Chapter 13
JENNA
I’ve been on edge ever since Cassia left. I almost begged her to stay longer but I just couldn’t get the words out.
After cleaning and taking the opportunity to make sure there really isn’t anyone hiding in the house, I stop in front of the one room I’m not allowed to go into.
Rules be damned.
I open the door and cautiously step inside.
I swear, if someone jumps out from behind the bed, my soul will up and leave my body.
I hurry forward and quickly check behind the bed before looking in the bathroom. When I enter the walk-in closet, a frown forms on my forehead.
There are no clothes or any signs that someone uses this room.
Did my employer take all his belongings with him?
I leave the room and shut the door behind me again. Feeling confused, I go to my bedroom and this time I lock my door to make sure no one can come in while I’m sleeping.
Well, unless they break it down, which I’ll hear.
Needing to relax, I grab my phone from where it’s charging next to my bed and go to the bathroom. I open the faucets, and while water pours into the tub, I strip out of my clothes.
Once there’s enough water, I get in and try to unwind while watching a new show. Struggling to get into it, I eventually give up and set the phone down on the floor beside the tub.
There’s only one thing that will take my mind off the creepy experience from last night.
Mr. Oliveira.
It’s been eleven days since I saw him last, and I still think about him every day.
Honestly, I miss him, and I know if he was here, I’d feel safe, and that’s saying a lot.
I wish I had his phone number.
I snort, because even if I had it, I wouldn’t have the guts to call him.
Closing my eyes, I picture running into him at a store. He’d be happy to see me, and my heart would flutter. We’d go for coffee somewhere, and I’d finally speak to him.
What would I say?
I think for a moment before I admit to myself that I probably wouldn’t say anything because just being in his presence is overwhelming. I’d be way too shy.
But if I could say something?
I’d admit that I like him and would like to get to know him better.
Letting out a sigh, I sit up and grab the body wash. One good thing about living here, I don’t even have to buy toiletries. Everything is provided by my elusive employer.
What if it was him who came into my room last night?
What if he’s some perverted creep who’s been watching me?
No. I can’t believe Cassia will allow something like that to happen. She’s become my friend and wouldn’t do that to me.
After getting dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt, I untie my hair and brush the strands. My gaze locks on my reflection in the mirror, and I notice I’ve picked up weight and there aren’t dark circles beneath my eyes anymore.
Maybe it was only my imagination. I’ve had vivid nightmares before where it felt like the four men who raped me were in my bedroom.
But last night wasn’t like that.
Still, it could just be my overactive imagination.
Things have been amazing since I started working here. I can eat whatever I want. I don’t have to interact with people I don’t like. I’ve made a friend.
God, I’ve made a friend. That alone is a miracle, never mind the pay.
I counted the money in the handbag, and there were another three thousand dollars. The money is currently shoved in between my mattress and the base of the bed.
I should go into town and deposit it into my bank account, but that would mean I have to leave the house.
I’ll ask Cassia if I’m allowed to take time off when she comes over tomorrow.
I set down the brush, and picking up my phone, I leave the bathroom and crawl into bed.
Knowing sleep won’t come easily tonight, I once again try to get into the K-drama.
ENZO
Checking the security feed from the lakehouse, I see Jenna is still awake, watching something on her phone.
Just do it.
Instead of turning left at an intersection, I go right toward Tower.
You don’t have to tell her everything tonight, just that you own the house and want a better life for her.
I’m sure she’ll be okay with that, and it won’t freak her out. Once I’ve made her fall in love with me, I can tell her the rest.
Happy with the plan, I press down on the gas, wanting to get to the lakehouse before she falls asleep.
A mile or so up the road, bikers come from the opposite side, and I quickly lean forward and pull my gun out from behind my back.
I count seven men, and as they get close enough, they raise their weapons and open fire, but only two of the bullets slam into the SUV.
I floor the gas, playing chicken with the idiots, and at the last minute, they all swerve to avoid me, which is a pity. I would’ve enjoyed running them over.
I stop the SUV, and shoving the door open, I climb out and return fire.
I hit two of the men before they start shooting at me again. One of the bastards gets in a lucky shot, the bullet slamming into my side.
I glance down, then look back up again, shaking my head. Done playing around, I fire off one shot after the other until all seven lie dead in the road.
Getting back into the SUV, I start the engine and speed away from the crime scene, the tires screeching.
I check my side, and it’s only then that the pain starts to register. Angry, I pick up my phone and call Santiago.
“Hey. Are you on your way?” he asks. “We’re getting pizza.”
“No. I had a run-in with the MC and left seven bodies in the middle of the road.”
“Are you okay?”
I glance down at the blood staining my entire left side. “I’m fine. Just a fleshwound.”
“Send me the location of the bodies. I’ll have everything cleaned up.”
“What if the police get to the scene before you?” I ask.
“Oh no, I’m not going there.” Santiago chuckles. “I’m just going to bribe everyone to turn a blind eye. After all, you did do the good people of Aurora a favor by taking out some of the trash littering the streets.”
“If you say so.”
“I’ll send men. If there’s no one on the scene, I’ll have them clear the bodies and bikes.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you going to the hospital?” he asks.
“No. I’ll remove the bullet myself. It won’t be the first time.”
“So, you’re coming here?”
“No. I’m going to the lakehouse. I won’t be back at the motel for a while.”
“Oooh. Finally going to sit down and have a talk with Jenna. Cassia will be happy to hear that.”
“Whatever,” I grumble.
“Talk to you later, brother. Have her kiss your wound better.”
Shaking my head, I end the call as I turn up the driveway that leads to the house.
When I stop the SUV and get out, Oscar hurries closer, and seeing the blood on my clothes, he asks, “Are you okay, sir?”
“It’s nothing,” I reply. “But get rid of this SUV.”
“Will do.”
I check the security footage on my phone, and seeing Jenna has fallen asleep, I let out a sigh.
Just as well. Me bleeding all over the place probably wouldn’t make a good impression on her.
I walk to the front door and let myself in so I can clean up.
“Foda-se,” I curse, and stepping back outside, I glance at Oscar and order, “Have one of the men go to the motel to pack my clothes.”
“Yes, sir.”
I’ll have to lie low here for a few days until we’re sure the police aren’t searching for me. Getting arrested is the last thing I have time for right now.
I shut the front door before going to the kitchen, where I grab the roll of paper towels and a butter knife.
Taking a seat at the island, I shrug off my jacket, and it makes a sharp pain shoot through my side.
I clench my jaw while I quickly undo the buttons of my vest and shirt before taking them off, and using my shirt to wipe up most of the blood.
Oscar comes into the kitchen, then asks, “Can I help?”
“Sure,” I grunt. “Dig the bullet out.”
He washes his hands and glances around. “Do you have a first aid kit?”
I gesture at nothing specific. “Not sure. Look around.”
Oscar opens all the cupboards, and lucky for me, he finds one in the pantry.
He sets the bag down on the island and removes a bottle of alcohol from it. “This is going to burn.”
“Just do it,” I growl.
He pours some of the contents over the wound, and I clench my teeth again when it feels like he’s lighting a match to my skin.
It takes Oscar a few minutes to dig the damn bullet out, and by the time he sets it down on the granite top, a fine layer of sweat coats my body.
Just as he takes a needle from the first aid kit, I hear a gasp, and my eyes snap to the doorway.
Jenna’s staring at us, shock tightening her features.
“Get out,” I tell Oscar.
Jenna misunderstands, and swinging around, she darts into the hallway.
“Merda!” I shoot to my feet, and not caring that I’m still bleeding, I set after her. “Jenna!”
I catch up to her in the foyer and grab hold of her arm. She spins around, her eyes wide with a mixture of confusion, fear, and worry.
“Not you. I was talking to Oscar,” I explain.
Just then, the guard hurries past us and lets himself out of the house.
Her gaze widens as it locks on my side, then an inaudible sound sputters from her. The next instant, she drags me back to the kitchen. Panic flares over her face as she looks at all the bloody antiseptic wipes and paper towels.
“Don’t panic,” I say. “I’m fine.”
Her eyes snap to me, and a heartbreaking expression tightens her beautiful features, then she shakes her head and grabs more towels. Hurrying back to me, she presses them gently to my side, and her breaths start to come faster as she wildly glances around us.
I take hold of her chin and force her to look at me. “I’m fine. Stop panicking. It’s just a flesh wound.”
She sucks in deep breaths while still keeping the paper towels pressed to my side.
“I just need to close up the wound, then we can sit down and talk. Okay?”
She nods again, her eyes still wide on me.
I let go of her chin and place my hand over hers. “You can let go. I’m not going to bleed out.”
Her eyebrows pull together in the same heartbreaking expression she had a few minutes ago.
She removes her hand from beneath mine, and I quickly walk to the island. I keep my wounded side turned away from her, as I pick up the needle and thread.
Clenching my jaw, I push the needle through my skin. The tiny pricks don’t hurt as much as removing the bullet did, and when I’m finally done, I go to the sink to wash the blood off my hands. When I turn around, Jenna’s still rooted to the spot where I left her.
I take another antiseptic wipe from the kit and clean around the wound before sticking a bandage over the site.
Gathering all the bloody materials, I throw them in the trash, then pick up my shirt, vest, and jacket.
Done, I meet Jenna’s eyes. “Hi.”
Her lips part, but no sound comes out. Instead, she shakes her head at me, giving me an incredulous look while throwing her arms open in a what-the-hell gesture.
So much for easing her into your world. Good job, fucking things up, Enzo.