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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Valentina

There’s no better feeling in the world than being pinned under Enzo Cavalli’s strong, hard body as he trails kisses down your neck. Okay, no wait, maybe when he does that tongue thing to my nipples.

I melt as he runs his hands and lips over every inch of my body. With the stress of everything going on, this deep feeling of relaxation—of every trouble floating away—is so tempting.

Just as Enzo’s tongue finally snakes between my thighs, a wave of guilt hits me, and I sit up.

Confused, he moves aside and peers into my face, his breathing ragged. I study his face, so familiar yet so foreign to me now.

What am I even doing right now? Crazy people are threatening my life, and my daughter’s, and I’m here trying to get kicks with my ex?

“Enzo, I can’t,” I whisper, feeling even more guilty because I can, and I want to, but something’s blocking me.

“Lenny, it’s okay,” he whispers, sitting up and pulling me against his chest. I nuzzle into it, feeling his heart hammer like he’s running a marathon. “You had a rough day. I shouldn’t have started this. I’m sorry.”

Something about his genuine care and concern lights a fire under me, and I glance up, angry. “Don’t you dare apologize, Enzo Cavalli!”

“Wait, what?” he sits up, confused. “I’m sorry? Or I’m not sorry? I mean, I am sorry, genuinely?—”

“Shut up,” I cry, straddling him and crushing his lips in a deranged, passionate kiss. When I pull away, Enzo looks like he might make a run for it.

I’m acting so crazy. What’s wrong with me?

“You seem… confused,” he finally comments, trying to keep his voice neutral.

“I’m not confused, you buffoon!”

“Okay, okay, calm down.” He smirks, trying to hide his laughter. “No need for such harsh names.”

“I want you,” I try again, wondering why my brain is trying to sabotage me. “All I ever wanted was you.”

“Great.” He laughs, giving me two thumbs up. “I think that’s what I was trying to get across with the kissing and the going down on you, but maybe it got lost in translation?”

“Ugh,” I groan, flopping back onto the bed. “My mind is in a tailspin.”

“Tell me what you need,” he says gently, trying not to pressure me.

“I think I need…”

“Yes?”

“I need…”

“Say it, Lenny,” he whispers, his eyes growing dark and dangerous. A shiver runs through me and my pussy involuntarily clenches, sending tingles throughout my nervous system.

“I want to be fucked hard and fast,” I whisper softly. “No more emotions tonight.”

“Hmmm, I didn’t quite hear you.” He laughs, grinning like the devil. “Can you repeat that louder?”

“Enzo,” I whine, but he doesn’t budge. “I want to be fucked hard and fast!”

He cracks up laughing and heat creeps into my face, knowing I just screamed that loud enough for the entire house to hear.

“Okay, okay, quiet down. We don’t need everyone to hear.”

“You’re going to be the death of me, you know that?” I pout, turning away from him and his merciless teasing.

“You wouldn’t believe how many people tell me that,” he whispers, suddenly pressed up against my back. I arch my back into him, feeling him hard and ready behind me.

Tonight, I don’t want emotions. I don’t want to think about what this means or feel guilty for using Enzo as a means to escape reality for a bit. I just want to be fucked.

He moans, and it spurs me on. His fingers curl into my hair, pulling me closer. I gasp when he bites my shoulder, dragging his teeth against my skin to my neck.

“Is this what you want?”

“Yes,” I breathe. “Just take me.”

In one smooth motion, I’m on my back and Enzo’s sinking into me. No time for formalities or niceties tonight.

His breath is coming hard and fast as his hips thrust at a punishing pace. I cry out from the intense pleasure, and he stills for a moment, concerned.

“Are you…”

I sink my nails into his ass cheeks, pulling him as close as physically possible. He grunts, sinking deeper inside as I moan.

“I need you to not stop,” I pant, silently begging for him to wipe the concern from his face. I don’t want to be delicate right now.

He nods, understanding or at least trying to, and picks up the pace again. The feeling is delicious, exquisite, and I try to commit it all to memory—just in case he disappears from my life again.

His moans mix with mine as we find a steady rhythm. I try to meet each of his thrusts just as aggressively until we’re both riding the same wave of pleasure, searching for the high that only our bodies intertwined can give us.

I break first, chanting his name over and over like a sacred prayer. Stars explode in my field of vision, lighting up the dark room around us.

His voice seems so far away, like it’s moving through water, but I hear him call my name.

And then a quietly whispered “I love you” follows it, but I block that out as best I can.

It’s better not to go down that path again.

My eyes flutter open, blinking lazily at the sunshine streaming in. Strong arms reach out and pull me in. I smile, remembering where I am.

I settle against Enzo’s warm, hard body, feeling safe and secure for the first time in months. Years, if I’m being honest.

This time, I make no move to sneak out quietly. I’ll fight tooth and nail to stay right here, breathing in that quintessential Enzo scent—clean, manly, straight out of the shower.

My phone beeps from somewhere across the room, and I groan, remembering Matilda has an early morning flight. I wonder what time it is. There’s no way I missed it, right?

I roll out of bed, much to Enzo’s sleepy protests, and root around in my bag. I’m surprised when I see a barrage of missed calls and messages from my family.

Fear curls around my throat, making my breaths shallow like I’m inhaling through a straw.

Matilda.

I hit Uncle Luigi’s name and hold my breath, praying nothing terrible happened to her.

“Valentina,” he greets me. I can hear a flurry of activity behind him, and the panic levels ratchet up.

“Is Matilda okay?”

“Matilda?” he asks, sounding confused. “Her flight’s not until lunchtime. Didn’t you see the messages I sent about the delay? Where are you?”

“I’m sorry,” I apologize, breathing for the first time. “A lot happened, and I’ll fill you in when I’m home.”

“A lot happened here, too,” he grumbles. “The security system was disabled last night, and they got inside the house.”

My breathing stills, and tension seeps into my muscles. Enzo must have finally noticed because he comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and holding me tight.

“We’re just lucky Matilda was in California and you were out all night,” he continues. “They completely destroyed your bedroom.”

“There was no one else in the house?” I breathe, not believing what I’m hearing.

“Some of your cousins were here, but…” he trails off. “It was too late by the time they smelled fire.”

“Fire?” I screech, my voice going shrill. “Is everyone alright? Did the house burn down?”

“Valentina,” he whispers, his voice dark. “The fire was contained, but you need to realize… this was aimed directly at you. They didn’t touch anything else in the house except your room.”

“I’ll be home soon,” I choke out, ending the call. Enzo gives me a questioning look, but before I can fill him in, my phone chimes again.

A message from The8. I hit open and slump to the floor when I see the photo.

A woman lies on my bed, wearing my nicest La Perla lingerie. Her red hair is spread artfully around her, but the photo cuts off at her chin.

I read the attached message and start to shake.

It looks better on me. He looks better on me, too.