Page 7 of Endless Obsession

The stars danced in her eyes. “I’ve seen who you are. You’ve shown me so many times. You always do what you think is right. You’re loyal to the people you care about, and you protect innocent people. You’re not cruel or callous.”

“I’m a dangerous man,” I warned her.

“I know,” she replied evenly. “That doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

I placed my hand over her heart.

How do you feel about me? I barely kept the question locked in my chest. I loved this woman, and the prospect that she didn’t share the depth of my feelings unnerved me. In time, she would love me as I loved her. I wouldn’t settle for anything less than soul-deep devotion. She was already addicted to my touch, and I knew she felt affection for me. That was enough for now.

Soon, we would start our new life together in Italy. I would help Gian and Enzo with their coup. And I would be powerful and wealthy enough to keep Evelyn safe and blissfully happy.

She would love me. She didn’t have a choice.

Chapter 4

Evelyn

Four Weeks Later

“How is she?” Massimo asked the doctor, his silver eyes dark with worry.

“I feel fine,” I promised, drawn to ease his concern. “I haven’t felt so much as a twinge of pain for days.”

“That’s good,” the doctor approved before turning his attention to Massimo. “She’s made a full recovery. She can return to a normal routine.”

I cleared my throat, not caring for how he was addressing Massimo and not me. “Like I said, I feel fine,” I reiterated coolly.

The doctor simply nodded. “I’m satisfied that there won’t be any lasting damage. Initially, I was concerned about potential fertility issues, but everything has healed nicely. It would be wise to check with your own physician when you get home if you want to do further tests for peace of mind.”

My brain tripped over the thought. I’d been shot on my right side, low toward my hip. I’d been informed that the bullet had missed my major organs, but I hadn’t thought about my fertility being impacted.

Fear pulsed through me at the prospect that I might not be able to have a family with Massimo.

Did I want to have Massimo’s baby? I’d always wanted a child of my own, someone to love unconditionally, the way I’d never been loved.

I took a quick breath and pushed the thought away. It was far too soon to contemplate starting a family with him, no matter how tempting the idea was. Something like yearning tugged at my heart.

I leaned into his chest, wrapping my arms around him so that I could feel his heartbeat beneath my ear. It was the most reassuring sound in the world.

The doctor excused himself discretely, leaving us alone in the bedroom. For a moment, I expected Massimo to sweep me up in a fierce, desperate kiss.

But his phone chimed, shattering the tender moment.

He checked the message and muttered a low curse.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, worry nipping at me.

He stroked my hair. “No, dolcezza. We’re about to have a visitor.”

Fifteen minutes later, Carmen beamed at me as she settled into the plush armchair across from the couch where we were seated.

“It’s so good to see you, Evelyn. Massimo has been keeping you well guarded.” She shot him an exaggerated pout. “He wouldn’t let me visit until today.”

He draped his strong arm over me and tucked me close to his side. I leaned into him, sighing in contentment.

“He’s been taking good care of me,” I told the cartel queen. “I’m all better now.”

He dropped a kiss on the top of my head. “You still need to be careful with yourself, farfallina.”