Chapter 27 – Althea
ALTHEA
Enzo spent the rest of the night fucking me every which way from Sunday, wringing out orgasm after orgasm until I was a complete and utter rag doll.
The way he manhandled me and smacked my ass, never letting me have control for a second, it was exactly what I needed.
We didn’t even leave the house to join his family for dinner.
He sent a text telling them we were jet lagged and needed rest. Though I seriously doubt anyone believed his bullshit.
I’ve been lying here next to him. My hands are still tied in front of me, while Enzo’s chest is pushed up against my back and his cock is nestled between my ass cheeks.
His arms are banded around me, making me the little spoon to his large one.
As if he wanted to make certain I wouldn’t try to escape, his left leg is wrapped over the top of mine.
He’s heavy, imposing, and radiates heat.
Yet, I find myself sinking further into his embrace and the safety and comfort it makes me feel.
There’s a part of me that is terrified to allow myself to enjoy this feeling.
I’ve never needed to feel safe with a man, never thought I deserved to be protected.
It’s why I keep my walls up. But something about being in Enzo’s arms makes me comfortable enough to let down my guard.
Not only am I comfortable with it—I want to do it.
But will this be enough?
I’m not sure.
I know I like waking up next to him, and I definitely love the way he knows how to make my body sing his praises while stars dance behind my eyes with each hard-felt orgasm.
If I’m his devil, he is my god. No one has ever been able to do what he does to my body.
The level of subspace he can bring me to is something I’ve never experienced.
After how overwhelmed and broken I felt yesterday, I expected to wake up with the weight of my emotions slamming back into me this morning.
Learning about my brother’s abuse and then finding out the lengths Enzo had to go as a child to save himself and his sister …
I don’t know. It all just became too much to process.
Enzo took it all away. He let me float above the problems and release the tension into the atmosphere while he took the weight of everything for me.
I can’t explain it. I don’t know that I want to try.
But the question is, will the connection we have between us be enough to make a marriage work?
Maybe I should ask him what he thinks. If he sees a timeline in our future for the marriage to be annulled.
I’m not letting you go.
His words from yesterday draw a shiver up my spine.
But did he mean it?
“You’re thinking too loudly,” his gruff voice says in my ear. With his left leg, he rolls me over, placing himself on top of me, and his cock teasing my entrance.
“Well, good morning to you too,” I tease.
“Mmm. Almost.” Enzo’s head disappears under the blankets, and suddenly I feel his wet tongue licking my clit. My back arches at the intrusive way he pushes his two fingers inside of me and begins pumping relentlessly while sucking on my clit. He alternates between rough and slow, and …
“Fuck. I’m going to …” He stops licking, pulls his fingers free, then sits up and slams his cock all the way to the hilt, sending me over the edge.
Enzo thrusts his hips, hitching my knee up over his arm to get a deeper angle.
I’m coming down from my orgasm when his lips find mine in a rough, unapologetic kiss.
No, not a kiss— it’s a brand . A claim of sorts.
I taste myself on his tongue and lose myself in the feel of his fingers pinching my nipple as I crash over the edge again, this time with him spilling himself inside me.
A few minutes later, we’re a sweaty, tangled mess. With my breathing finally leveling out, I reach my hands up and ask, “Can you take these off now, please?”
“I can. But I won’t.”
“Enzo.”
“Althea.”
I huff at the stubborn ass. “I need to get cleaned up, and we both need to get dressed.”
“I disagree.”
“ Enzo .” I huff. I’m about to thump him over the head with my fists when his phone rings, drawing us out of our little bubble.
He reaches over, looks at the screen, slides it open and stands up from the bed with his back to me.
“Yeah.” His head turns in my direction, and he goes from a lazy-smiling, sex-god to the stone-faced killer I’ve come to know in seconds, rushing over to release my hands.
“Yeah. How long do we have?” Enzo removes my restraints and mouths for me to “get dressed now.” I don’t know what’s happening, but I do as he tells me.
My bag has been moved into the closet. Enzo must’ve done it last night after I fell asleep. I grab a pair of black yoga pants and a hoodie and toss them onto the floor. As I’m rummaging through for a pair of panties and a bra, I find my two slim daggers wrapped up in a pair of long socks.
Liam, you fucking genius.
I don’t waste time getting dressed, tucking my knives into my socks, then sliding my pant legs over them and tying my shoes. When I exit the closet, I walk into a wall, or rather Enzo, who’s built like one.
He’s dressed in black cargos and a black hoodie. His signature uniform, it seems. I squint, curiosity getting the better of me, and ask, “Do you own anything other than black clothes?”
He shrugs. “It makes laundry easier.” He says it so matter-of-factly I can’t tell if he’s being sarcastic or not.
“Shame. Your eyes would look amazing against a charcoal gray or olive green.” His eyes meet mine and he smiles, cupping my cheek in his hand as he plants a soft kiss on my lips.
“If you want to see me in those colors, I’ll wear them. But only for you, little devil.” His phone chimes, breaking the moment again.
“We need to go.”
“Where?”
“We have guests in the main house.” He sounds disgruntled with the information, which makes me even more curious to know who’s here. It can’t be my father, or we wouldn’t have gotten a simple phone call to warn us.
Enzo takes my hand and leads me outside. Stavros is already waiting to follow us up the path to the house. When we reach the back patio, raised voices can be heard from inside the house. Once inside, we find Maurice and Nazario in a verbal standoff.
“What do you mean you had to bring her?” Maurice shouts.
Nazario glances over Maurice to where we are. Enzo gives a curt nod.
“It’s none of your business what she’s doing here. She’s here, and she’s my issue to handle,” Nazario says sternly.
“Does her brother know you brought her here, or are we suddenly in the business of kidnapping brides in this family?” Maurice throws his hands up to the sky, muttering something in Italian to the ceiling.
“Who did you kidnap?” Enzo asks with a hint of amusement in his voice, jumping into the conversation.
“I didn’t kidnap anyone. She’s here of her own free will. Sort of ,” Nazario replies. “It doesn’t matter. She’s down at my cottage for now, and she’ll remain there until we leave. My guards and Mauro are with her. Now can we please move on to the reason I’m here?”
“Why are you here? I thought you were coming Friday with the others.” Enzo moves into the room, pulling me along beside him. When I try to pull my hand away from his, his grip tightens.
Nazario pinches the bridge of his nose. “We found out who Althea’s brother is.” His eyes connect with mine. My heart clenches in my chest. “I thought it best to bring him here sooner rather than later since we got word that Caspien is currently in route to Dallas to find his daughter.”
“Fuck.”
“He’s here?”
Enzo and I ask at the same time. It’s Enzo’s turn to pinch the bridge of his nose.
“What would make Caspien think to do that?” Maurice jumps back into the conversation. “And what of your brothers? Where are they?”
“What about my brother?” I ask, getting frustrated at being ignored.
Nazario ignores me again to answer Maurice’s question.
“I moved Santo and Ang into the Shadowmancer’s clubhouse until I get back.
The girls are still in school with their security team in place until Friday, when they’ll go home to spend the weekend with Mama like they always do.
The guards have their instructions, and the girls know what’s going on.
As for Santo and Ang, they’ll be safe with Soul’s crew.
No one else knows they’re there.” Nazario then turns to me and says, “Mauro is getting my guests situated, then he’ll be back up to join us.
When he does, we need to clarify a few things. ”
I’m confused as to why they would hide their brothers with a motorcycle club.
It’s not uncommon for organized crime families to use outside gangs or clubs to transport or hide goods.
I’ve never heard of Papa doing it, but then again, Papa doesn’t include me in every aspect of his business.
But Angelo and Santo aren’t of my concern.
“So, is my brother here, or is he with your motorcycle friends? I’m confused.”
“Guests? Multiple?” Enzo’s eyes narrow. Again, I’m being ignored.
Nazario sighs an exasperated sigh. “In order for me to leave my brothers at the clubhouse, I had to bring Hex along to Italy for your wedding. Soul’s conditions.”
“You fucking what?” Enzo throws his head back, sliding his hand down his face. “Why? Where is he now?” I don’t understand why this is such a big deal, nor do I fucking care since they both continue to pretend I’m not standing here asking questions that need answers.
Nazario shrugs. “I didn’t ask why. Soul just said it was his price for keeping my brothers safe and for his club doc to take over Santo’s care.
I’ve learned not to question my friend over the years.
Just like he doesn’t question us.” Nazario raises a brow, an expression that even I know means shut the hell up .
“What about the nurse you paid to come stay at the house with Santo? Where’d she go?” Maurice smiles a knowing smile.
Nazario waves him off. “Don’t worry, Nonno. I sent her along with him too.” Nazario shares a look with Maurice, who’s now chuckling.
Eliseo must understand the silent conversation because he’s also laughing. “Should I keep the priest on standby? Fucking hell. At least your aunt will have something to keep her busy and out of my hair.”
“Did you call me, dear?” Right on cue, Vella enters the room. Eliseo straightens up, shaking his head and gesturing for her to join him at his side. “Oh, Nazario. Your friends, the two young men you brought with you, they’re in the kitchen getting something to eat.”
Pissed off and over being ignored, I release Enzo’s hand, squat down and retrieve my knife before releasing my blade and flinging it across the room, narrowly missing Nazario’s head as it sticks into the wall behind him. Maybe a reminder that I’m not just some woman will get their attention.
The room falls silent. Everyone seemingly in shock. Nazario looks to the wall, then back to me slowly, calculated. His face is full of questions and fury. Enzo immediately moves in front of me, standing between me and his cousin. His Don .
Standing to my feet, I push at Enzo to move, but he stands firm. “Will someone please tell me where my brother is and why my papa is looking for me in Dallas?” I ask sarcastically sweet and unapologetic. Again, I push Enzo’s big arm, trying to move around him, but the big brute won’t budge.
Everyone is still quiet except Maurice, who is now laughing and pointing at Enzo. “You definitely have your hands full, boy. But I will say, I like the fire in this one.” Mauro enters the room intrigued by the old man. Enzo and Nazario, neither one, look amused by Maurice’s laughter.
“You need to explain to your bride-to-be how things work around here and fucking fast.” Nazario grits. Pointing a finger at me, he glares. “If you were anyone else, you’d be dead right now. You realize this, yes?”
“Your family stole my brother. I figure I’m owed at least one attempted murder in return.” Nazario’s eyes narrow further. I can see Mauro’s shoulders shaking out of the corner of my eye.
“My marrying Enzo is the only thing preventing a war. However, it appears my papa may be on his way to Dallas as we speak to stir shit up anyway. So, please spare me the high and mighty, I’m the fucking Don and you’ll do as I say speech,” I snap.
“I’m not new to this world or how it works, but I’ll be damned if I let you or anyone else continue to keep my family apart and expect my compliance.
You all owe me that much.” My voice begins to shake.
“He’s in the kitchen with Hex. But, Althea,” Nazario says hesitantly. “He doesn’t remember anything about you or how he came to the Academy. Which means your father may still feel he has the right to start a war with us.”
“ He does .” My anger is simmering so close to the edge, I’m vibrating with fury and can feel my eyes burning with unshed tears.
“However, I won’t let that happen. None of you are responsible for Gianni’s fucked-up decisions.
But Nazario, I can only help calm my father’s rage if I know my brother is alive and well.
He may not remember us, but I will know him. So will Papa.”
I hold my shit together a little longer, though my voice wobbles and my heart breaks. Enzo turns and pulls me into his embrace, holding me close against his chest, shielding me from his family.
Is he choosing me over them? No, he can’t be. Right?
A throat clears. “There’s more.” We turn so we can both see everyone’s faces, but he doesn’t loosen his hold on me.
“It appears your friend, Sebastian, called Caspien and told him Enzo kidnapped you. Since Caspien couldn’t get ahold of either you or your guards, he headed for Dallas to find out for himself. We were already in the air before he landed.”
Fuck.
“How did you find out he was coming?” Enzo asks, as baffled as I am. That’s not something Papa would broadcast. Especially if he thought they were hiding me away somewhere.
Nazario answers Enzo’s unspoken question in one word.
“Hex.”
“You called?” Hex asks as he strolls into the room from the kitchen, giving a short bow.