Dalia's POV

Vittore Martinelli was an anomaly.

He's honest... well as much as he could be, I'd defied him more times than I'm sure most have and I'm still breathing and I couldn't read him.

Right now, he knelt on one knee in front of me, one of his hands on my calf and the other on my thigh, twisting my leg to get a better view of the wound I'd professionally stitched. Everywhere his hands touched sent tingles through my body and it suddenly became a little too hot in here.

Goosebumps had risen on my skin and I hoped he didn't see them but with the way his body was tense, I'd say his mind was a little too preoccupied.

"We should get back to Faye," I said, wanting anything to get him away from me. I didn't like my body's response to his presence.

Vittore glanced up, his dark eyes meeting with my own and I was sure I had the most innocent look on my face despite the turmoil my body was in. He stood up and I was about to do the same when his hands came around the back of my legs and back. Vittore lifted me in his arms and I lopped one of my hands around his neck so I couldn't fall. The bloody fucker was tall!

"I can walk on my own thank you," I grumbled trying to get my feet on the ground again but Vittore held me closer making my stomach flutter and I did not like that.

"Either you let me take you like this or over my shoulder," the Italian mumbled.

I was taking my chances.

Wiggling in his grip again I tried to make my feet touch the floor but I think Vittore knew what was running through my mind because the next thing I knew, my body was twisting in his grasp until I found myself over his shoulder.

Vittore was careful not to damage my left side and I didn't know whether to be grateful or curse him out. The latter seemed like a better option. I rested my hands on the small of his muscular back that was hidden behind his dark articles of clothing. I made sure to avoid all contact with his... behind.

Vittore started walking and as we went down the hall, I pushed myself up so my hands rested on his back and tried sliding out of the grip he had around my legs. I wasn't some doll he could just throw around. My whole body dropped and surprise filled me when I felt a smack on my ass.

"Did you just-"

"Behave tesoro," Vittore grumbled.

"Oh you have the bloody nerve..." I continued to rant under my breath, cursing him out in a few chosen languages as we went back to the car but let my body hung limp because I did not want to get hit again. What I didn't understand is why I didn't mind it that much.

When we got to the car, Vittore opened the door and set me in the back and closed it. I looked up at Faye who had a secretive smile on her face.

"What?" I asked my eyes narrowing when her smile widened.

"Oh nothing," Faye said, turning back to the front just as Vittore got into the car. I fastened my seatbelt because you never know when anything can happen and Vittore drove out of the parking lot and onto the main road. I leaned against the window and looked out at the street as he drove.

"Where are we going?" Faye asked Vittore.

"The penthouse," he answered simply and Faye hummed, me the only one who was lost.

A dull ache had started in my head and I closed my eye to ease the pain. I tried not to think of it but since last night, after Faye had cut my luscious curls that I missed dearly, my hands and feet had gone cold.

I held my fingers together in my lap, trying to get as much heat as they can. My medication was back in the mansion and I knew I had to get more. But the question was... how? My head was to fuzzy for me to think of anything and I was trying hard to keep my breathing even with Vittore around.

He already knew I was sick but he didn't know what it was and I'd take that to my grave. The soothing movements of the car caused me to fall in and out of consciousness. I wasn't keen on keeping my body vulnerable in any situation.

The car stopped and my eyes opened almost immediately, looking around. We had stopped at... a restaurant? What...?

"Do you want anything Dalia?" Faye asked causing me to frown for a second. Did Vittore even have cash? I had some stuffed in my pocket but...

"Uh... water with ice. Lots of it," I said licking my dry lips. It wasn't healthy for me to be taking ice right now but I really really wanted some.

Vittore sighed and jumped out of the car. As soon as he was gone, I slipped out too much to Faye's protest.

"I'll be right back," I told her through the window, glancing around. I had to find a pharmacy.

"Hurry," was all Faye said and I nodded, quickly limping away from the car. I saw a homeless guy on the road and went over to him.

"Hey dude. Is there a clinic or pharmacy somewhere around here?" I asked and the guy's dull brown eyes went over to me. He looked me up and down, clearly unsure. I pulled a twenty dollar bill out of my pocket and waved it in the air.

"Tell me where the health centers are around this place..." I said slower as his eyes followed the bill I was swinging.

"There's a small hospital just around the corner," he said, his gloved fingers reaching for the bill but I pulled it back.

"You sure because if it isn't there, I'm going to fuck you up," I said completely serious. The odds where like one in a million.

"Yeah yeah just around that corner," he responded, pointing to the left side of the street. I looked up and sighed, throwing him the bill.

I started speed walking there as fast as I could because God knows when Vittore will be out. I turned the corner and there it was. Small hospital my ass. This place was bigger than I'd hoped. I still walked through the main doors and to the reception where a nurse was seated.

"Hey," I said tapping on the desk. She looked up and her eyes settled on my bloody clothes and they widened. She opened her mouth, probably to fuss over me but I beat her to it. "Iron tablets and come contraceptive pills to last a long while."

It was best if I got the pills to lighten my flow. I didn't need to be losing anymore blood than I currently was and if my calculations were correct, next week was going to be a bitch.

"I'm sorry. I can't just-"

"How much do you want?" I asked staring her straight in the eye. She seemed to flatter. "Come on, name the price."

"Two hundred," the nurse whispered leaning in. Hungry aren't we?

"Done," I said and pulled out the money I had left, counting the two hundred and slapping it on the desk. She glanced around, reaching for it but I pulled my cash back.

"The pills," I demanded glaring at her and she cursed.

"Wait here. I'll be back," she mumbled, glancing around. I nodded, concealing the notes in my hands as she walked away from the station and down the hall. I tapped my finger on the desk, people sending me glances as they passed but not really saying anything.

This whole place just reminded me of the time I'd come with Violet and her mom. She wanted to be a doctor to help people like me. I wonder how that was going on for her. It wasn't long until the nurse returned, handing me a white bag. I opened it and made sure what I needed was there before putting the cash in her hands and walking away.

I quickly limped out of the hospital, my head beginning to ache something fierce. My heart was beating painfully in my chest but I had to make it back to the car. It seemed like I dragged my whole body to the car and when I slipped in, I let out a breath but winced, holding my chest.

I hid the bag behind my back as I tried to regain my breath and stop my heart from trying to freaking kill me. Tears gathered in my eyes, one flowing down my cheek involuntarily. I had pull myself together. Vittore couldn't find me like this.

I slightly opened my eyes to see Faye who watched me, completely panicked.

"I'm fine," I forced out, trying to ease her worry but I was lying.

I was fucking dying here.

I wiped the fallen tear off my cheek, screwing all breathing routines I'd learnt and gasping for breath, my lungs burning. I felt a hand rubbing soothing circles on my back and I used the contact as something to focus on as I got into some type of rhythm. After a while, my breathing wasn't so bad.

"Vittore's coming," Faye said and I immediately sat up, making it seem like everything was completely fine as my body screamed. Faye did the same and I was so grateful.

The door was opened and Vittore slid in, closing it while handing his mother a bag. A to go cup filled with juice was held out to me. I took it from Vittore, my questioning eyes on the back of his head when he turned.

I asked for ice!

Ice!

The juice was room temperature. Not even cold.

I wanted to hate him for it but I found my chest filling with gratitude. Eating and chewing a lot of ice had been a problem when I was younger and it was actually a sign of iron deficiency anaemia. Do I have regrets? No. The thing was, I had to take my tablets on an empty stomach, preferably with vitamin C because it helps with the absorption.

I sipped on the juice and the sweet taste of oranges filled my tastebuds. Vitamin C check.

I glared at Vittore through the review mirror because he'd helped and I was happy he did. What was he playing at and why did my heart skip a fucking beat?