Arya's POV -

Waking up sometime later had a small smile forming on my face as I observed the huge body beside me.

Rome was fast asleep with his arms still around me, one was under my shirt and resting against my bare back.

Soft snores filled the room as he slept and his black hair was messy falling over his forehead.

Resting my head back against his chest, I decided I wanted to sleep a little while more. He was so warm, his body heat radiated off of him.

Snuggling closer, my hands reached up to clutch onto the silver chain around his neck. I had never noticed it was there before, but I suddenly found comfort when holding the cool material.

Closing my eyes, I was out like a light in seconds.

The next time I woke up, I felt like I had more energy. I was a bit hungry too and I needed the bathroom badly.

Rome was still knocked out beside me which made me laugh internally. He probably didn't wake up once.

Trying to pry his arms off of me, I found that it was quite difficult because he was so strong even when sleeping.

I tried again and was met with a chuckle, his whole body vibrating making me freeze.

"Where do you think you're going?" He rumbled, his arms pulling me closer making me squeal.

"Rome I-I need-"

"Hm?" He hummed, and I noticed his eyes were still closed.

"The bathroom. I need the bathroom."

A few more seconds ticked by before he slowly released me from his arms, but not before his hands brushed across my waist, making goosebumps form on my skin.

Quickly scrambling to get out of the covers, I patted my warm cheeks before marching my way to the bathroom.

After doing my business and washing my hands, I glanced in the mirror to take a look at my appearance.

I winced slightly at myself, trying to fix my messy hair and rubbing any of the exhaustion left out of my eyes.

Searching the drawers for a hair tie, I threw my hair into a messy bun and headed back to Rome's room.

Once I made it, Rome was still lying down with his eyes closed. I opened my mouth to tell him I returned, but what surprised me was when his arms opened up, a gesture to lay back down.

I didn't waste a second and took quick steps to be back next to him.

"How did you know I was back?"

His hand went back under my shirt and lightly traced my spine.

My breathing hitched.

"I heard you," Was his response as he continued to trail his hand up and down my back.

Wiggling closer to the tattooed man, I relished his amazing warmth for a few moments before the peaceful silence was interrupted.

It sounded like gurgling, however it wasn't by either of us talking.

It was my stomach.

Oh gosh, this is so embarrassing.

My ears turned pink as he gently laughed next to me, his large hand slowly moving to rest on my stomach.

"Hungry?"

"N-No," I murmured.

"Sure you're not. Come on, I'll make us something."

Sheepishly smiling, we both sat up into sitting positions. I was about to place my feet on the floor but before I could Rome was lifting me bridal style.

"Rome!" I yelled as he carried me towards the door, my arms wrapping around his neck.

He gave me a beautiful smirk as he continued to carry me down the hall and towards the stairs.

"How's your wound doing?" He asked, making his way down the steps.

"It's better, I barely feel it anymore."

"And your other injuries? Wyatt had been keeping me updated but I want to hear it from you." Glancing at my chin, his eyes turned dark at the barely visible bruise.

"I'm better Rome, I promise. It doesn't even hurt anymore." I gently said, referring to the bruise he was currently looking over.

Placing me down on one of the island chairs in the kitchen, his ringed hand cupped my cheek and pressed a soft peck against my chin making me all flustered.

"Um, I-" I stuttered out a response to that while he gave me a flirty smile.

Without a word, he turned towards the fridge to pick out ingredients for what I assumed breakfast.

"What time is it?"

"Around 10 AM, we were asleep for a while."

I guess we both needed the rest.

Rome grabbed a carton of eggs and some bacon from the fridge making my mouth water and my stomach grumble again.

"Do you need help?"

"I put you in that chair for a reason baby, to stay seated."

Pouting, I swung my legs back and forth while watching him turn on the stove to begin cooking.

Something about watching him cook had my whole face warming up.

His muscles were literally visible through his shirt as he flipped the bacon and eggs, my eyes stayed on his arms full of pretty tattoos.

An amazing smell began to form in the kitchen after a few minutes of him cooking, most of it coming from the bacon.

"Holy fuck, what is that heavenly smell?" James' voice echoed throughout the house and a laugh escaped my mouth.

Rome turned to look at James with an unimpressed look as the blonde man made his presence known, ruffling my already messed up bun while I gasped.

Right as James stuck his nose towards the food, Rome was shoving him away with a glare now present on his face.

"What? I was just looking!" He put his hands up in surrender making Rome roll his eyes.

"Feeling better, princess?" James made his way towards me, sitting in the chair next to me.

"Much, thank you for staying with me this past week." I replied quietly, looking at Rome to see his shoulders slightly tense.

I felt really bad for basically ignoring Rome for a week, but I knew it was needed. It gave me enough time to think over everything.

"I'm going to make some coffee, want any?"

"No thanks."

"I'll take some."

"I wasn't asking you, Capo." James smirked at his friend once he heard his response.

(Boss.)

Rome turned towards us, well James, with a mad look on his face, he looked about ready to strangle him.

"James, mi farai perdere la merda in due secondi e poi me la prenderò con te." He bit out, the anger clearly in his voice.

(James, you're going to make me loose my shit in two seconds and then I'm going to take it out on you.)

I really wish I knew Italian so I could understand their conversation.

James turned to me with his mouth agape, like he expected me to protect him or something.

"What?" I asked, "I don't know Italian, don't expect anything from me." Giggling as he frowned and turned towards the cabinets to retrieve two mugs.

But James then pulled out three mugs making me confused. I had said I didn't want anything. I was about to question why he grabbed three but the sound of footsteps had me stopping.

Turning slightly, Elijah emerged dressed in a leather jacket and jeans. He looked like he's been up forever compared to us three. We were all wearing clothes that were considered pajamas.

His eyes snapped to my figure once he caught me staring, making me turn back around in my seat.

He passed by me with a grim look on his face, taking one of the mugs from James without a word.

James scoffed, "No good morning James, how are you?" He exclaimed, narrowing his blue eyes at Elijah.

"No." Elijah pushed James out of the way and went for the coffee maker first.

"What the hell!"

Rome seemed to be ignoring the two, most likely used to their small banters while I thought it was the cutest thing for some reason.

As they continued their tiny bickering, Rome put the now cooked breakfast on plates and in the middle of the table.

Rome worked on my plate first making me blush slightly. He gave me a wink as he handed it to me.

Eventually the two in the corner had stopped. Now we were all sitting at the island with a plate of food and a cup of coffee, except for me who had went with water.

As I ate a forkful of eggs, my eyes flitted between all three of them before I cleared my throat, gaining their attention.

"Thank you," Playing with my thumbs I continued, "For saving me, you put yourself in danger for me, and-and you didn't have to do that."

"You know we'd do anything for you, princess." James said dismissively, chugging down the rest of his coffee.

"I know I just, I never got to say thank you, so thank you." Looking up at Rome who had a resting smile on his face, and then Elijah whose face was blank, but there was the smallest bit of warmth in his grey orbs.

Rome placed his hand on my thigh from the spot he was at next to me, giving it a small squeeze.

"Are you feeling okay after everything?"

The question caught me completely off guard, my mouth parting in surprise.

It actually wasn't the question, it was who it came from.

I moved my head towards Elijah, the one who had asked.

Warmth emerged in my chest from his concern. He didn't usually look like he cared.

"I am now." Smiling brightly at him, I almost passed out when he gave me the tiniest smile in return.

I tried not to think much of it even though I was all jittery inside. Elijah was definitely the toughest to crack, but I was determined to become his friend.

James seemed to be just as shocked as I was as he stared at Elijah while Rome's gaze stayed on me the entire time with a content look on his face.

Rome gave my thigh another squeeze, his silver rings digging into my skin slightly making me all tingly.

After breakfast, the three men cleaned up the kitchen after Rome demanded I stay in my seat.

I complained for the first 5 minutes before Rome turned to me with a raised brow in challenge making me stop.

After everything was cleaned up Rome sent James out to get me a new phone since my last one was lost somewhere on the streets. Elijah simply said he had some 'business' to take care of, which meant mafia related so I didn't question a thing.

I was excited to get a new phone but also worried at the same time. It's been so long since I've seen Izzy and I've missed her so much.

It's also been so long since I've gone to school! I'm definitely way behind.

Though maybe everything would be okay after all of this, but there was one more thing I had to take care of.

Two people that I desperately wanted to see.