Page 30 of Enzo (Legacy of Heathens #3)

PENELOPE

I almost stumbled into the foyer. If I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. Enzo and Amara, sitting on the bottom step of the staircase, flowers smashed in her lap as she hugged him with the biggest grin I’d seen on her face in a very long time.

My husband’s eyes met mine, the fury I expected to see in them nonexistent.

Suddenly, Mama’s words rang in my ears. Could we make this marriage work, despite the deceit? Maybe.

But Enzo was right about one thing: marriage in our world was for life, and it seemed a moot point to live it in misery.

“Hello, Penelope.”

A shiver ghosted through me, hearing his refined yet slightly rough voice.

“Enzo.”

My sister stood up and came over to us, smiling happily and waving her bouquet. “Look what Enzo got me. Just because.”

“They’re beautiful,” Mama said. “Let’s put them in water so they stay fresh.”

“They’re lovely, Amara.” I didn’t get to see her when I first arrived, so I pulled her in for a hug, then reached for the bag I left on the table earlier. “I got these in Naples. They’re for you.” My sister’s eyes lit up, and as she dug through the bag, I quickly added, “It’s not from Milan, but?—”

She gasped.

“They’re beautiful, Pen. Just beautiful.” My chest warmed. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Then the two of them disappeared into the kitchen, a silence settling in the wake of the excitement.

“I missed you this morning,” he said, his voice rough.

Darkness and vehemence looked back at me, but there was also a slightly desperate look in his eyes, begging me for something that I didn’t know if I could give.

A chance.

“I shouldn’t be surprised you found me so fast.”

“I’ll always find you.”

“Kind of creepy,” I muttered, but there was no bite to my words.

“Maybe, but it’s my way of keeping you safe.” In a strange way, that actually made sense. “Don’t run again, wife. Someone could have gotten their hands on you and?—”

His eyes met mine and I swallowed, only now recognizing all the dangers I could have encountered on my way back to Sicily.

“Sorry for worrying you.” Strangely, I meant that too. “You look… well.”

He smiled. “How did you know about my allergy?”

I snorted a laugh, then rushed to cover my mouth, eyes wide. “Oh… I—your stepmom let it slip during the reception.”

“Ah, yes.” How did he seem so… calm, cool, and collected? Any other man would be furious, and the fact that Enzo wasn’t puzzled me.

“It seems to have gone away.”

“Isla has EpiPens stocked throughout all our properties. It turned out to be a good thing this morning.”

I winced.

“That serious?” He nodded, stepping forward until he loomed over me. “Ugh, I’m sorry, then. I should have thought it through. All of it.”

“I deceived you, so I deserved it.” He took another step forward, forcing my back to hit the wall. His arms came up on either side of me, caging me in with his body and scent. “I want to start over, wife.”

I remained silent, studying him. Enzo was very easy on the eyes, an Italian god, and every woman’s wet dream. Tall. Muscular. Tanned. Full lips and high cheekbones. All of it wrapped in a dark aura that only added to the appeal.

“I want to earn your trust,” he said slowly, watching me with burning embers in his eyes.

Anticipation buzzed in my veins, but I ignored it. If this marriage were to work, we’d need to set some ground rules.

“Okay, but I have conditions.”

His forehead came to rest against mine, the move already so familiar even though we’d only known each other a few days. “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

“No more lies.”

I held my breath until he gave me his answer. “Okay.”

Oh, well… that was easy. Too easy? I continued, building steam now. “I want to be consulted on anything involving me. Like this honeymoon.”

Enzo brushed a finger over my cheek. “Fair enough. Would you like to cancel it altogether?”

“Not necessarily cancel it, but I don’t want to be away from Amara,” I admitted.

His jaw ticced in thought, and he remained silent for several heartbeats.

“How about I rent a house nearby and have my yacht docked in Palermo?” I looked at him hopefully.

“With your papà’s permission, of course.

We can take smaller trips around the island, and we’ll be close to Amara.

It’ll also give you a chance to volunteer at the hospital—” He cut himself off, realizing he’d inadvertently broached invasion-of-privacy territory.

“I’d like that,” I said, watching him through half-lidded eyes. “Thank you.”

His lips brushed against mine, making my heart flutter. “I don’t think I can refuse you much, Penelope.”

I was sure I had more conditions, but when he put it that way…

“About your stalking…” I swallowed, worried I might be asking for too much too soon. “That’s not… good. Nor is it necessary, now that we’re married.”

He let out a sardonic breath. “No.”

“What do you mean ‘no’?”

He shook his head, his eyes flickering with something heavy.

“I mean it isn’t up for negotiation. I’ll agree to just about anything, but compromising your safety is out of the question.

” His tone was dark, and I had a feeling there’d be no leeway when it came to this topic.

“You’re smart, Penelope, and you know better than most women how dangerous our world can be. Especially for you.”

He was right, but it didn’t mean he had to stalk me.

“Why can’t I just tell you whatever you want to know about me? I’ll even let you assign me my own security detail,” I suggested.

“I’ll be your protection. I’m not trusting some idiot with your safety. And I can’t protect you if I’m not watching you at all times.”

I let out an exasperated breath.

“Well, now you sound just like my papà.” I shook my head. “He always acts like he’s my mother’s shield when in fact she’s quite capable of protecting herself. And so am I.”

Judging by his expression, my words must have shocked him.

“It’s not an insult,” I grumbled, not quite sure why I was explaining myself. Except… I did, didn’t I? If he was making an effort, so would I.

“Thank you, I suppose.”

I patted his chest and smiled. “I think… we can make this work.”

His eyes flashed again, but this time full of fire and something rough and untamed that burned my insides. We stood still, our breaths mingling and our gazes drowning in each other.

He opened his mouth. “Penelope, I?—”

“We’re back.” Amara’s singsong voice filled the foyer, and we both looked in her direction. “Are you two staying for lunch? Mama wants to know.”

My husband and I shared a look, and I nodded. “If it’s okay with you.”

“Yes, thank you, Amara.”

My sister clapped her hands excitedly. “Maybe we can have our first appointment today!”

I hadn’t a clue what she was talking about, but Enzo smiled warmly and said, “I’d love that.”