Chapter 43 Enzo
ENZO
The day before the christening party, I go to bed hoping I'll get a full night of sleep. I barely doze off when I feel someone slide under the sheets next to me.
I jerk awake to see Allegra looking at me seductively, her tongue sneaking out to lick her lips as her gaze roams over my naked chest.
"Go back to sleep, Allegra," I tell her, not in the mood for anything. She pouts, moving toward me until her hand is over my chest and trailing down.
Catching it, I push her away.
"I told you to go back to sleep." Why is it that I look at her and yet don't feel anything?
"You don't want me anymore?" She peers at me from beneath her lashes as she tries to put on a hurt expression.
"You're still healing," I reply curtly, not wanting to dwell too much on my lack of attraction toward her, or the fact that she feels like a complete stranger.
"Go to sleep," I repeat.
"I can make you feel good." Her hand goes for my pants, but I catch her wrist mid-air, tightening my grip around her hand until she's wincing in pain.
"What did you not understand when I said go to sleep? Now!" I fling her off the bed, and she seems to get the message as she scrambles off, her nostrils flaring at me.
Fucking hell, how is this my Allegra?
That's my last thought as exhaustion claims me and I fall asleep.
The following day, the party is in full swing, with relatives I've never even heard of, all coming to kiss my cheeks and congratulate me on my son. But what I hate the most is that Luca is being paraded around like a goddamn object.
Even though I have to interact with everyone, including the Russians, my eyes follow Mrs. Marshall as she carries Luca from guest to guest.
"I need to speak to Vlad," I tell his second-in-command when I see him. As the new Pakhan, Vlad is the only one who can make the decisions regarding the merchandise, and as such, the only person I need to convince.
"He's in the garden," he says, and I give him a nod before going in search of Vlad.
There are too many people in here, so it takes me a while to get outside. It's still winter, and I don't see why anyone would willingly go outside in this weather. But as I open the door to the garden, I hear a familiar voice.
"He won't even know," she says, and as I take a few more steps, I get a clear image of the situation at hand.
Allegra is standing a little too close to Vlad, her hands playing at his belt.
"What the fuck?" I mutter after I make sure my vision isn't playing any tricks on me.
Vlad pushes her out of his way.
"You should teach your wife some manners. She's not exactly…housebroken," he adds wryly, and I let my rage loose as I punch him right in the face.
"Fuck, Agosti, careful," his hands fly to his nose. "Plastic surgery is expensive." His nonchalance only fuels my anger further, so I jump on him, punching away.
This time, he expects it and starts defending himself, landing a few blows of his own on my face and stomach. It's only when my father has men pulling us apart that we stop.
"I guess the deal's off?" Vlad wipes some of the blood from his face, his eyes darkening as he stares at it. He doesn't wait for anyone's reply as he says, "I thought so," before he shrugs and leaves.
My father quickly follows, intent on fixing whatever damage I've made, but my thoughts are only centered on Allegra—and her fucking audacity.
She's cowering in a corner, and when she notices me stalking toward her, she takes a few steps back, hitting the wall.
"Care to tell me what that was?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at her.
She's trembling, and I'm not sure whether from fear or the cold, but as I get closer, she averts her face.
I grab her chin, forcing her to look at me.
"I wanted to make you jealous," she whispers, but I have a hard time believing her.
"Is that so? Well, you succeeded. Also, you ruined a million-dollar deal," I spit out, clenching my fists by my sides.
Taking a deep breath, I step away from her, going back to the party. I'm afraid that if I see her in front of me again, I might snap and really hurt her.
Over the next few days, I immerse myself in a new routine, visiting maman with Luca and getting acquainted with the restaurant business—or rather, what hides behind it. I try to ignore Allegra as much as possible, blaming myself and my behavior for her acting out.
How is it that not even a month ago, I'd been by her bedside as she breastfed Luca, her face reflecting an indescribable happiness. And now? She can barely stand to look at him.
I try my best to fill the gap left by his mother, still hoping she'll come around at some point.
I may have led her to her boiling point.
Looking back at our relationship and all our interactions, I can't help but feel I could have done better—confided in her more, gotten her to see just how much I care for her.
You reap what you sow.
How many chances has she given me in the past, with me continually screwing everything up? I'd hurt her, humiliated her, and stripped her of her freedom. All to satisfy this insane hunger I have for her—to know she's near me at all times, away from danger or temptation.
Then why is it that seeing her with Vlad hadn't affected me the way it used to? I refuse to believe it had been the million-dollar deal standing in the way of Vlad and a bullet. No… something's off.
Getting back home, I leave Luca with Mrs. Marshall so she can see to his meal, and I go down to my office, intent on getting some work done.
I'm close to the door when I hear the noises. Moans. Loud, shrieky moans coming from my office.
Fucking hell!
I'd told my father numerous times to keep his whores in the city, not at home. And definitely not in my office.
My hand is on the doorknob, ready to interrupt the merry party, when I hear her voice.
"Harder!"
Pushing the door open, I stare in shock at Allegra, naked, bent over my office desk, with one of the guards pumping in and out of her.
His hands are digging into her hips as he fucks her raw, his dick thrusting aggressively in and out of her.
There's only one fate—for both of them.
I take out my gun and aim. First, at the disloyal son of a bitch.
He grunts, his hand clutching at his chest where a red spot of blood is forming.
Allegra screams, a grating shrill that makes me want to prolong her death even more. Because that's exactly what she deserves for killing my heart.
An eye for an eye.
She jerks away from the dead body, and my lip curls in disgust as I see dried cum on the inside of her thighs.
How many times? How many people has she fucked?
Between my guilt and Luca, I'd only wanted to give her space. And this is how she repays me?
I raise my gun, aiming straight for her forehead. She's bawling her eyes out at this point, not even bothering to hide her nakedness.
She drops to her knees in front of me, begging me to spare her, thousands of empty promises crossing her lips.
My eyes are bleak, my entire soul ripped apart as I stare at her.
I stoop low, wrapping my hand around her throat, the barrel of my gun connecting with her temple.
"I'm so-so-sorry," she hiccups, her eyes cloudy with tears. I dig the gun deeper into her head, a burning need to rip her limb from limb and set her on fire growing inside me.
Her hands start pushing at my arm, and it's only then—by chance—that I look down at her bare shoulders.
My eyes widen for a moment, and I blink twice, wanting to make sure I'm not seeing wrong.
No scar.
No scar from the bullet she'd taken in Malta.
My gaze trails back to her face, and I look at her, stupefied.
How is this possible?
There's no other difference save for the lack of a scar….
I fling her from me, determined to get to the root of this.
"Luca saved you. I won't leave my son without a mother," I lie, watching her pitiful form coil back in fear. "Next time you fuck someone, don't do it in the house, and don't let me see it."