Izzy lets out a soft laugh. “I joined in. I’m not scared of you. Or your life.”
“Why not?”
She reaches over and taps the lamp, filling the room with a soft glow. “You know how I like a little pain?” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“Yeah, what’s that about?”
She rolls her eyes. “That wasn’t my point. I like it because it makes me feel alive.” I nod, already understanding. She goes on, “And it’s the same feeling I get when I’m hurting someone else.”
“Is torture a regular hobby for you?” I tease.
Izzy shakes her head, lips curving. “No. But now that I’ve done it… I like the way it makes me feel. The justice of it.”
“How much pain do you want, Cuore mio?” I murmur, rolling us so she’s beneath me.
Her hips lift, brushing mine. “A lot.”
“What else are you into?”
She bites her lip. “The rougher, the better.”
Hm.
Interesting.
She yelps as my fingers brush her nipple, pinching it. Hard.
"I can work with that."
36
Secrecy
Papa wants me to get involved in his businesses. I still have so much to learn. —Yours, Enzo
Izzy
We’vebeeninEnglandfor a week when Enzo finally says it’s time to head back to New York. He thinks it’s too dangerous for us to head back to the apartment—I’m inclined to agree. We’re heading to Massimo’s compound, a sprawling estate on Staten Island that’s heavily guarded and virtually impenetrable.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us, Mamma?” There’s an almost pleading tone to Enzo’s question.
Giuliana shakes her head, smile lines forming around her lips. “No,tesoro mio.I’m going home.”
Enzofrowns. “It’s not—”
“I won’t go to the house. I’ll stay with a friend until things settle,SÌ?20You’ll tell me when it’s safe?”
They say goodbye, Enzo’s mamma taking a separate jet back to Italy while we head to New York. The journey is tense, neither of us really speaking while we consider what’s going to happen next.
The plane touches down on the tarmac, and the moment we stop, we’re ushered into a waiting vehicle. Rafael sits behind the wheel.
“Welcome back,” he says, shifting into gear.
My heart lodges in my throat for the entire drive, only settling once we pass through the gates.
A shaky breath escapes me as Enzo slips his hand into mine while I step out of the car.
The front door opens, and Massimo appears, his focus locked on Enzo. His gaze flicks briefly to me.
