Page 51 of The Devil

Enzo has only been kind to me.

“If you need me, just have Enzo call,” Cassia says. “Or I can give you my number.”

I hold the pencil out to her, and she writes it down on the paper, then she looks at me again. “You’ll be okay. Try not to stress too much. Enzo might come across as…harsh, but he won’t hurt you.”

He’s never been harsh with me, so I’m not sure why she feels the need to say that.

“Cassia,” Enzo suddenly says, his tone brisk.

My eyes snap to the doorway, and I notice he’s put on a clean shirt.

“Yeah-yeah. I’m leaving,” Cassia mumbles as she leaves the kitchen.

Out of habit, I lower my head, and feeling unbelievably nervous, I begin to nibble on my thumbnail.

I hear Enzo move and quickly pull my hand away from my mouth.

“Jenna,” he murmurs, his voice soft and gentle again.

I swallow hard on my nerves and look up.

The corner of his mouth lifts as he comes to a stop, mere inches from me, and just like earlier, he says, “Hi.”

A smile begins to quiver around my lips, and my heartbeat sets off at a crazy pace when I gather all the courage I have to whisper, “Hi.”

A pleased expression settles on his face. He lifts his hand and tucks some of my hair behind my ear. “Let’s move to the living room so we can talk.”

I nod, and as I start to walk, he waits for me to go first before he follows. I have to resist the urge to glance over my shoulder, and when we reach the living room, I sit down on the nearest spot.

Enzo takes a seat on the other couch, and there’s a pang of disappointment because he didn’t want to sit beside me.

Don’t be stupid!

Let’s face it. You’ve fantasized about the man, but that’s all it will ever be.

When he leans back, there’s a flash of pain on his face which I don’t like at all. “I’m sure you have questions–”

Darting to my feet, I hurry back to the kitchen, where I grab painkillers, water, and the notepad and pencil. I return to the living room with my haul and set everything down on the coffee table.

Opening the painkillers, I shake two into my palm before I move closer to Enzo, holding them out to him.

He takes the pills with a grateful smile, and after I pass him the water, I watch as he swallows the medication.

Satisfied, I sit down on the floor near his legs and pull the notepad closer. I pick up the pencil, then stare at the paper.

The last time I saw Enzo, he killed four men and disappeared. I have so many questions, and the only way I’ll get answers is by asking them all.

Why did you kill the robbers?

He leans forward, resting his forearms on his thighs as he reads what I’ve written, then his eyes flick to my face.

“They were a danger to you.”

Oh wow. I didn’t expect him to say that.

I don’t know what he sees on my face, but it has him adding, “I will always do everything in my power to protect you, Jenna.”

I didn’t expect him to say that, either.