Page 53 of Enzo

I peered around, considering bolting once again, but Amara’s face popped into my head. She was my guiding light, my reason for putting up with all this shit. I cringed to imagine what she’d say to me if she could see me now.

So no, I wouldn’t risk it. I’d stay. For now.

Just as I reached for the handle, the door swung open and Enzo stood in front of me wearing boxers and a frantic look on his face.

I glared. “Can’t a girl get a little privacy?”

His expression softened and he reached for a loose strand of my hair, letting it glide between his fingers. “You can have anything you want.”

“Except for my own room or a divorce,” I taunted, although I knew he was right. There was no way out of this marriage. At least not on the grounds of my husband being too obsessed with me.

“Ready for bed?” he asked, not taking the bait. It was childish, I knew. I sidestepped him and headed back to the bedroom without another word. I could hear his exasperated breath, although his footsteps were silent as he followed me.

“You’re going to be too hot sleeping in that,” he remarked, watching me slide between the covers in my clothes.

I sent him a reproachful look, fluffing my pillows with more gusto than necessary.

“I’m sure you’d prefer I wear sexy lingerie to give you easier access.” I lay down with a huff and stared at the ceiling. “Sorry to disappoint…” I trailed off, not sorry in the slightest.

“You could wear a snowsuit, Penelope, and I’d still find you sexy.”

I peered at him through half-lidded eyes, debating how to take that comment. Under normal circumstances, I might find the words sweet, but nothing about tonight wasnormal. Not even close.

“It’s late, and I’m tired,” I said, closing my eyes. “So do yourself a favor and keep to your side of the bed. Otherwise, it won’t be you who regrets it, it’ll be your dick.”

I rolled over and gave him my back, the picture of insouciance.

And then I waited.

20

PENELOPE

Ilistened to Enzo’s breathing until it turned steady.

The day was long and I should have been exhausted, but the adrenaline pumping through my veins made it impossible to relax.

After two hours—I wasn’t leaving anything up to chance—I got to my feet and slipped out of the bedroom. The entire floor was reserved just for us, with the staff quarters in a different wing completely, but downstairs there were several rooms I hadn’t yet explored.

I padded down the spiral staircase and started trying the doors lining the corridor. Luckily, most were unlocked. I found a beautiful study with shelves of books covering all four walls, a music studio, and an office where several monitors hung.

I was just about to poke my head in and inspect what was obviously the security room when I heard a giggle and I took a step back.

“You just sit here every night, doing nothing?” a female voice asked. “Doesn’t it get boring?”

“It isn’t boring anymore,” a second voice said.

“Can I come back tomorrow too?” the woman asked. I heard some shuffling and almost burst out laughing as a series of grunts and moans followed.Okay then.

Keeping to the shadows, I continued exploring the house until I found the door that led out onto the docks. Careful not to make a noise, I pushed the handle down and slipped through, leaving it open behind me.

“Holy shit,” I breathed, watching the white monstrosity bobbing merrily thirty yards out into the water. It was too big to dock in front of Enzo’s home, and I recalled him mentioning something about having it anchored nearby.I guess he left out the part about it being aprivatemarina, I thought to myself, internally rolling my eyes. I scanned the five levels of luxury. Although I couldn’t make out all the details in the dark, I was certain it had everything one could want.

My eyes fell to the little dinghy right next to it and suddenly an idea dawned on me.

“Honeymoon no more,” I muttered gleefully as I got to work.

ENZO