Page 20 of Enzo (Legacy of Heathens #3)

PENELOPE

“ I ’m not going anywhere,” I gritted, glaring at my reflection in the mirror. I had changed yet again, opting for simple jeans, a warm sweater, and flats. My cell phone was tucked safely in my back pocket, buzzing like a bee. But I had bigger problems to deal with.

“Sweetheart—”

“He got what he wanted. We’re married. I don’t want a honeymoon. I want him to get lost.”

My sister sat with her legs crisscrossed on the bed, her eyes sullen. The sight alone gutted me. How could my mama even suggest that I go along with Enzo when Amara needed me?

“Penelope,” my mother cut in, “you know we would set this world on fire for you.” She stood at Amara’s back, lightly brushing her hair back. “But Enzo is your husband and honeymoons are… traditional.”

I snorted. “Tradition, my ass.”

“What happens on a honeymoon?” Amara asked innocently. “Do you travel the world?”

“Ah… yes. Something like that,” Mama confirmed, looking uncomfortable while turmoil churned inside me.

I’d have to sleep with Enzo—this was it.

“Penelope, you’ve done the hardest part.

For better or for worse, you’re a married woman now.

See how your trip goes. We’ll continue with Amara’s treatments, and then…

” She trailed off, but I filled in the blanks easily.

My sister needed all our attention. A war against the Marchettis would hinder her chances at recovery, and she couldn’t afford that. Her life was at stake.

My shoulders slumped and I nodded.

“I have a feeling all will be well,” she added, although I wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince. Herself or me.

“How am I supposed to pack when I have no fucking idea where I’m going?” I muttered.

“Just pack something for every season.” Mama glanced around, then slipped a Swiss-made knife and a handgun into my open, empty suitcase sprawled on the bed.

“These are for you,” she murmured, and I turned to stare at the weapons with widened eyes.

“Papà and I taught you self-defense for a reason, don’t be afraid to use it. ”

“You just said all will be well,” I reminded her, pushing my hand through my hair. “What if I kill him?”

“Oh, Pen, you’re not a killer,” Amara stated softly. “Damiano and Armani, on the other hand…”

“Your sister’s right. This is just a precaution.

” Mama stepped toward me and whispered, “The Marchettis are not telling us something, and I don’t want you helpless.

” Then she strode to my closet and started throwing random clothes into my suitcase.

“Enzo asked me to ship all your stuff to his home in Rome and a travel suitcase to Naples.”

I groaned. “I don’t want to live with the Marchettis.”

“You won’t have to. He lives alone, on a private property about twenty minutes away from his family. It’ll give you two privacy.”

I was almost fully packed when my brothers barged into the room.

“Shouldn’t you be with Papà?” I questioned.

Damiano waved his hand. “Uncle Cassio has his back. If I stayed another minute around those smug assholes, I would have shot them.”

There was no mistaking who he was talking about.

“Yeah, we got tired of all the oldies blabbing,” Armani chimed in, always the one to lighten the mood. “So how does it feel to be a Marchetti?”

I glared at him. “Shut up, Armani.”

He laughed. “Sore subject, huh?”

“One day you two will have to get married,” I said pointedly. “I’ll get my payback then.”

“But we’ll still be DiMauros,” Armani boasted at the same time Damiano said, “And if we never get married?”

“Hush, all of you.” Mama sighed and narrowed her eyes at my brothers. “And you two will get married. How do you expect the DiMauro line to continue?”

Armani shrugged, taking a seat on the bed and positioning himself protectively next to Amara as he said, “Damiano can marry and have babies. I’m too young for that shit.”

Mama threw her hands in the air while Amara and I rolled our eyes. He was a year younger than Damiano.

Amara shoved her shoulder against Armani, although her frail frame could barely dent his bulky one. “If you don’t want kids, you should stop looking inside ladies’ panties.”

The shocked expression on my brothers’ and mama’s faces was comical.

I grinned. “Nice one, sis.”

“No, not a nice one.” Mama finally got herself together. “And where did you hear that phrase?”

She shrugged. “Armani.”

If glares could kill, my brothers would be dead right now. “You two are corrupting my baby.”

They instantly sobered, hanging their heads and muttering, “Sorry.”

Mama shuffled out of my bedroom and I turned to my siblings. “By the way, make sure any cats wandering the property are intact for the foreseeable future.”

Their eyes flashed with curiosity. “Why?”

“I might be looking to become a widow,” I said, half joking.

“Tell me more,” Damiano demanded, leaning forward. I should’ve known they’d be game—my brothers were always up for trouble and chaos.

Armani frowned. “Wait. Cats? You mean dogs, right? You’ve always been a dog person.”

“Nope, I meant cats,” I said with a wink. “But don’t worry about it. Just a joke.”

Damiano squinted at me. “I still don’t get it.”

I opened my mouth to explain but Amara’s voice stopped me. “Shh.”

We all froze, following her gaze. Enzo was standing in the hallway.

Damiano’s eyes hardened and he placed himself in front of me, blocking me from Enzo’s view. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for my wife,” my husband answered calmly. “If my new sister-in-law doesn’t mind, of course.”

He flashed a warm smile at Amara and I could tell she was slowly but surely falling under his spell. Great .

Damiano, on the other hand, looked about ready to explode. He had a temper he still struggled to control.

“Brother,” I said quietly. “It’s okay.”

His eyes darted to me, scanning worriedly, and I nodded. Enzo made an impatient sound and stepped around him, then wrapped his arm around my hip. “Let’s go.”

“We should stay a bit longer,” I rasped desperately, looking at my sister. “I shouldn’t have to leave my family for my current husband. We don’t need a honeymoon. It’s not like it’s a real marriage.”

Without warning, Enzo grasped my chin and kissed me harshly. I stilled, unable to react before he released me abruptly.

“See, that’s where you’re wrong. It’s very real, Penelope.” His eyes lingered on my lips as he said, “Say goodbye to your family.”

I turned back to my siblings, various horrified expressions painted on their faces. But my sister was the one who surprised me when she puffed out her chest and settled her gaze on Enzo.

Her lips curled into a wry smirk as she said, “If you hurt my sister, I’ll fuck you over,” in the most deadpan delivery I’d ever witnessed from an eleven-year-old.

I could do nothing but stare at her in shock while my brothers murmured, “Attagirl,” and patted her on the back.

Enzo didn’t miss a beat. “Duly noted.”

Amara, seemingly content, looked at me and smiled. “I love you, Pen.”

Before I could return the sentiment, Enzo hoisted me over his shoulder, despite my struggling, and strode away from my family and the people that mattered the most to me.