[Alfio's Pov]
As I stepped into Salvo's room and shut the door behind me, I stood there… For a long second.
Just breathing.
Not calmly. Not rhythmically.
No—I was breathing like I'd just run a fucking marathon. Like someone had pressed a knife to my chest and whispered, "Run, rabbit."
I leaned against the door, head tilted back, eyes fixed on the ceiling like maybe it had answers. Spoiler: it didn't.
"What the hell is wrong with me…" I muttered.
I didn't know. That was the worst part. I didn't know what the hell this was. This weird ache in my chest. This fucking throbbing that started the second I saw Salvo, bleeding and calm like death itself.
Something in me had clenched.
Not fear. No. I wasn't afraid of him anymore. I am just used. I was afraid for him.
And that? That pissed me off more than anything.
"It's not pain," I told myself. "It's heat. It's just hot these days, that's all. Too damn humid. Everyone's losing it. Even the AC's sweating."
Right.
Good. Logical.
