Page 8 of Endless Obsession
I grasped his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “The doctor says I’m fine,” I reminded him. “Totally healed up.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Carmen said with genuine warmth. “Stefano and I have been very worried with you two shut up in here. We weren’t sure if you were on your deathbed since Massimo wouldn’t let anyone in to see you.”
Another exaggeration and a slight jab at my dark protector. I was sure that the doctor would’ve kept her informed on my progress; she was his boss. She clearly wasn’t pleased that Massimo had been keeping her locked out of a suite in her own home.
But she had allowed us privacy, so she must’ve sensed that fighting with him would accomplish nothing except upsetting me. Carmen was shrewd as well as caring. She did feel concern for me and possibly something like friendship, but she knew how to navigate tense situations with dangerous men.
“I hope you haven’t been too bored,” she drawled, another pointed remark.
“Not at all.” I defended Massimo. “He’s been teaching me Italian. Now, I’ll be ready to speak the language when we go to Naples.”
Her eyes cut to him. “Are you so keen to go soon?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw for half a second, but he managed a genial smile. “Our business is concluded. Gian and Enzo sent the payment from our end weeks ago. We can all start making money now. It’s time for me to go home and oversee the final aspects of our deal.”
Her dark brows lifted. “And what about your other business here in Mexico City? I was under the impression that it was unfinished.”
I tensed, not caring for their conversation about their criminal empires. Even though I’d accepted this part of Massimo’s life, I didn’t like hearing the details.
His thumb traced soothing circles on my upper arm, but he kept his glinting gaze fixed on Carmen. “I haven’t forgotten about that. I intend to see the job through, but I need to get Evelyn safely to Naples first. I’ll come back to tie up the loose end as soon as she’s settled.”
“What? No,” I protested. I couldn’t bear to be parted from him. My addiction to him should scare me, but I was too lost in our connection to care. And the prospect of being alone in Naples with his mafia associates unnerved me. “I want to stay with you.”
Carmen studied my panicked features. Her crimson-painted lips thinned to a slash as she considered me. Then her sharp gaze cut back to Massimo.
“Go with Evelyn. Stefano and I will handle Crawford.”
My heart skipped a beat. George. My ex-fiancé was the loose end they were discussing. Massimo and Duarte wanted him dead. The prospect made my stomach churn.
Even though I knew I wouldn’t be safe as long as George was alive, having him killed disturbed me. Would I ever become accustomed to this violent world where justice and retribution were dealt out in blood?
“I made a promise,” Massimo countered, his thumb still stroking my arm. “I intend to keep it.”
Carmen dismissed the notion with a flick of her manicured fingers. “And I’m releasing you from that promise. Besides, Stefano will prefer to handle this personally after the brazen attack on our home. Our new business venture is too important for you to linger here.”
“Evelyn won’t be safe until I end Crawford.”
I shifted against him, but he kept his attention fixed on Carmen. His arm tightened around me slightly, a reassuring embrace. He wouldn’t apologize for his intention to eliminate George as a threat, and I didn’t expect him to. I understood him well enough now to know that he would do anything to protect me. I had to trust in him if we were going to be together.
“I am more than capable of defending my own territory,” Carmen said coolly. “Crawford is a threat. I do not tolerate threats.” She tipped her chin in my direction. “Take Evelyn home. I’ll call you when it’s done.”
Home. She was talking about Italy. Naples would be my home now.
My belly fluttered, equal parts trepidation and excitement. I would start a new life with Massimo, but I was also entering the unknown. I would have to rely on him to introduce me to his friends, who were all likely to be criminals. But I knew none of them would ever harm me. I belonged to Massimo.
I leaned into him, conveying my trust and acceptance. I would never make him feel ashamed of who he was. Life had been cruel to him, and he’d done what was necessary to survive.
I’m not a good man. The memory of his anguished words in the wake of his nightmare made my heart squeeze. Massimo might lead a dangerous life, but he wasn’t evil. I would remind him of that every day.
“I’ll leave you two alone to make plans for your trip,” Carmen announced, the matter handled. “I can arrange an overnight flight for you tonight. Will you be ready by then?”
“Yes,” Massimo replied. “Thank you, Carmen. I owe you a debt.”
She gave an imperious wave of her hand again. “We’re friends, Massimo. You don’t owe me anything.”
She sounded like she meant it. Stefano was cold and calculating, but his wife was softer, if no less formidable.
“Take care, Evelyn.” She offered me a warm smile. “Massimo will give you my number, and you can reach out to me at any time.”