15. Elena
Chapter fifteen
Elena
Enzo’s hands are old and frail in mine.
I never envisioned it would get this bad, but after what the doctor called a hypovolemic shock from the massive bleeding in his foot and a ruptured axillary artery in his shoulder, he had to be moved here to the Intensive Care Unit until further notice.
I struggle to keep the tears from slipping down my cheeks.
Just two days ago, his vitals were stable, and today he’s hooked up to all these machines in the ICU.
“I may be an old man, but I’m not dying anytime soon.” Those were the words he told me back at the mansion when he could still speak clearly. I’d shot him a murderous glance at the mere mention of death.
“You don’t deserve all of this,” I sniffle, tears dropping to the bouquet of flowers in my hands.
Even when he was under Father’s tight grasp, Enzo still showed me and Bella as much care as he could.
Particularly me, since I was the one Father kept involved because of, according to him, my “useful beauty.” He gave me tips on how to survive in this ruthless mafia world… how to deal with being a puppet in it.
He might carry the guilt of not being able to protect his daughter, but I know he was a good father. And I’m sure if his wife and daughter were here, they’d be proud of how much care he’s shown my sister and I.
My sobs become a full-blown breakdown. “And this is what you get...”
He smiles weakly and tries to speak, but no sound comes out. My heart clenches at his broken expression.
One of the guards assigned to watch his room comes in with the nurse.
“Ma’am, I have to administer his medication now,” she says, setting down a tray of IV bags.
“I’ll be back,” I say, lifting his hand to my lips.
Taking one last look, I can see the pain etched into his pale, clammy skin. Unable to bear it, I turn away, hurrying out of the room as quickly as possible.
I swear I’ll never forgive him. Never.
***
Adriano Bellandini.
I’ve always known him as Adrian Cole; thinking of his real name makes me feel like I’m thinking of a complete stranger. After all, he was nothing like the man I thought I knew.
Since my father’s death, I’d told myself I was never going to be invested in a man. I turned to my business instead, pouring my life into making it rise above mediocrity. But the first time I met him, the entire defense I had built around my heart unraveled, and I let him have me.
A tear slips down my cheek.
The same man looked into my eyes and ruthlessly shot the man who had been a father figure to me since my bastard father died. He even threatened to kill me.
I can never forget running to the living room that day and seeing a pile of dead bodies neatly stacked on top of one another. He might as well be a psychopath.
But why does it hurt so much? Why have I been unable to put myself together and get my work done since that revelatory day? Or live my life like he never existed?
What’s this piercing feeling in my heart, like it’ll burst through my chest?
Puddles whines sadly at the foot of the bed, so I reach my hand out, lifting him onto my lap. We’re alike in so many ways—two lonely souls with absolutely no one to protect us.
Suddenly, there are gunshots, and I freeze, straining to hear exactly what’s going on out there as I pull Puddles closer. I cuddle him tighter against my chest right as a massive explosion rattles the entire room, sending shards of glass from the window in our direction.
Puddles yelps loudly, wrenching himself from my arms. Instinctively, I roll off the bed, scrambling across the shards of glass on the floor as another bullet whips past my ear and into the headboard where I’d been resting only seconds ago.
What the fuck?
My heart is thudding violently in my chest as I manage to fling the bedroom door open, hurrying after Puddles to shut him up before he leads whoever it is right to us.
“Puddles! Pudd—”
Then it dawns on me: he’s dashing toward Enzo’s office. Smart dog! Unfortunately, Enzo is not here now.
Whoever is trying to kill us will eventually find a way and put a bullet in our brains. A hand grabs me forcefully from behind a wall in the hallway. My nails reach up to where I think his eyes should be, but he’s faster, his heavy palms cuffing my wrists, pinning my back up against his chest.
Wait, I know this fragrance. Pushing away from him, I spin sharply.
“What the…” He clamps a hand over my mouth, shaking his head. I can hear Puddles scratching against Enzo’s door now, whining to be allowed in.
Adrian narrows his eyes as the blood trickling from my palms drips on his boots. The adrenaline wears off, and I realize I’ve been cut by the shards of glass in the room.
“Fuck. You’re hurt,” he growls, taking my hands to scan them. I yank them away from his grip, hissing. And fuck, do I hate how my heart races at his proximity.
“Don’t touch me,” I sneer.
“Quiet,” he snaps, grabbing my hand again and picking out two tiny shards of glass. I hiss in pain, gritting my teeth to stop the tears burning my eyes. Truthfully, I can’t decide if the tears are because of the glass or him.
“Don't you have any shame? Returning here after ruining everything?”
He ignores me and pulls a handkerchief out of his back pocket, wrapping my hands with it. “Stay here,” he demands.
“You lost the privilege to tell me what to do,” I whisper, snatching my hands from his again.
He stares at me, nostrils flaring, but doesn’t say anything. Cocking his gun, he heads out from behind the wall, returning fire as gunshots ring through the air almost endlessly.
I’m grateful when the silence finally comes, and I still hear Puddles barking in the distance. Peeking my head out, I tiptoe toward Enzo’s office, where Puddles is crouched down, his nose stuck under the door.
“Who’s after us?” I whisper to Puddles, cradling him in my arms. Have Enzo’s enemies come to take advantage of his vulnerability? Puddles wags his tail restlessly, whimpering. Then I shake my head, tears rushing down my face. This may not be the best time, but…
“What is he even doing here?” I whisper to the empty hallway. “Has he come to finish what he started?”
“We have to leave.” That cold, commanding voice interrupts suddenly, and irritation pricks my spine. Wiping my face with the back of my hand, I turn around, clutching Puddles to my chest.
“Now,” he adds.
“You’ve caused enough damage,” I rasp, marching until I’m right in front of his stupidly perfect face. “At least have the dignity to leave me be.”
Bumping into his shoulder, I march back upstairs to my room, but in a split second, he lunges and yanks me back.
My back slams against his chest, but he catches my weight with his forearm, keeping Puddles from being crushed between us. The terrified dog struggles to break out of my arms, and I let him drop to the floor.
“You’re not staying here alone.” His voice is rough… final. And that sparks a fuse in my chest.
“Well, I wasn’t always alone, was I? A certain somebody ruined shit for my family, killed everyone, and tried to kill Enzo.” My chest heaves from the weight of my anger. “Who knows if you were even the one behind those death threats.”
His face contorts painfully. The devil now has a conscience. Fucking great.
“Elena…”
“Take your filthy hypocrisy elsewhere,” I whisper, my voice cracking. “I’m not going anywhere with you…”
“We’re leaving, Elena. That’s a fucking command.” His voice resounds loudly across the empty hallway, stilling both Puddles and me. But I manage to lift my chin.
“I said no.”
He cusses thickly, then runs a hand through his hair in frustration. I half expect him to haul me over his shoulder and take me forcefully, but the next thing he does stuns me. He closes the distance between us and crushes his lips against mine.
I’m stupid. So fucking stupid. I should hate him for ruining everything. I should be angry… slap him, throw a tantrum. But I find myself pressing deeper into the kiss with renewed urgency, lacing my arms around his neck as tightly as I can.
He returns the favor, arms wrapping tightly around me, his rough hands sliding down the length of my back and neck. Then slowly, he peels back, staring at me with a hint of…pain? Restraint?
“Stop me now,” he whispers, brushing a stray strand from my face.
My teary eyes lift to his. “No.”
He crashes his lips to mine roughly, his teeth scraping my lower lip, his tongue pushing its way into my mouth while his hands lock firm on my neck and hip, anchoring me in place.
My hands are fisting in his hair, grabbing on as if my life depends on it. He snatches my hands away, pinning them behind me and spinning me around until my breasts are pressed against the wall and his hard dick is shoved into my back.
“I’m done playing games. You’re mine, Elena. Mine!” he roars against my ear.
I struggle to rub my ass against his dick as his fingers fist into my hair, his teeth scraping my neck. Somehow, my anger returns.
“You’re the last person who’ll ever own me.”
I turn around forcefully, eyes blazing with fury. “You’re nothing but a sick—”
His lips snatch mine up again, and I push myself back. “…lying—”
His hands grab my breasts. “…bastard—” I groan, my breath heaving, my eyes snapping shut right as I catch the cruel amusement in his eyes.
“You were saying?” He smirks, his fingers pinching and kneading my nipples over the fabric of my night top until there’s a flood between my legs.
My head knows his hands shouldn’t be on me, but my body wants it more than anything I’ve ever wanted.
My fingers reach to tear the buttons off his shirt, but he quickly pulls back, a dark chuckle resounding through the empty hallway.
“I do the touching, Principessa. Lay your hands on me again, and you’ll get a good spanking,” he threatens, his eyes narrowing into slits.
Red flushes my cheeks and neck in anger. “Spanking?” I laugh dryly. “You wouldn’t dare, Adrian…”
His hand reaches in between my thighs, rubbing furiously at my clit through the thin cotton of my night shorts. “The name’s Adriano. Say it.”