Page 101 of Tainted Obsession 1

He strokes my hair. “No,dolcezza.We’re about to have a visitor.”

Fifteen minutes later, the doctor is gone, and Carmen beams at me as she settles into the plush armchair across from the couch where we’re seated.

“It’s so good to see you, Evelyn. Massimo has been keeping you well guarded.” She shoots him an exaggerated pout. “He wouldn’t let me visit until today.”

He drapes his arm over me and tucks me close to his side. I lean into him, sighing in contentment.

“He’s been taking good care of me,” I say. “I’m all better now.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Carmen replies with genuine warmth. “Stefano and I have been very worried with you two shut up in here. We weren’t sure if you were on your deathbed since Massimo wouldn’t let anyone in to see you.”

Another exaggeration and a slight jab. I’m sure that the doctor kept her informed on my progress; she’s his boss. She clearly isn’t pleased that Massimo has been keeping her locked out of a suite in her own home.

But she allowed us privacy, so she must’ve sensed that fighting with him would accomplish nothing except upsetting me. Carmen is shrewd as well as caring. She feels concern for me and possibly something like friendship, but she knows how to navigate tense situations with dangerous men.

“I hope you haven’t been too bored,” she drawls, another pointed remark.

“Not at all.” I defend Massimo. “He’s been teaching me Italian. Now, I’ll be ready to speak the language when we go to Naples.”

Her eyes cut to him. “Are you so keen to go soon?”

A muscle ticks in his jaw for half a second, but he manages a genial smile. “Our business is concluded. Gian and Enzo sent the payment from our end weeks ago. We can all start makingmoney now. It’s time for me to go home and oversee the final aspects of our deal.”

Her dark brows lift. “And what about your other business here in Mexico City? I was under the impression that it was unfinished.”

I tense, not caring for the conversation about their criminal empires. Even though I’ve accepted this part of Massimo’s life, I don’t like hearing the details.

His thumb traces soothing circles on my upper arm, but he keeps his glinting gaze fixed on Carmen. “I haven’t forgotten about that. I intend to see the job through, but I need to get Evelyn safely to Naples first. I’ll come back to tie up the loose end as soon as she’s settled.”

“What? No,” I protest.

I can’t bear to be parted from him. My addiction to him should scare me, but I’m too lost in our connection to care. And the prospect of being alone in Naples with his mafia associates unnerves me.

“I want to stay with you.”

Carmen studies my panicked features. Her crimson-painted lips thin to a slash as she considers me. Then her sharp gaze cuts back to Massimo.

“Go with Evelyn. Stefano and I will handle Crawford.”

My heart skips a beat.George.

My ex-fiancé is the loose end they’re discussing. Massimo and Duarte want him dead.

Even though I know I won’t be safe as long as George is alive, having him killed disturbs me.

Will I ever become accustomed to this violent world where justice and retribution are dealt out in blood?

“I made a promise,” Massimo counters, his thumb still stroking my arm. “I intend to keep it.”

Carmen dismisses the notion with a flick of her manicured fingers. “And I’m releasing you from that promise. Besides, Stefano will prefer to handle this personally after the brazen attack on our home. Our new business venture is too important for you to linger here.”

“Evelyn won’t be safe until I end Crawford.”

I shift against him, but he keeps his attention fixed on Carmen. His arm tightens around me slightly, a reassuring embrace.

He won’t apologize for his intention to eliminate George as a threat, and I don’t expect him to. I understand him well enough now to know that he’ll do anything to protect me. I have to trust in him if we’re going to be together.

“I am more than capable of defending my own territory,” Carmen says coolly. “Crawford is a threat. I do not tolerate threats.” She tips her chin in my direction. “Take Evelyn home. I’ll call you when it’s done.”