Page 105 of Irreplaceable
I clenched my fists but tried to remain calm. I wasn’t aware of what they’d said, but I didn’t need to know. It was a distraction, and it didn’t matter. But it did to Harper. I kept having to remind myself that she was new to this life. That it was an adjustment and perhaps an unwanted one.
I lifted a shoulder. “It wouldn’t matter who you were, they’d try to break you down. You have to ignore it.”
“It’s just… It’s hard sometimes, you know?” She twisted her hands together, her eyes on the floor.
She sniffled, and I pulled her into a hug. Her words were muffled by my chest. “Sometimes I wish you were a normal guy with a normal job.”
I swiped my thumbs to catch her tears. “It won’t always be this way, uccellina.”
Though, the attention had increased even more after we’d announced the pregnancy, plus the Leatherbacks had qualified for the playoffs. And it was only going to get worse with the World Cup coming up.
She nodded. “I know. And I love how passionate you are about soccer.” I smiled. She’d attended nearly all my home games, and I loved knowing she was watching from the stands.
She stood and straightened.
“You good?” I asked.
“I will be.”
We shopped a while longer, and she seemed to relax. At least until it was time to leave. A crowd had gathered out front, and as we headed out to the car, they shouted questions that I mostly ignored.
But then one of them called, “Hey! I didn’t know your baby mama used to be a stripper.”
What the hell?
I stopped and stared at the guy, hoping he could read the threat in my eyes. “What did you say?”
“Enzo, come on. Don’t worry about it,” Harper said, tugging on my arm.
“No. He is disrespecting you, and I will not stand for it.”
“It’s fine.” She tugged again. “He’s just trying to bait you about my pole dancing.”
“Yeah. We saw a video.” The guy let out a low whistle. “Damn.”
That was it. I saw red. I whirled on him and shoved him on the ground. “Don’t you dare—” I leaned over and reared back to punch him, even as he covered his face “—talk about her that way. Do you hear me?”
“Enzo!” Harper pulled on my arm. “Enzo, stop! Please.”
Rage pumped through my veins. These fuckers got away with murder. They’d killed my dad, and I would not let them hurt Harper.
“Enzo.” Harper’s voice was calmer. “Smettila.”
I stood and straightened. And only then realized how many people were watching us. Cazzo.
The security team ushered us into the car and sped away from the shop. I shouldn’t have done that. I shouldn’t have— I glanced over at Harper, suddenly realizing how quiet she was.
“Are you okay?” I asked. She worried her lip and shook her head, looking as if she were about to cry. “I’m sorry. They shouldn’t be allowed to talk to you like that.”
“I don’t care about that!” She threw her hands in the air. “You should’ve ignored him. What if he presses charges? What if—” Her skin was flushed with color, and I placed my hand over hers.
“Breathe, Harper.” I inhaled slowly and exhaled, trying to push away my concerns. Trying to help her relax. She was too stressed. It was too much. “Breathe.”
She regulated her breathing and then massaged her temples. “I hate this.”
“So do I, but I can’t change it.”
She clenched her jaw and stared straight ahead, arms crossed over her chest. I didn’t like seeing her stressed. I liked being the cause of it even less. Something had to give.