“He’ll pull through. Uncle T is made of strong stuff.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Enzo went rigid and I brushed my nose over his jaw. “Sorry, that was insensitive. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“He has to be, Gattina. Nicco isn’t ready to become the boss.”
I still couldn’t believe Enzo’s one-eighty. Not that I was complaining. I loved this side of him. Protective and possessive, it was everything I’d wanted. Everything I’d hoped for. But there was still a little voice in the back of my mind whispering that Enzo was here out of obligation and guilt.
I didn’t want to overanalyze, but I couldn’t help it. If I’d have never stayed over at Luca’s, and if the package had never been left outside La Stella, would I be here now, wrapped in Enzo’s arms?
I liked to think we would have found our way back to one another eventually, but a small part of me knew circumstances played a helping hand in things.
“What is it?” Enzo whispered against my neck, his warm breath and the gentle strum of his fingers against my stomach made all my doubts disappear.
“I’m just thinking about Nicco.”
“He’ll be okay. Ari is with him; she’ll keep him sane.”
“How long do you think we’ll have to stay here for?” I asked him, stirring the pan of boiling pasta.
“Until I know you’re one-hundred percent safe.”
“Nothing is ever certain,” I said.
He stiffened again. “Yeah, well, until this fucker is in the ground, I want you where I can keep you safe.”
A thrill went through me at his words. But for as much as I was enjoying having him all to myself, I didn’t like the idea of hiding away forever.
I had classes. I had a life to get back to.
My cell vibrated and I slid it across the counter to read the incoming message.
“Is that—”
I quickly shielded it from Enzo, but it was too late.
“He’s texting you?” Anger coated his words.
“He just wants to know I’m okay.”
“I bet he does,” Enzo grumbled, and I turned in his arms.
“Luca is… was a friend. He isn’t just going to disappear because we’re… doing this.”
“It’s cute you still can’t say it.” A slow smirk spread over Enzo’s lips.
“No labels, remember?” If I labelled it, it would be real, and if it was real, it would be more painful if it all went wrong.
His eyes darkened as he dropped his head to mine. “I don’t know how else to say it, Gattina, but you’re mine. I know I don’t deserve you. Fuck, I know that. But I have never felt more scared than I did when Maurice called.”
Emotion balled in my throat as he pierced me with his icy-blue gaze. “Enzo, I—”
The blare of his cell cut through the room.
“You should get that,” I said with a resigned sigh. “It could be Nicco.”
He hesitated for a second then pulled away to dig out his cell phone.
“Yeah… thank fuck. Okay, she’s fine… yeah, got it. Tell him I’m glad he’s okay.” He hung up and let out a long, steady breath. “Uncle Toni is okay, he’s awake.”
“That’s great news.” I launched myself at him, hugging him tight.
“Fuck, Gattina,” he whispered. “I was scared there for a minute that he wasn’t going to make it.”
“It’s okay.” My hands slid to his face as I brushed my lips over his. “Everything is going to be okay.”
I only hoped it was the truth.
“God, Enzo, more,” I breathed as his tongue lapped at my core, taking me higher and higher.
“You taste so fucking good.” He speared me with two fingers inside, curling them deep. My fingers tugged his hair, holding him in place as I arched into his mouth, desperate for more.
“My kitty is greedy,” he purred, the words vibrating through me, tiny shocks of pleasure drenching my veins.
My ‘tea Rex’ t-shirt was bunched around my shoulders, giving Enzo the perfect opportunity to tease my breasts. His big hand plucked and squeezed, marking my flesh like he’d already marked my heart.
“Fuck, you taste good. I can’t get enough.”
His dirty words sent my orgasm crashing over me as I cried his name into the night.
He licked me clean, moaning with appreciation before rocking back on his haunches and gazing down at me.
“My turn?” I smirked, ready to sit up and wrap my lips around his monster dick. But his wicked grin turned my insides to molten lava.
“I’m not done with you yet.” He grabbed my hips and flipped me onto my stomach, dragging