Chapter 15
Gemma
A steamy coffee sounded nice after my hot shower, since Enzo had abandoned perfectly good cups on the beach earlier.
I tied my hair into a ponytail, smiling at the memory of him fluffing the towel through my strands.
He introduced such gentle precision in drying my hair.
Not that a man had ever towel-dried my hair before.
Still, warmth lingered on my scalp long after he finished.
I hadn’t hated it, though I probably should have.
Shouts echoed from the dining room. The villa resembled a pressure cooker ready to blow.
Someone was always arguing, always screaming…
myself included. I tiptoed to the entryway leading to the dinette.
The sweet perfume of fresh white roses clung to the air, a calming scent mocking the current atmosphere.
Carina and Enzo’s voices echoed behind the door. So, they were the ones arguing. I leaned my ear to the thick wood.
“She’s banned from seeing her father!” Carina screeched, making me jerk. “What don’t you understand?”
Carina’s knickers were in a twist because Enzo let me see Papa? Good grief. The rasp in her voice sliced through the air and churned my stomach. I’d met bitter people, but this... this was something else entirely.
“Are you finished, Carina?” His tone was curt, bored.
Strange how he called his mother by her first name. I’d noticed both he and his brother refrained from calling her ma or mamma.
“You had no right to disobey my request.”
What a lunatic. He warranted every right. The fact he opposed his mother’s wishes for my sake sent a rush through me. Still a psychopath, but at least he showed sympathy, unlike his mother.
“If I recall, your vendetta is with Elisabetta. I don’t see why we can’t spare Gino,” he threw back, his tone like honed steel.
I could practically see the strain on his face, the fury building behind those green eyes. I bit back a grin, clenching a fist to my mouth to keep from cheering.
“I run the show in this game, Enzo. Have you forgotten your vow?”
Vow? What vow?
“Make her fall in love with you, so we can send the forlorn brat back to her mother.”
In love?
“Once she’s a broken shell of her former self, I’ll send her back to you.”
They weren’t trying to drive me insane... they wanted me gutwrenchingly heartbroken. A beat of silence followed, the air thick with unspoken tension.
Then Enzo’s voice, stripped of all emotion, cut through it. “I’m on it.”
The words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs. I stumbled back, hitting the wall.
Not the slightest hesitancy.
But a sure, firm promise.
Driving me to the hospital, suggesting a walk on the beach, even trying to get me comfortable around his guard dogs... all a calculated performance. A way to soften me.
I backed away from the dinette and snuck upstairs into my room. Curse him, because a stupid, vulnerable part of me had fallen for his feigned kindness. I sat on the edge of the bed, my fists flexed by my sides.
Every time he caressed my hair, as if powerless to help himself, every lingering look into my eyes as though lost in them…
a game, a lie . I collapsed onto the bed, a knot forming in my stomach.
So what he faked his affections? He meant nothing to me!
I sat up again. If this paved my one chance at escape, I’d do anything to see it through.
A lump formed in my throat. What am I thinking?
I’m not that type of person. The idea of faking those emotions, of misleading him, felt…
wrong . I closed my eyes, pushing aside the creeping doubts.
Freedom came at a price, didn’t it? “So be it, then.” I’d pretend to fall in love with the monster.
If I played my cards right, they’d send me packing and out of here a lot faster. “Game on, Enzo.”
A knock sounded at my door. I straightened and blew out a breath. “Come in.”
Enzo emerged, his jaw rigid. Did he feel the need to work harder at his goal? He needn’t worry; I’d make this a whole lot easier.
He stalled in front of me, rocking back on his heels while burying his hands deep into his pockets. “Our lunch is ready downstairs.”
I bit back the autopilot refusal. How could I ever convince him I was falling for him if I kept bickering over trivial matters? No time like the present to play along. “Okay.”
His jaw tightened, clearly stopping whatever sharp retort had been on his tongue.
Not expecting that, were you, mate?
He turned for the door.
No way could I engage in this scheme with Carina present. I bet she’d smell my trap from a mile away. “Enzo?”
He paused at the doorway and faced me.
“Any chance we could… eat in private?” I grew breathless, my limbs shaking. Please don’t see through me . “Maybe… in here?”
He blinked once, twice, then snapped out of it. “I’ll bring our meals up.”
◆◆◆
This plan just might work. Last night we ate our meals in my room, and today we planned to do the same.
Right now, he fetched our breakfast from downstairs.
I rummaged through the new designer labels Enzo purchased for me and chose a cute sunflower summer dress.
No point in protesting the clothes now. If I was to play a lovesick fool, I had to commit to the act.
The sooner I convinced him, the sooner I’d be free.
I donned the dress, yanked at the hem, which sat a little too short for my normal taste.
The sweetheart neckline revealed a hint of cleavage.
Not much, thank goodness. I brushed my hair and fastened on a pair of brown sandals.
After a little mascara and natural-hued lipstick, I studied myself in the mirror, determined to use every trick up my sleeve to deceive him.
The place, the outfits, the makeup, you name it.
The sharp rap on the door vibrated through the soles of my sandals, traveling up my spine with a jolt.
“Gemma?”
I released a harsh breath, forcing a cheery demeanor as I departed the walk-in and into the main bedroom.
His gaze slid down my length, surprise widening his eyes.
This was the first time I wore something he’d purchased, instead of insisting on wearing the clothes from my own luggage.
Not wanting to give myself away, I threw him a reasonable excuse.
“I like this dress… it’s pretty.” The shape of his mouth drew me.
And what a mouth, firm, sculpted, yet soft-looking.
An involuntary smile touched my lips. Oh no, now I stared a beat too long.
Get a grip, this was meant to be a game, remember?
“Pretty doesn’t cover it, Gemma.” The words seemed pulled from him, raw and unguarded for just a moment. “You’re beautiful.” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he averted his gaze, gesturing toward the coffee table. “Breakfast.”
I touched my throat, my own pulse suddenly erratic beneath my trembling fingers.
His ease in this game was frightening; I stood no chance.
The faint, sweet scent of citrus hung in the air as I passed the balcony doors.
Stealing a glimpse outside, the coast was a hazy silhouette, the sea shimmering against the strong sun, making me squint.
I walked to the coffee table and patted the smooth leather of the sofa seat beside me.
Enzo furrowed, gauging me for longer than anticipated.
Why did I have the feeling he saw right through my plan?
I swallowed and took the dish, perching it on my lap.
Play it cool . “What time are we heading to the hospital?” These last few days with Papa had been a comfort, releasing some of the tension for both of us.
“With any luck, those latest test results should be in.”
“Gemma.” He wiped a napkin over his mouth. “There’ll be no more hospital visits. Not today or any other day.”
The utensils in my hands stilled over my plate.
My muscles coiled. Rage, shout, hit the man.
Instead, I grew numb. Don’t react! My heart shattered, begging for an explanation I couldn’t demand.
“Oh,” I kept my tone casual. “I see.” He meted out a penalty based on what occurred yesterday at the beach.
So, he indeed believed I attempted an escape.
Or perhaps he listened to his horrible mother’s orders.
More reason to play nice to convince him I fancied him.
“So then, what’s on the agenda today?” I broke the ice and propelled us into idle chit-chat. “Any important conference calls?”
“Today’s Sunday.” He sipped his espresso. “I’ll return to work tomorrow.”
Sunday? The days here blended one into the other. I no longer kept track. “Right.” I kept my smile for good measure, even though the blood sizzled beneath my skin. How dare he prevent me from visiting Papa!
He set aside his finished plate and continued drinking his coffee. “I hoped you’d join me, though. I want to take you out.”
I wanted to take him out too, to the yard and bury him alive… the jerk! “Oh, where?”
Those wary greens trained on me. He no doubt questioned my calm demeanor. Unbeknownst to him, I planned to see my parents a lot sooner, provided I go along with his devious scheme.
A soft grin graced his lips, and he appeared carefree compared to his usual hard facade. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep the location a surprise.”
I swallowed my juice. A romantic tactic? Wherever we jaunted off to today, I’ll pretend to be besotted. Don’t you worry, Enzo, I’ll eat out of the palm of your hand.
He handed me a velvet gift box. “Also, this is for you. I expect you to wear it at all times.” His tone left no room for argument.
I opened the rectangular box and was met with a gold necklace. The half-moon pendant held a single diamond in its center.
“It’s a GPS tracker,” he stated, matter-of -fact and unapologetic.
A tracking device? This wasn’t a gift… it was a shackle. Goodness, he really didn’t trust me, which told me one thing. I had my work cut out for me. Without protest, I took the necklace and fastened it around my neck.