Page 28 of Enzo
“Yes, I do. And I’d do it all over again. You don’t get it, piccolo ladro.”
“I’m not who you think, Enzo. I’m sorry. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I was not supposed to fall for you,” I whisper, my eyes dropping to my hands in my lap. He deserves the truth. That much I know.
“Don’t worry. It’s not your fault,” Enzo says. I look up to see that cocky smirk on his face again. “I’m just real easy to fall for, babe.”
I can’t help but smile at him. He’s not wrong. He has been easy to fall for, and I’ve only known him a couple of days. We’ve been on one date. This is insane. Maybe I’m in shock or something. I’m sure I’ll come to my senses eventually.
I shake my head. “I can’t love you.”
“Considering I’m your husband, I should hope that you can,” he tells me.
“We’re not actually married, Enzo. You don’t understand. I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am. Loving you… it doesn’t fit into my plan.”
“Ouch.” Enzo places a hand on his chest, right over where his heart is, and rubs. “Plans aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be.”
A knock at the door interrupts us. My body freezes when Enzo’s father and uncle walk in. I know exactly who these men are. Matteo and Theo Valentino. I have files on them and the crimes they’re suspected of committing. I saysuspectedbecause no one has ever found a way to make the charges stick. That was my job. I was tasked with infiltrating their ranks and finding indisputable evidence.
“Doc’s here,” Matteo says.
“Thanks, Pops.” Enzo pushes to his feet.
“Enzo, a word.” Theo nods towards the door before walking out.
My eyes widen. My panic must be evident because Enzo stops to look at me. “I’ll be right outside. I’ll send the doc in. My father will stay with you. You’re safe here.”
My mouth goes dry. This is not happening right now.
“I hear you’re my new daughter-in-law,” Matteo says, stepping farther into the room.
“I… no.” I shake my head. “We’re not married.”
“Yet.” He shrugs. “What he’s done for you… I hope you understand the risk my son took for you, the danger he put himself into.”
I know that coming after me in that house was dangerous. And I’m thankful nothing happened to Enzo or his family. Not that I’ve heard anyway. “I…”
Great. Now, I’m at a loss for words.
“Don’t hurt him. Do whatever you need to do to find a way to live with all of this. Because my son isn’t going to give you up.” I look up when Matteo pauses. “And I won’t give up my son,” he adds.
“I don’t understand,” I say.
“I think you do. Enzo will leave town with you. He will start over. But we will always be his family. No matter where you go, where you run off to, he will always be a Valentino. You can’t change the blood that runs through his veins any more than he can change whatever you’re thinking in that head of yours.”
The doctor walks in and Matteo steps back.
“Doc, this is Enzo’s new wife. Treat her as if she were my own child,” he tells the old man in a white coat. His words confuse me. And what’s with the wholebeing Enzo’s wifething? How many people did he tell?
“Mrs. Valentino, I wish we were meeting under better circumstances. You can call me Doc. Now how about we take a look at these nasty scratches you got here?”
There’s something oddly soothing about the doctor’s voice. I nod my head. I’m wrapped in Enzo’s jacket. When Doc reaches up to slide the material off my shoulders, I shriek. “No, stop.” My fingers cling to the coat. “Where’s Enzo? I need Enzo.” I move myself farther back on the bed. “I’m okay. I don’t need a doctor.”
Enzo walks back in. And let’s just say he doesn’t have an issue reading the room. “Kayleigh, babe, you have to let the doctor examine you,” he says before kneeling in front of me again.
“No, I’m fine,” I tell him.
“I’ll be right here. Come on, we can do this. You aren’t going to die from some nasty flesh-eating infection. Let Doc treat your wounds. Please.” Enzo stands, picking me up with ease and sitting me on his lap. “I won’t leave. I’ll be right here,” he says.
I look back to where Matteo was standing and find that he’s no longer there. The bedroom door is shut. I glance at Enzo and nod. “Okay.”