Chapter 25
ENZO
Pride doesn’t begin to describe what I’m feeling for Jenna. Not because she got me off, but because she took a huge step toward healing.
While I show her how to make rissóis, she keeps stealing glances at me. “What’s on your mind, meu amor?”
She looks up at me, and as her lips part, she suddenly bursts out in tears.
“No! Why?” I quickly wipe my hands clean on a towel before I frame her face, worry pouring into my chest.
Did I push her too hard?
“I…I…” Jenna stammers through the sobs, then her eyes lock on mine, and she says, “I love you.” She wraps her arms around me and continues, “I’ve never been this happy before, and it’s overwhelming.”
Stunned, I stand frozen to the spot, unable to believe what she just said.
Jenna pulls away and tilts her head back, then her eyebrows draw together in confusion. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m…” I shake my head, overcome with so many emotions, they rattle me. “No one’s ever said that to me.”
Her bottom lip juts out, and her chin quivers.
“I love you, Enzo. So much, it feels like it’s going to make my heart burst wide open.
” She lifts her hand and places it on my jaw.
“I thought I had to give up all my dreams, but then you came, and one by one you’re making them all come true.
” Her hand moves to my chest. “To others, you might be the devil, but to me you’re a guardian angel. ”
Gently taking hold of her chin, I lean down and kiss her, needing to taste the most perfect words I’ve ever heard. They wrap around me like a protective shroud, making me feel invincible and like I can conquer the world.
Pulling an inch back, I look deep into her blue and green eyes.
“You own every inch of my heart, body, and soul, meu anjinho.” I pull my fingers through her silky strands while basking in the love written all over her face.
“I had to claw my way out of hell, but if I knew a perfect angel was waiting here to show me what heaven was like, I would’ve come much sooner. ”
“Oh, Enzo,” she breathes, tears still rolling down her cheeks.
“I would’ve gone to hell for you.” She pushes herself up on her tiptoes and gives me a kiss that feels like a promise.
I’m right because when she pulls back an inch, she vows, “I love you and will never leave your side, because it’s the only place I’m safe.
You’ve given me a reason to live again.” A sob sputters from her.
“It’s like you’re my own personal cure that’s healing me from all the trauma. ”
I pull her against my chest, and as I hold the most precious being who’s all mine, I murmur, “I will worship at your feet until the day I die, and even then, I will raise hell to find you in the afterlife.”
For the longest moment, we hold each other while our confessions and promises weave a magical force field around us, binding us together for all eternity.
When we return to making rissóis, there’s a smile on Jenna’s face that lights up her eyes.
After we’re done frying the pastries, I hear the front door open, then Santiago calls out, “What smells so good?” He comes into the kitchen with his wife, Ciara. “Looks like we’re just in time.”
Before I can shake my head, Dominik and Grace come in, followed by Leo and Cassia, who says, “We brought steaks and salad. The men are grilling while the women are catching up on gossip.”
When Cassia lays eyes on Jenna, she stops dead in her tracks and surprise flutters over her face. “Oh my God, Jenna! You look beautiful. Is that a new outfit?” She comes toward my woman and pulls her into a hug. “I missed you the past week.”
Jenna just nods, and when she remains silent, I realize I forgot about her selective mutism because she’s fine talking to me now.
“Yes, it’s new. I took her shopping. That’s why you couldn’t come over,” I tell Cassia on Jenna’s behalf.
My little angel gives me a thankful look while she slips her hand into mine.
Leaning down, I ask her, “Will you be okay hanging out with the women, or do you want to stay with me?”
She stands on her tiptoes and by my ear she whispers, “Too many people. Can I spend a few minutes alone with Cassia, then I’ll come back to you?”
“Of course, meu amor.” I glance at everyone and say, “Let’s take this outside to the veranda so Jenna can have a moment alone with Cassia.” I press a kiss to Jenna’s forehead. “Come straight to me once you’re done.”
She nods, then keeps her head lowered while everyone files out of the kitchen.
I’ve become very protective of her, and for a moment I hesitate, but then Cassia says, “You know she’s safe with me.”
I give Jenna another kiss on the forehead before I tear myself away from her, and once I step outside, I stalk to the veranda, instantly feeling moody.
I notice Dominik and Grace walking toward the dock and figure he needs some space. He’s always been a bit of a hermit and gets stressed when he’s around people for long periods of time.
When I reluctantly sit down, Santiago says, “You’re looking good.” My eyes snap to his, then he adds, “And so does Jenna. Dare I say things are working out between the two of you?”
I nod, and wanting to change the subject, I look at Leo and ask, “When are you returning to Italy?”
He lets out a chuckle. “Why? Can’t wait to get rid of me?”
I shake my head.
“I’m kidding,” he mutters. “Cassia and I are leaving tomorrow. But you’ll have Santiago and Dominik as backup. Not that you’ve needed any.”
There’s no bite to his tone, which sets me at ease.
As I glance back at Santiago, my eyes touch on Ciara for a second. I think they’ve been married five to six years, and they have two kids.
“Was the road clear when you came through?” I ask.
“The bodies were gone, and they were uploading all the motorcycles on flatbeds, but you left a shit show behind. Cops crawling all over the place.”
I shrug. “They threatened Jenna.”
“Well, that explains it then,” Santiago chuckles. “Any of us would’ve done the same.”
“So what’s next?” Leo asks.
“I’m just going to hang around for a week or two longer and make sure the MC has been dealt with and everything is running smoothly at the factory, then we’ll probably go to Lisbon.”
“You need to bring Jenna to the island. I think she’ll like it,” Santiago says.
“Talking about the island. You and Dominik can head back. I’ll be fine. Just leave a team of guards.”
“You just can’t wait to be rid of us all, can you?” he teases me.
“Of course not,” I say the words with a straight face, but a moment later, the corner of my mouth lifts, and Santiago doesn’t miss it.
“I’m growing on you, aren’t I?” he asks.
“Like a rash,” I mutter.
Dominik and Grace come to join us, and he mentions, “I’m taking Grace home. She misses the kid.”
I gesture at Santiago. “I was just telling him you can all head home. I think the worst is over.”
“Nah, I’ll hang back until you leave,” Santiago says. “You know, to make sure you don’t kill everyone in the St. Louis area.” There’s a mischievous glint in his eye, then he adds, “So I’m inviting myself to move in here tomorrow because I’m not staying at the motel alone.”
Merda.
I inhale a deep breath, then nod because I can’t be rude. “Just be cautious around Jenna.”
He lifts an eyebrow at me. “Seriously?”
A short chuckle escapes me, stunning everyone. “Yeah-yeah.”
JENNA
You were right.
I watch as Cassia reads the words on my phone, then she asks, “About what?”
Enzo.
A wide smile stretches across her face. “Yeah?” She pulls me toward the island so we can sit, then she says, “Tell me everything!”
My fingers fly over the phone as I type.
The past week I got to spend with him was the best! He’s been so patient with me, and he understands my past, which makes things much easier for me. And he’s so protective! I’ve never felt so safe in all my life.
Cassia looks like a proud mom who’s about to cry.
“I’m so happy for you, Jenna. You deserve this.
” She lifts her arm and places it on my shoulder.
“I’m returning to Greece tomorrow. I want you to program my number into your phone right now, if you haven’t already, because I demand we keep in touch.
I’ve grown really fond of our friendship.
” Her features tighten. “You’re like a little sister to me. ”
My heart melts, and I begin to type, but then rethink it. Looking at Cassia again, I whisper, “I feel the same.”
Her face crumbles, and she pulls me into a hug. “You’re going to make me ruin my makeup!”
We hold each other for a few seconds, then I pull back and type quickly.
I’m going to miss you. I hope I get to see you again.
She reads the words, then replies, “Oh, we’ll definitely see each other on the island. I think you’ll love it there, so tell Enzo to attend the meetings in person and not via FaceTime.”
I nod, making a mental note of that.
She taps a manicured nail on the screen. “Do you have my number?”
I shake my head, and we quickly program it into my phone, then I call her so she’ll have mine.
Cassia puts her phone away in her handbag and turns her attention back to me. “If you ever need anything, call me.”
I nod, giving her a thankful look.
Enzo comes into the kitchen, and she scowls at him. “That wasn’t even thirty minutes.”
“I’m getting drinks for everyone,” he mutters, his tone brisk.
“We’ll help you carry everything,” she says, climbing to her feet.
I get up as well, and we empty the shopping bags before removing the meat from its packaging. I find a plastic container to put it all in and carry it outside, while Enzo and Cassia bring waters and sodas.
When we get to the veranda, Santiago asks, “Don’t you have any fruit juice?”
“Or alcohol,” the other man, who has the same dark hair as Enzo, says.
I freeze in my tracks and tilt my head a little forward so my hair hangs like curtains on either side of my face.
“Nope, it’s either soda or water,” Cassia replies. She glances at me. “Have you met everyone?”
I shake my head, and when Enzo comes to place his arm around my shoulders, I’m super thankful. He takes the container from me and sets it down on a table. I turn my body into his side and wrap my arm around his lower back, pressing as close to him as I can get.
“You know Santiago, and that’s his wife, Ciara.” Cassia moves to the next couple. “Dominik and Grace.” Then she gestures at the man who asked about the alcohol. “And Leo.”
I just nod, my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, and because everyone is looking at me, my face goes up in flames, and I move partially behind Enzo.
I’m a little disappointed in myself. I’m so comfortable with Enzo and Cassia, I thought the shyness was getting better, but it hasn’t.
Enzo takes hold of my arm and leads me to a chair, where he sits down before pulling me onto his lap.
“You make such a cute couple,” Cassia says as she sits down beside us.
They begin to talk about things I know nothing about, and instead of listening to the conversation, I rest my cheek against Enzo’s shoulder. My eyes focus on something red on his other shoulder, and I dart upright. When I lean closer, and I see it’s blood, I gasp. “You’re bleeding!”
I instantly forget about our guests.
I climb off his lap, grab his hand, and tug at his arm so he’ll stand up. My mountain of a man finally moves, and I drag him back into the house.
In the kitchen, I undo the buttons of his vest and shirt, and I carefully remove them so that I can get a clear look at his shoulder.
“It’s barely a scratch,” Enzo says, his tone soft.
I shoot him an unhappy look. “Scratch, my butt.”
He shakes his head. “The bullet grazed me.”
I go to the cupboard and grab the first aid kit while saying, “You don’t even have your stitches out from the last time you got shot. Is this something I should worry about?”
“No.”
Setting the bag down on the island, I quickly dig out an antiseptic wipe and make a mental note to get more supplies.
When I have to lift myself onto my toes, Enzo takes a seat and pulls me closer to stand between his thighs. His eyes are glued to my face, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
I carefully wipe the blood off and see that the wound looks like the grass burns I used to get whenever I fell off my bicycle.
I take out a small bandage and stick it over the raw spot, then meet Enzo’s gaze. “You need to be more careful.”
“Okay.”
“Promise,” I demand.
When he only nods, I lift my eyebrow at him and demand, “I want to hear you say it.”
“I promise, meu anjinho.”
I pull his shirt and vest back over his shoulders and fasten the buttons again, and enjoy the sight of his bare chest, while I get the chance.
When I’m done, and I try to step backward, Enzo grabs my hips to hold me in place.
He leans forward and presses a kiss to my mouth, then admits, “I like it when you fuss over me.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and smile at him. “I like it, too.”
Not caring that we have guests, Enzo wraps his fingers around my throat before he proceeds to kiss me thoroughly.