I could help him.
I wanted to.
“Change of plans,” I said, going over to the wall mirror and checking my reflection. “I’m going to need a ride to Enzo’s place.”
“Are you sure that’s—”
I shot him a terse look. “If I want your opinion, I’ll ask.”
“Very well.” He gave me a small nod. “I’ll fetch the car.”
“You do that. I’ll be five minutes.” That gave me enough time to add some gloss to my lips and blush to my cheeks. I didn’t bother to change out of my skinny jeans and hoodie. I’d never dressed to impress Enzo before, I wasn’t about to start now.
But I would make him hear me out.
Because Nora Hildi Abato didn’t take no for an answer.
There was something between us. Something undeniable, something I wasn’t about to ignore because he decided he couldn’t deal with his feelings.
With a new sense of resolve, I grabbed my purse and keys, and headed for Maurice.
Enzo lived in a small apartment building right where the edge of University Hill met Romany Square. I’d been here a few times before. It was a complete man cave, gray walls with dark gray and black accents. The kitchen was all black hi-gloss cabinets and polished chrome handles. It was sleek and edgy and reminded me of the dangerous guy that lived there.
Matteo stayed there too sometimes, but from what I gathered, he often stayed at home with his family. Not Enzo though. He liked his space.
Maurice let the SUV roll to a stop and climbed out, coming around to open my door. I beat him to it though, leaping out. “I’ll be okay, you can wait here.”
“Miss Ab—”
“Nora. For the love of God, call me Nora,” I mumbled.
It had been weeks, but he still insisted on keeping things strictly professional.
“You can see the door from here. I’ll be going to Enzo’s apartment. He can protect me.”
The words did strange things to my stomach, not that I imagined he would be pleased to see me after this morning.
“I’ll see you inside.”
“Ugh, fine.” I took off toward the building, determination steeling my spine. But my plan was quickly thwarted when Enzo didn’t answer his buzzer.
Crap.
What the hell was I going to do now?
Then I spotted a guy coming toward the door. He frowned as he exited the building and I grabbed the door, slipping around him to go inside.
Thankfully, he didn’t try to stop me, and I climbed the two flights of stairs to Enzo’s apartment. Adrenaline coursed through me. I’d lost it. Completely and utterly lost it. Ari had told me to give him space. Hell, even Maurice tried to tell me not to come. But I never was one to listen. Besides, if you wanted something, you had to fight for it.
And I wanted Enzo in all his dark, brooding glory.
Coming to a stop, I lifted my hand to knock when I noticed the door was ajar.
“Miss Abato, maybe I should—” Maurice’s concern rolled off my shoulders as I stepped inside, assaulted with the scent of liquor and weed. The place was a mess, littered with empty bottles and glasses.
“Enzo?” I called, dread slithering through me. It had been a few hours since I last saw him, but still, it looked like he’d had a party.
My heart galloped in my chest as I moved deeper into the apartment, down the hall toward his room. I knew I should call someone. Nicco, maybe. But I didn’t want to leave without knowing he was okay.
“Enzo?” I called again, checking the bathroom. Then I heard it. A groan coming from his bedroom.
Relief flooded me. He was okay.
Enzo was okay.
Well he obviously wasn’t okay given whatever had gone down here in the middle of the day, but he was alive.
I pressed my palm against his bedroom door, taking a deep breath, and pushed it open. “Enzo? It’s me—”
The words died on my tongue.
“What the fuck?” He murmured, pushing up, fixing his bloodshot eyes on me. “Nora?” His brows drew together, his icy cold glare pinning me in place.
But I was too fixed on the person beside him.
The naked girl with her hair fanned out around her as she slept peacefully.
Bile clawed up my throat as realization crashed over me. “You bastard.” The words tore from my throat in a rush of air.
“Nora?” He rubbed his eyes as if he didn’t know if I was real or not.
“And to think I came here to make sure you were okay. Because I care. I fucking care about you...” Pain flooded