You're not scared of me?" He asks quietly, the vulnerability still evident.

"No, I could never be scared of you." I said, "The mafia definitely scares me, but never you."

"I'll never let anyone hurt you." He promised.

"Do you have any siblings?" I asked and he shook his head, "No, I was born an only child. The only family I really have left are my grandparents and cousins who sometimes visit, but I haven't seen them in a long time."

"Do they ever help out with the mafia?"

"Only when there are huge threats. I was very close to calling them down here to help find you, but then we were able to track down a number to your location."

That makes sense.

My thoughts then drifted to his two best friends.

"How did Elijah and James get involved?"

He shifted his weight on the bed slightly, clutching my hand tighter. Warmth radiated through me as he moved closer to me.

"James had been born into just like I was, but just as a normal member. Elijah well, there's a deep story behind his way of getting into it."

"He wasn't born in it as well?" I tipped my head to the side with a curious expression my face.

He bit his lip lightly and I was stuck in a trance at the movement.

"No, Elijah had come from a family of...abuse."

A small gasp escaped my lips. "Abuse?"

"Yes. Sometime in his teenage years he had packed some of his things and went wandering on the streets with no where to go. James had found him believe it or not, and brought him in."

"Wow," was my only reply. Poor Elijah, he must have been so scared all alone out there.

"There's much more to Elijah's past, but that's for him to tell you if he chooses to."

I nod in understanding.

My attention was brought back to our hands. Rome's hand had started to trace small patterns on my skin.

"Do you have any other questions?" He asked and I wracked my brain for anything else I wanted to know.

My eyes then became slightly wider, "What happened back at the...where you found me? What happened to Ivan and Oliver?"

"The stronzi's got away." He scoffed lightly.

(Fuckers.)

Based on his change of tone I knew it was nothing good. "They got away?" There was a small tremble in my voice.

"We'll catch them baby, but I can promise you now that I'll never let them hurt you again."

The look in his eye held all the reassurance I needed.

"Oliver has some...obsession over me." I shuddered. Tears were building up in my eyes. I have been crying so much lately...

"He'll never hurt you again Arya, I won't let him touch you. Gli taglierò le mani e lo torturerò per giorni una volta che lo troverò."

(I'm going to cut off his hands and torture him for days once I find him.)

"P-Promise?" My small voice asked, and I mentally scolded myself for sounding like this.

His eyes were full of warmth as he looked at me before he licked his lips, "Can I hold you sweetheart?"

I was taken aback at the sudden question. That was not what I had expected at all for him to say.

My mind was telling me 'no' and to keep my distance for a little while, but my heart was screaming 'yes!'

I went with the feelings in my heart.

Nodding with a small smile on my face, I knew I made the right decision by the way his eyes lit up and he gently gripped my hand, guiding me closer to him.

Rome guided for my legs to swing over his, and he gently sat me down on his lap. The most comfortable position for the both of us.

It's been so long since I've been this close to him.

As he wrapped his arms around my waist, emotions about everything that happened began to rush back to me.

And it was like he knew because his hand slowly began to rub up and down my back before he whispered in my ear, "Let it all out, It's okay. I'll be right here."

That was all the confirmation I needed before my shoulders shook and the tears fell down my face.

At the first cry that escaped me, Rome was pulling me impossibly closer to him, rocking us back and forth on his bed.

Another sob escaped me, this one much louder as my tears soaked his shirt. I clutched weakly onto the silver chain that was wrapped around his neck.

"Shh," He cooed, continuing to rub my back. "I'm here baby, It'll all be okay, I promise."

My body continued to tremble in his hold as he whispered sweet nothings in my ear, pressing multiple kisses to the side of my head.

"My precious girl," He continued, running a hand through my hair and massaging my scalp lightly.

I sniffled loudly as my head began to pound from all my crying.

"I-I'm sorry," I choked out, holding him tighter.

"You have nothing to be sorry for darling. How about we lay down, hm?"

Gently nodding in response, he stood with me in his arms while I clung to him, never wanting to let go.

He turned off the lights in his room and pulled back the covers, laying us both down.

Rome pulled the covers over the both of us before his arms were back around me while I placed my head on his chest, listening to the beating of his heart.

"Go to sleep il mio amore, I'll be right here." He said, pressing a long kiss to my forehead.

(My love)

I snuggled closer into his chest and took deep breaths to try and calm my breathing.

My tears had finally slowed, and I felt my body relaxing into Rome's soothing touches.

After a few minutes of peaceful silence I murmured, "Rome?"

He hummed in response.

"I forgive you."