Right, because this is a big joke.
An actual friend might ask if I’m okay or could guess there’s something wrong with Dad or Mom, and I need to get word to my brother.
My teeth are grinding as I type out a reply.
Me:It’s important that I talk to him.I can’t give you any more than that right now.Just believe me.It’s important.
Enzo:Since when can you not open up to me?
“Almost ready down here.”
Dammit!Guilt rushes over me and freezes my heart for a beat.I shouldn’t be doing this, at least not without giving Dante the heads-up.I’ll be damned if I ask permission to talk to an old friend, but this isn’t just any old friend.I’ll never forget watching them stare each other down the night they met.
But isn’t that even more of a reason to keep this quiet?It’s only going to piss him off.It feels like we’re finally reaching a decent place together, opening up and learning about each other.And the sex is off-the-charts phenomenal.I can’t pretend that it doesn’t play a role in my desire to preserve the peace.
For the first time, I’m about to have a post-coital breakfast with my husband, who I actually like way more than I ever figured, so I can’t ruin that by bringing up the past, even if it’s stupid hot when he gets all growly and possessive.
Me: Just please do me this favor.I can tell you everything eventually, but for now, isn’t it enough to say I need this help?Please, if you know how to get in touch with him, tell me.
“Come on, come on,” I whisper, staring down at the phone, almost mentally willing him to give me what I need while a clock ticks in my head, every second louder than the one before it.
Finally, he responds.
Enzo:I’ll see what I can do.
Fuck!I don’t like the sound of that.Is he going to sulk now because I didn’t agree that I need to be rescued?Is that what this is?Does he want that much for me to be miserable?
I have to let it go for now because a man is waiting for me downstairs who might be a future I’m ready to explore.
Me.Thank you.
I tell Enzo before closing the messages and sliding the phone into my pocket instead of ordering him to give me the fucking number already so I can talk sense to Alessandro.What is with the damn secrecy?
I’m doing the right thing, asking him for help.This may be the only way I can help us get through this, and I can’t afford to waste the chance.
Even if it means feeling a flush of guilt when I go downstairs and see Dante’s smile as he plates up a mountain of fluffy eggs.
“The food looks almost as good as the cook,” I murmur, eyeing him up as he slides a plate my way.“Good thing you weren’t frying bacon with so much skin exposed.”
“I only ever fry bacon naked,” he explains with a wink.“I like the adrenaline rush.”
He’s surprisingly happy and playful this morning, and I want to keep it that way, so instead of telling him Enzo reached out, I sit at the island and pick up my fork.And when I take a bite of the buttery eggs and moan happily, his grin widens.
I know I have made the right choice.
15
DANTE
“Do not leave my side for any reason.”When the breathtaking goddess sitting next to me doesn’t respond, I look up from the messages I’ve been exchanging with the trio of guards chaperoning us tonight.One of them sits in the front seat next to the driver, while the other two are in a separate car in front of us.I’m not takinganychances.
Sophia’s head bobs.“Everything is going to be fine.Nothing will happen out in public at an event like this.And if we go into hiding, scared of our own shadows, it will mean giving my brother what he wants.”
It’s the same speech she’s given me for the better part of a week, ever since I told her we’re not taking risks for the sake of public image, and she wasted no time disagreeing.I was hoping I’d find an ally in Papa, but he agreed with her.
I think he likes her spirit.
So do I.But at what cost?
