You were walking alone in a dark street when suddenly you heard footsteps. You started walking faster, but the stranger was too close.

"Hey, sweetheart," Your stomach twisted. "Where you headed all alone?"

You ignored it, but the man quickened his pace, closing the distance.

"Don’t be like that, I just wanna talk."

Your eyes darted around, searching for an escape. Then you saw him.

Damiano. Standing just a few steps away, lighting a cigarette. You didn’t think. You moved.

"There you are, amore," you called out, your voice forced and sweet, laced with desperation. You reached him quickly, your fingers gripping his wrist. "I was looking for you."

Damiano didn’t even blink. His eyes flickered to you, taking in the fear hidden beneath your forced smile. Then, smoothly, like he had done this a thousand times, he exhaled smoke and pulled you against him.

"Sorry, bambina," he murmured, the rasp in his voice effortless. His arm wrapped around your waist, holding you close. "Didn’t mean to keep you waiting."

The stranger stiffened, eyes darting between the two of you.

"Didn’t know she was taken," the guy mumbled, raising his hands in mock surrender, before backing away, disappearing into the night.

You exhaled sharply, your grip on Damiano tightening for just a second before you realized you were still pressed against him.

His arm lingered at your waist, his thumb brushing absently against your side. "You okay?"

You nodded, swallowing hard.

"You always run into creeps, or was tonight just special?"

You huffed a breathless laugh. "Lucky me, I guess."

Damiano smirked, shaking his head before taking another slow drag of his cigarette. "Next time, just tell them your 'boyfriend' will kiII them," he said, flicking ash to the ground.