Chapter 16
JENNA
Having my arm wrapped around Enzo’s back is doing very weird things to my heart. The organ is beating wildly in my chest, and it’s not because of fear.
I try to ignore the overwhelming reaction I have to him, but it’s like a constant buzzing of energy.
At the top of the stairs, he stumbles, and I stagger to the side while trying to keep him from falling, but he’s so much bigger than I am, and his weight pushes me against the wall.
His hand smacks beside my head to steady himself, then he looks down, and the air wooshes from my lungs. Being crowded in by his muscled body, his bare chest inches away from my face, I blush something fierce while almost swallowing my tongue from the huge gulp I take.
“Sorry,” he murmurs, his tone low and deep.
Tingles spread over every inch of me, and my heart beats even faster. Only then do I realize my palm is squashed flat over his stomach from trying to catch him, and I quickly lower it.
Enzo rights himself on his feet, and when he sways, I forget about my shyness and grab hold of him. We move slowly toward the main bedroom, and after I help him inside, he slumps down on the side of the bed.
“I don’t think I can shower,” he says. “At least not on my own.”
My eyebrows fly up, and I shake my head. There’s no way I’m climbing into the shower with him.
Groaning, he begins to move so he can lie down, and I lean over him to help. I adjust the pillows behind him, and as I step back, my eyes flit over his body.
Crap, he’s very attractive.
The tattoos are something to get used to, but all his muscles and golden-tanned skin have my stomach feeling like a whole swarm of bees has taken up residence inside it.
Noticing his shoes, I move to the end of the bed and take them off for him. When I’m done, I stand back and unable to ignore the blood on his side, I go to the bathroom.
I switch on the warm water faucet and grab a washcloth. Holding it beneath the spray, I wet it before squeezing the excess drops out.
I walk back to Enzo, and sitting down beside him, I have to lean over his waist to reach his side. I carefully clean off all the blood, avoiding the stitches.
Once I’m done, I figure he can’t sleep with the stitches exposed like that, and I jog out of the room and go back downstairs to find a bandage.
I get one out of the first aid kit, then pause to catch my breath. Looking up toward the landing and the banister where I can see all the bedrooms, I shake my head.
Tonight has been insane.
I still can’t believe Enzo is here and that he’s behind the job and Cassia reaching out to me.
And everything he told me…
I shake my head again.
Boy, I’m a terrible judge of character. I’ve been fantasizing my butt off over a criminal.
Even though I saw Enzo kill two of the robbers with my own eyes, it’s still hard to believe he’s a killer.
I accepted it after the incident at the gas station because they were armed and could’ve shot me at any time. But Enzo said he’s an assassin, and those kinds of people kill for a living.
I’ve never felt so torn before. I’m scared out of my mind but still attracted to him.
Maybe I’m insane, too?
Exhaling a heavy sigh, I head back upstairs, and entering the room, I avoid making eye contact with Enzo.
I work carefully as I place the bandage over his wound so I don’t accidentally put any of the sticky parts on the stitches.
When I pull back and straighten up, I wonder how he got injured.
I don’t have my notepad to ask the question and instead point at the bandage, giving Enzo a questioning look.
“Are you asking whether it feels better?”
I shake my head, but then end up nodding fast.
“It does.” His eyes soften as he speaks to me. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
I point again, then hold my hands palms up to indicate I want to know what happened.
“I was shot.”
Shock shudders through me, and my lips part as I gasp.
“Do you know the MC gang, the St. Louis Demons?” he asks.
It feels as if icy water is poured over my head. I wrap my arms around my middle and hunch my shoulders while I look down at my feet.
“You’re scared of them.” Enzo’s tone is much harsher, and it has me taking a step backward. “I had an altercation with the bikers on my way here,” he admits.
Learning he was in a fight with them has me peeking at him.
I hate the MC, and hearing their bikes’ engines rumbling is enough to give me a panic attack.
“It’s one of the reasons I don’t want you to leave the house. I’m currently dealing with the MC, and if they find out about you, they’ll use you to get to me.”
Pins and needles erupt over my skin, and my tongue goes numb.
Four members of the MC already hurt me in ways I’ll never recover from, but hearing they might hurt me again is more than I can handle.
All the times Derek, Wayne, and Kirk came into the store to taunt me flash through my mind, causing my body to start trembling.
I have no idea what happened to JJ. I haven’t seen him around town since a month or so after he raped me, for which I’m grateful. He was the worst of them.
My breathing speeds up, and when Enzo gets off the bed and comes to place his arms around me, I lean into him as I try to stop the panic attack from spiraling out of control.
I should push him away, but I don’t because I need the comfort.
“I keep triggering you. I’m sorry.” Enzo places his hand behind my head, and it makes me feel safe even though I’m scared of him.
It’s weird.
Slowly, my breathing returns to normal, and the panic retreats until only the nervousness remains.
Even though I’m terrified of the things Enzo told me, I’m happy he’s here, and I get to see him again.
Gosh, I’m so confused.
Knowing I can’t give Enzo the wrong impression and make him think I’m okay with everything, I pull back, and without a word, I leave his bedroom.
Once I shut my door behind me, I stare at the key in the lock, but remembering Enzo said he’d break it down, I let out a sigh, leaving it unlocked.
I pick up my phone from where it’s lying on my bed and check the time. It’s already four am.
I climb beneath the covers, and lying down, I hug my pillow tight.
Everything that’s happened since I met Enzo runs through my mind, and the more I think about it all, the less sense it makes.
Since the rape, I’ve been invisible. Until him. It feels like he sees into the deepest parts of me, but I don’t understand why a man like Enzo has taken an interest in me.
I always thought I was raped because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But JJ threatened my mom and aunt, which has to mean he knew who I was. Over the years, the other three came to the gas station to taunt me.
Is there something about me that grabs the attention of bad men?
I lie in bed for an hour, unable to make sense of anything. I don’t know how to handle the situation. When I tried to leave, Enzo carried me back into the house, so trying again would be pointless.
He’s made it very clear he won’t let me go.
At least he hasn’t hurt me.
Yet.
This is not how the fantasy was supposed to go.
Just after six, my phone beeps with an incoming message. When I check the screen, I see it’s from Mom. I avoided her call last Sunday because I was still rattled by the robbery, and I didn’t want to cause her any worry. Then my entire life changed, and I forgot to get back to her.
Opening the message, I read it.
Mom: We’re worried about you, kiddo. Give me a call so I can hear your voice.
I sit up and fold my legs beneath me while clearing my throat before I press dial on her number.
“Jenna? Jesus, you have no idea how worried we’ve been. Your aunt had to stop me from driving to Aurora. Are you okay?”
I clear my throat again, and ducking my head, I softly say, “I’m fine, Mom. I’ve just been busy.”
“I’m going to slap that old geezer upside the head! He’s making you work too hard for the peanuts he pays you. Seriously, kiddo. Pack up and come to us. I really don’t get why you’re staying up there.”
“Money’s tight,” I give her the same excuse as always.
“I’ve worked some overtime and made extra so I can buy you a bus ticket.”
“Put it away for a rainy day. I’m fine where I am and can’t take time off.”
We’ve had this exact conversation so many times before.
Mom lets out a sigh. “Fine. Besides work, how are you?”
“I’m okay, Mom. Everything is the same as always,” I lie through my teeth. “How are you and Aunt Sherrie?”
“We’re doing okay as well. Wish we could stop working altogether, but with things costing an arm and a leg, there’s no chance of that happening.”
My eyes dart to the side of the bed, and I think of the three thousand dollars I have hidden there.
Shoot. If I send the money to Mom, she’ll ask why I didn’t use it to leave Aurora.
“But don’t worry about us,” Mom adds.
“Things will get better,” I say. “I’m looking for a new job.”
“Yeah? What kind of job?”
Not knowing what to answer, I reply, “Housekeeping. I hear it pays more than what I make now.”
“I hope you get it, kiddo.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I clear my throat again. “I have to go…ahh, I’m tired after the shift at the gas station.”
“Okay. We’ll talk on Sunday. Get some sleep. Love you, kiddo.”
“Love you too,” I whisper before hanging up.
I let out a heavy sigh. I hate lying to Mom, but how do I even begin to explain the past two weeks to her?
I look at my bedroom door, and my thoughts jump to Enzo.
I wonder if he’s okay?
I check the time and realize he might need to take painkillers again.
Unable to stop myself, I climb off the bed and creep out of my room. Enzo’s door is still open, and when I peek inside, I see he’s asleep.
Heading downstairs, I grab the light blanket from the back of the couch and carry it to Enzo’s room, where I carefully place it over his legs and waist.
His phone is lying right beside him, so I pick it up and set it down on the bedside table.
Cautiously, I lift my hand to his face and place my palm on his forehead. He feels cool to my touch, and it sets me at ease.
I glance around, and spotting the armchair by the window, I draw it closer to the bed and sit down.
With Enzo fast asleep, I get a good look at him.
I take in his dark hair that’s ruffled, the sharp lines of his handsome face, and the scruff on his jaw. Then my eyes move lower to his chest, and my cheeks grow warm at the sight of his hard muscles and bare skin that’s covered in the violent tattoo.
Everything about him is an enigma.
I pull my legs up and wrap my arms around my shins, resting my chin on my knees while I keep staring at the attractive man who’s upended my life.
I think of the questions he asked me earlier.
‘Were you happy with your life before you met me?’
No.
‘Were you safe before you met me?’
No.
‘What do you have to lose, meu anjinho?’
Nothing.
‘Let me save you from the hell your life is. And if you tell me who hurt you, I’ll kill them for you.’
Out of everything he’s said, that stuck with me most.
What will happen to me if I let Enzo take me? Will he be patient and kind, or will he eventually take what he really wants?
I won’t survive being raped again.
I’d rather die.
My thoughts turn down a dark path and make intense fear fill my chest.
I dart off the chair and run to my room, where I shut the door and lock it behind me.