Chapter 26 – Enzo
ENZO
“Are you sure this plan of yours will work?” My uncle pulls my attention from Althea’s ass as she walks off with my aunt back to the conversation. I wait until they are well out of earshot before resuming my side of the conversation.
“It should satisfy Caspien. Once Althea shares my last name, he will have no choice but to align himself and his empire with ours. Not to do so would not only hurt Althea, but it would jeopardize his empire, and Caspien won’t allow that. He cares too much for both.”
“But what about his son?” Eliseo asks. “He’s going to demand some kind of restitution for all the years missed. Not to mention, the boy won’t remember his father or his family. It was too long ago.”
Nonno nods. “Althea and Caspien are close, like your mother and I were. I see the same love and admiration in Althea when she speaks of her family as Alessia had when she spoke of hers. She will help Caspien accept the marriage and the apology. After all, it wasn’t us who stole his son and hid him.
Gianni wasn’t acting under the orders of the Don. He was a loose cannon.”
“And you think Althea will help him see all of that without repercussions to us?” Eliseo is still not convinced.
“She will. Althea, much like Enzo, understands that family comes first.” Nonno states with pride. “You chose well, son.”
“It wasn’t a matter of my choosing. Although, I won’t say she wouldn’t be my choice if the circumstances were different.”
Eliseo’s laughter fills the room. “You’re smitten with the girl. It’s written all over your face.”
“I don’t know how to respond to that.”
“You don’t have to,” Nonno says, smirking. “If it’s any consolation, I think she’s having the same struggle you are with it.”
“Meaning what, exactly?”
Nonno sighs. “You both have strong feelings for one another, but you’re too wrapped up in your own shit to see it.” I don’t respond, merely stare blankly at the man because I have no clue what the hell he’s rambling on about.
Nonno sighs again. “The girl carries the burden of guilt. It weighs heavily on her heart. I can see it. Your mother was the same.” Nonno smiles softly.
“Alessia thought it was her fault Gianni did all the things he did. That she deserved his wrath because she brought him into the family instead of marrying her betrothed.”
“She wasn’t to blame for Gianni’s shit. He was fucked in the head. Everyone knows that,” I argue.
“Yes, but Alessia, in her own way, believed his cruelty was her penance for all the trouble he caused the family and all the pain he bestowed upon you kids.” Nonno looks momentarily lost in thought.
“And you, my boy. You have always thought yourself incapable of love. But I don’t think you understand the meaning of the word.
Because if you did, you would understand that the way you cared for your mother and the protective way you take care of Giselle— that is love .
And if I’m not mistaken, you feel the same way about Althea.
We all watched the fear that came over you when you thought she might fall apart with what she was hearing.
You held her close. Gave her your strength.
I’d say if you’re not in love with her, you’re well on your way. ”
“If what you say is true, if this is love I’m feeling, how do I convince her, Nonno?
Because what I felt for Mama and for Giselle are not the same.
” I scoff. “I protect Giselle because I’m all she has, and Mama would’ve wanted it that way.
Not to mention the beatdown you and my uncles would’ve given me as a boy if I hadn’t taken care of her. It’s my job as her brother.”
“Yes. Just like it’s your job as the family’s enforcer to marry Althea to prevent a war that your idiot father should have never started. The stronzo can’t stop messing with us, even from the grave. Nevertheless, you have feelings for the girl. Am I right about that?”
“I feel something for her, yes. But I don’t know if I would call it love.”
But there’s definitely something powerful between us.
I don’t want to tell him she’s the best fuck I’ve ever had or about the beautiful way she gives herself over to my control. How her need for pain feeds my need to disperse it. Those don’t seem like what he means by love.
“All right. How about this? If you don’t love her, then why, when you heard Nazario say she was a traitor, didn’t you do what you were ordered?” His voice grows stern.
Shit. Did I read this wrong?
“I didn’t believe Althea to be a traitor. I still don’t.” I answer truthfully. “And even if I did, she’s a woman. I wouldn’t kill her.”
“No. But you would’ve punished her in other ways. Maybe gifted her to Mesias’ men to be punished. Would you not?”
“Fuck no!” It comes out in a growl. My fists clench at my sides, and I watch as Nonno smiles.
“That’s what I thought.” He walks over, sitting himself beside me and pats my shoulder. “You were going to marry her regardless of what Nazario ordered or how Caspien may or may not feel because you’ve already decided she’s yours. It’s the only reason a man would forsake the orders of his Don.”
My brows crease in confusion.
“There isn’t a man alive who ever tried to convince me to harm or leave your Nonna.” He pointedly looks at me. “And if there was anyone who wished to try again now, they’d find themselves buried with the rest of them.”
“Someone tried to take her from you? Who? When?” I’m angry as this is the first I’ve heard of this.
“I said they aren’t alive. Same as anyone who tries to take Althea from you, hm?” Nonno presses.
He’s right. I’d slit the throat of anyone who tried to take Althea away from me.
Nonno stands up, pats my shoulder and says, “Your Nonna wasn’t always convinced I was the one for her. A woman needs to feel special, wanted. She needs her man to meet her needs in a way no one else can. Show her you can do that, and she will give you her heart without reservation.”
A few minutes later, I make my way out to the cottage where I find Stavros outside, sitting at a small table near the front door.
“She ran downstairs and grabbed a bottle of wine and a glass, then I heard the water running upstairs. I grabbed myself an espresso and then came outside. I don’t think she knows I’m here, and I didn’t want to accidentally walk in on anything you would kill me for seeing.
” He explains, taking a sip of his drink. I smile at how well he knows me.
“You’re free to go for now.” He doesn’t hesitate. Instead, he grabs his drink and heads down the short path to his place for the night.
Upon entering the house, I notice two things. One, the smell of citrus and jasmine. The one that always lures me in. Althea’s scent. And two, the sound of someone sobbing coming from upstairs.
I make my way up to the bedroom and quietly stalk through the space to the en suite where I find the source of both the scent and sounds.
Althea is in the tub, her head laid in her hands, as her shoulders shake and soft sobs escape her lips. Pushing the door open, I move into the room, and that’s when I notice the almost empty bottle of wine sitting beside the tub.
“Baby.” Althea’s tear-stained face looks up at me from where she sits. Her eyes, red-rimmed and her cheeks flushed. Something inside my chest feels as though it cracks, and I find myself afraid to move closer for fear I might make things worse.
Is she angry about my father? Maybe she thinks me a monster for killing my own father.
My mind races with ideas, and then something my Nonno said springs to mind.
“She carries the burden of guilt.”
I can’t erase her pain or the knowledge she’s learned about everything that’s happened over the years, but I can help relieve her burden. I can give her what she needs and remind her who I am to her .
I take the long white towel off the wall and stretch my hand out to Althea. “Come here, baby.” She stares at my hand, then back at me, frozen in place. Knowing what she needs, and that it is the one thing I can give her, I put a little more force into my voice and command, “Now, Althea.”
That does it.
She takes my hand, uncertainty still present in her eyes, but I don’t let it detour me. I help her step out onto the rug and wrap the towel around her, then reach down to empty the water out of the tub. She doesn’t move, watching me closely.
With my hand, I caress her cheek and lean in to gently kiss her lips. “You’re overwhelmed. Your mind is swimming in circles, isn’t it?” She nods, closing her eyes, shielding herself from me. “No. Don’t hide from me. I can only help you if you let me. Understand?”
She blinks up at me through her lashes, looking so small and frail. I don’t like this version of her. My little devil should never feel so alone and out of control. That’s why she has me. I’ll take control and give her peace of mind. I won’t let her feel alone anymore.
“Good girl. Look at me.” She does. “I can see that you’ve been processing things.” I look down at the wine bottle. “How drunk are you?”
“Not nearly enough.” She shrugs. “I couldn’t even get myself a buzz with everything weighing on my mind.”
“What is it you were hoping the wine would do for you? Tell me what you need, little devil, and let me give it to you.” I know what she needs. She needs to let go and let her mind and body soar to that place between pain and bliss.
“I don’t want to feel, Enzo. The guilt. The frustration. The heartache. I don’t want it. Any of it. Make it stop.”
I nod. “As you wish.”
I walk her back, pushing her up against the wall, and drop the towel to the floor, exposing every inch of her beautiful olive skin.
Her breathing picks up with anticipation.
The small tear that trails her cheek is my final undoing, and I’m on her, pushing against her with my hips.
She lets out a small gasp, and I swallow it down.
Althea gives as good as she gets. Her fire flickering inside her again.
Her hands grip the back of my neck; her nails dig in, scraping across the exposed skin.
That’s it, baby. Give it to me.
Her wet chest rubs against mine, soaking my shirt as her two stiff peaks beg for my touch, my mouth.
“Enzo, please,” Althea whimpers. A needy little sound that makes the spot inside my chest burn, and the head of my cock pulse with need. I’m throbbing behind my zipper, aching to be inside her.
But this isn’t about me.
“ She needs her man to meet her needs in a way no one else can. Show her you can do that, and she will give you her heart without reservation.”
Nonno is right. I want Althea to be mine. All of her. Especially her heart.
My right hand wanders down the front of her body, caressing the side of her breast down to her hip. Althea pushes her hips forward, rubbing herself against my crotch, trying to create friction for herself. This won’t do. She’s still in her head trying to control the world around her.
I pull back, pausing a moment to take in her swollen lips and hooded eyes. Her breasts bouncing with each heaving breath. Her hair, a soft, tangled mess, I can’t wait to wrap around my fist.
I lean in, gripping her hair and angling her head back. I tilt it to my liking. She fights just a little, her defiance flaring in her eyes.
She’s looking for punishment.
That gives me an idea.
With her hair still in my hand, I step back and demand, “On your knees, little devil. I want to take that mouth of yours.”
She hesitates momentarily. A second too long for me, and I spin her around, pressing her belly to the wall and smack her ass three times in hard succession. She moans, pushing her hands against the wall, bracing herself for more. Before she can get too comfortable, I spin her back to face me.
“ Knees. Now .”
Like the obedient little whore she is, my whore, she drops slowly to the towel beneath her and settles into position.
“Undo my pants and take me out. Don’t linger.
” Althea fumbles with my belt, then slowly unzips my pants, taking her time as she goes.
The little witch knows what she’s doing, and I grip her hair, pulling her head back, gripping her throat with my other hand, then I bend and bite down hard on her bottom lip.
“Stop fucking around, or I’ll stop everything and let you wallow with your thoughts alone for the night.” Her eyes widen with a hint of fear. Whatever this guilt is that she’s battling, whatever the hurts or fears, she doesn’t trust herself alone with them.
That’s all right. Althea is mine, which makes her demons mine to slay. And once I do, her heart will beat for me the same way mine beats for her.
Fuck, I do love her.
I lick away the sting of my bite on her lip and follow the trail of her tear with my tongue. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.
“That’s it, baby. Relax. Trust me to take care of you.” Althea gives the slightest of nods and brings her face back to meet my cock. “Open your mouth and take me inside.”
My own head is thrown back as I take a moment to stare at the ceiling and gather myself. Her mouth feels like fucking heaven. Warm. Wet. Perfect. Mine .
“Put your hands on my thighs and don’t move them. I’m going to fuck your pretty mouth and you’re going to swallow me down like my good little whore, aren’t you, baby?” She nods as much as she can with her mouth full of my cock.
I don’t give any more warning and begin slowly fucking her mouth. “Keep doing that thing with your tongue. Yeah, just like that,” I praise.
A low growl rumbles from deep in my chest when her hand grips my balls, and a shiver runs up my spine. My cock twitches as I pour myself down her throat. Althea swallows every drop, then pulls herself off my cock and licks her mouth clean, preening like the naughty little devil that she is.
I lean down, getting almost nose to nose with her now, and grunt, “You’re going to pay for that.”