I wake up to Enzo watching me. He's standing by the door. I rub my eyes and pull the covers up to shield my chest from him. When did I fall asleep? What time is it now? How long has he been standing there like some creep? "What do you want?" I ask. He responds, "It isn't safe for you here during the day anymore, not without someone around you to protect you. Aurelio has things to do. I'm taking you someplace else."I sit up. If he even thinks of taking me back to Giotto, I won't go. I'd rather stay here and risk getting killed. "I thought you said there wasn't anywhere else safe. Where do you plan on taking me?"He pushes himself off the doorframe and turns his back to me. "Just get dressed."I take my time. I'm in no hurry. I take a shower, detangle my hair, then pick out a comfortable outfit. Sweatpants, tennis shoes, an oversized pale pink hoodie I found lying at the bottom of the suitcase. I don't remember seeing it that day, but those assistants at that store must've added it.
I'm waiting by his car. He's taking an eternity in there. Maybe he's with Flavia, laughing about how much of a fool I am. I am a fool. After everything I've been through, all the horrors I've faced, I'm bothered because Enzo said he would discard me. But isn't that what I want? I want him to leave me alone. I wish I had never met him. So why am I offended? Why did that insignificant word cut me in half? Although I feel sorry for Flavia, it isn't because Enzo doesn't love her back. It's evident that he doesn't. It's because she's crazy in love with him, but she's making excuses about her family name. Maybe that's what her brothers are fighting for, but not her. She wants his love and affection. She wanted to buy me a ticket out of this mess so she wouldn't have any competition. She can rest assured. I'm not competition. As soon as it's convenient to him, he'll leave me. Discard. I scoff. It seems he treats every woman in his life like trash, especially the ones he has no affection
He comes into the room to give me an ice pack. I stare at it in his hand. "But the doctor didn't say anything about ice."Enzo makes an impatient sound at the back of his throat. "It's for the bruise on your cheek. I don't care what they say. Ice helps, I've been using it for years."I take it from him and press it to my cheek. I didn't even know I had a bruise there. I'm much calmer now that all of that mess is behind us. Sometimes, though, when I think about how close they got to abducting me, chills race down my spine. Nowhere is safe, and this has fueled my paranoia. Thinking about who might have sent those men is pointless. I can't imagine myself walking through the streets without looking over my shoulder, or even leading a normal life. Will I always be persecuted by Mafias and old family feuds? All I've ever wanted was a peaceful life. "How are you feeling?" he asks. I shrug. "I'm tired of this. It's exasperating.""We don't know who those men were. I'd stay there to questio
I've been in and out of consciousness for a few days.Enzo refused to take me to a hospital, because he doesn't believe it's safe. Whoever tried to kidnap me could still be out there, and that person is probably the same person who sent that young man to kill him. Well, that's what he thinks. So there's been a doctor coming to see me, and I feel much better today. The wound on my neck got infected, but it's all been taken care of. I'm recovering.As for the issue between Enzo and I, we haven't talked about it.I get uncomfortable every time he comes into the room. I haven't looked him in the eyes in days. He's looking for confirmation in mine and I can't give that to him. I can't love him. I can't bring myself to love him. It's just the way it is. Enzo enters the room carrying a bowl of soup. I take it from him and mutter a 'thank you'. It's rich and delicious. I have one spoonful after the other. He's still in the room watching me, and I don't know what to make of it, so I keep my e
Enzo will be arriving tomorrow.That's what Aurelio told me when I walked into the kitchen. He was looking at me to try to see my reaction, but I offered none. He turned back to the stove and flipped the omelet. I sat down at the kitchen counter after pouring myself some coffee. I've had a few days to think about everything, and I'm sticking firm to my decision. The truth is, I don't know what I feel for Enzo, but I do feel something. I'll acknowledge that, at least. Is it enough to surpass everything he's done and said to me? No, absolutely not. So is it significant? Also not. If Enzo decides to come back from wherever he is and keep adding pressure, I'll just tell him how I feel about this whole situation. We're in no position to develop any sort of feeling for each other. The sooner he resolves his issue with Giotto, by killing him I mean, we can get out of each other's lives. We won't ever have to see each other again and we'll forget this ever happened. Am I afraid of going o
I wake up with someone tapping my arm. I scrunch my eyes before opening them, and I find Enzo staring at me. What is he doing in my room so early in the morning? I was glad that he hadn't mentioned anything, please don't tell me he wants to talk about it now. "Enzo?" "Aurelio left. You're stuck with me for the rest of the day."I suppress a groan. Not again. "Can't I stay behind?" I promised myself that he'd have to drag me out of this apartment if he ever intended on making me spend the day with him, but I've realized that it isn't worth the effort. I don't want to have to fight him. In about a week, I'll be free of him anyway. "You know that isn't an option. Come on, get dressed. I'm already late." Late for what? He leaves me alone and I shower quickly, then dress up. I tie my hair in a bun and meet him in the living room. I ask, "Where are we going?" "To pick up some things." We leave the apartment, but this time Enzo doesn't give the men in the lobby a day off. He tells them
He parks the car in front of a restaurant.I raise a brow. "Are you meeting someone here?""I know that you haven't had breakfast. I can't drive you around on an empty stomach. Come on, let's go inside."I don't know what to make of this. My fingers tremble slightly as I open my door and climb out. He's concerned about my well-being? Since when? He's really starting to freak me out. We both enter the restaurant and my mouth waters instantly. It smells like a piece of heaven in here. This place isn't as chic as that bar we went to last time. There's a homey feel to it, like I'm sitting right in my mother's kitchen. From the dark wooden tables to the small metal chairs, everything about it screams rustic, comfort food. There are some framed Polaroids of smiling families. I'm at ease here. A waitress walks over to us and hands us the menu. Everything looks delicious, I don't know what to order. I look up and he appears to be equally as torn as I am. I ask, "Have you been here before?"
We're out of the house at eight AM sharp. Once we're in the car—a brand new Lexus, not the car we drove in yesterday—he says, "I have to meet some guys today. We'll be discussing the grand day." He likes to call it that. I hope he's right. I hope it'll be the day all of our suffering ends. I ask, "Won't Aurelio be there?" "No, he's busy with something else."He stops by a nearby bar and buys coffee and pastries for breakfast. It's all so delicious that I moan as I take a bite. I thought I wouldn't have an appetite after yesterday. I was dead wrong. The drive isn't long. I still have my cup of coffee when we park in front of a hotel. "You're meeting in a public place?" He says, "It isn't a problem. Giotto doesn't have eyes everywhere."The interior looks like every other hotel I've ever been to. Dark wooden reception, red carpeted floor, a small lobby. Enzo turns to me and says, "Wait here. I'll give the guys a call."I nod and he walks away. The lobby is practically empty, so I