Page 47

Never.That’s what I want to say, but I don’t, biting my tongue hard enough for blood to coat my mouth. Just thinking that has sweat beading at my temples.

“In a few days.” My heart deflates, sulking in a corner all bruised and small.

“Make it this Saturday.” He hangs up and the phone slips from my hand, crashing down onto the floor, scattering that small hope.

I am Luciana Rossi. My life is not mine. I should have never forgotten that in the first place. What tears at my sanity with the sharp teeth of a jackal is that it’s so easy to forget everything else when I am with Enzo.

In the last two weeks, the less I was me, the more I became someone who experienced happiness for the first time.

I can’t kill him. That’s an irrefutable fact.

Maybe we can hide our relationship. But what life would that be?

He will find out who my parents are. I have no doubt about that and Adamo can go fuck himself. I have enough blackmail material to keep him in check.

How do I make Enzo accept the only viable option available? He has an empire to run, and he has been neglecting it to spend more time with me. When we’re together, our world is secondary, just like our responsibilities. But we can’t hide forever.

Playing tour guide, he has shown me his favorite places in the city. The only place he didn’t take me is the compound, but I understand his hesitation. I have to stay in order for him to introduce me to his family. I doubt they’d like me. His best friend hates me with a passion. Mikail doesn’t waste any opportunity to provoke me. He can trigger me like no one else.

While Enzo hopes that we’ll get along, I have my doubts. We’re both distrustful of the other and share a common trait: we’re easily riled up. Last night we drew our guns while having dinner at the penthouse.

He was mad that Enzo brought me to their meeting and I got intel on stuff as if I were a corporate spy.

Plus, his sister surely knows what my intentions were when I came here. From what I gathered, Mikhail and Dahlia are somewhat close. He must have ratted me out. So, no, I am not keen on meeting the other two women in his life.

As the sun sets beyond the horizon and the city comes to life for the second time in a day, I lounge by the outside pool, waiting for his return home.

He has a meeting regarding some shipments and new directions with the American Irish boss of New York. I don’t care that they’re apparently friends. Tristan Kinkaid is a ruthless, power-hungry asshole who killed everyone to get to the top. He’s a strategist of the worst kind with zero scruples.

As part of my job, I have intel about anyone and anything at just a tip of my finger.

I can’t help but worry about Enzo’s well-being. I’d much rather be there to keep everyone in check. My protectiveness over him is so overwhelming that it takes everything in me to stay still. Every second, my restlessness increases, swallowing my rationality.

I tread my legs through the water, causing it to lash at the edges of the pool as if trying to carve its way free when I feel him. Everything in me soothes and comes alive, buzzing in his presence. An army of butterflies flap their wings, conquering my belly, just like he does my insides.

My eyes peruse every inch of him, making sure he’s all right. I expel a long breath, hating how the thought of something happening to him makes me a mess—vulnerable and terrified.

Not wanting him to see me this affected like I am not a damn killer but a fragile woman, I swallow the lump stuck in my throat. “How was the meeting?”

He cocks his head, hands in his pockets, looking like the epitome of male strength—devastatingly handsome, ruthless, in control.

“Just informed us about wanting to become an associate of The Syndicate.”

“The trio of hell? Even the Council has them on their radar. Are you planning to become an associate?”

Kieran, the bank owner, Cato, the Mafia heir, and Cameron, the star politician, have amassed tremendous power in the last eight years. They play the game well. Too well. But as long as their names don’t get on my list, they can enjoy their power.

“It’s better to have them at the table. One hand washing the other is how you make sure your empire thrives.”

Pushing himself off the wall, he strides toward me. Every step steeled in predatory elegance. He crouches in front of me. Curling his hand at my nape and dragging me to him, he steals my breath with his intense kiss that always leaves me hungry for more.

“I’ve missed the fuck out of you, mio angelo.”

I don’t have a favorite pet name, but when he puts the “mine” before it, my heartbeats reach a deafening crescendo.

“Anything new?” I ask instead, not so open with my feelings like he is, but it doesn’t seem to bother him. He lets me walk at my pace, because he’s never too far anyway—controlling yet keeping a bit of distance. He’s taming me all right that I expect to be fully domesticated and realize only when it’s too late. By then, I’d love my new life too much to rebel against—he’s so damn astute and emotionally intelligent.

“You’ll be the first to know. You have my word; I will leave no lead unfollowed until I find out.”