She grabbed the robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door, wrapped it around herself, and padded across the room.
Enzo leaned against the doorjamb when she opened it, his posture casual, his eyes anything but. His gaze swept over her slowly, carefully, like he was confirming she was real.
He said quietly, “You look like you were calling it a night. And here I was, about to see if you wanted dinner.”
“Enzo,” she breathed.
The sound of his name was enough. She stepped forward and threw her arms around his neck, pressing her face into his shoulder. “I was so worried,” she said, her voice muffled. “Jamie said you were fine, but I kept thinking they’d keep you. Or—” She stopped herself.
Enzo’s arms closed around her, strong and solid. “Logan helped,” he said. “Answered questions. Smoothed things over. There were enough guns involved that no one wanted to argue against self-defense.” He pulled back just enough to look at her. “I’m here.”
She nodded, blinking fast. Relief washed through her so hard her knees nearly buckled.
He guided her inside and closed the door behind him. For a moment, they just stood there, the silence thick with everything they hadn’t said yet.
Kathleen took a breath. “Jamie told me what you said. About me.”
Enzo’s brow furrowed. “He had no right?—”
“I’m glad he did,” she interrupted gently. “You were right. About all of it.” She swallowed. “I didn’t realize how trapped I felt until someone said it out loud. Until you saw it. Until you saw me.” She pressed her fist over her heart for emphasis.
She looked at him then, really looked at him. The danger, the scars, the man who would never be safe or simple. And still…
“I’m falling in love with you,” she said quietly. The words scared her. They thrilled her, too. “And that terrifies me. But I needed you to know.”
Enzo’s breath hitched. For once, he didn’t hide it.
“You saved me,” he said, just as quietly. “From a life that looked full from the outside and was empty as hell on the inside. I didn’t even realize how alone I was until you walked into it.” His voice roughened. “I love you, Kathleen. I don’t know how or when it happened. I just know it did.”
Her chest tightened. “So what do we do now?”
EPILOGUE
“That was incredible,” Logan said. “My compliments to the chef.”
Enzo smiled. “I will pass it along. Maria and her husband, Aldo, are amazing at creating the perfect meals. I feel so fortunate to have found them.”
Kathleen let out a small sigh. Life was good. Great, in fact. “I wish your better halves could have come with you.”
“Me too,” Gage agreed, “but with Dani pregnant, I didn’t think it was a good idea to bring her along. She’s not feeling the best these days.”
Mitch snorted. “Not to mention this is not going to be fun, and none of them wanted to be in the middle of it.”
“Can’t blame them there,” Kathleen agreed. “Still, it would have been lovely to see them all. I think you guys should come back and visit again when you can all come and stay longer.” She immediately glanced at Enzo. She’d just invited people to his winery without asking. “Er, that is…I mean?—”
Enzo grinned at her. “I wholeheartedly agree.” He reached over and grabbed her hand, squeezing it. “You may invite anyone you like to visit us here.”
Warmth flooded her. Us. She loved the sound of that. The fact that Enzo made her feel so welcome, so loved, was still a thrill to her. He’d opened his life to her, and she’d responded in kind. Life was truly spectacular at the moment.
Enzo filled the wine glasses again. “You think it’s going to be rough? You guys did help the Bishops out of some trouble.”
“And they us,” agreed Gage, “but they are still bitter.”
Mitch dropped his napkin on the table. “Honestly, I don’t know why they’re so pissed off. It’s Dad and us that should be angry.”
Logan looked as if he might admonish his brother, but he simply nodded. “It’s true. There are legal implications to all this as well.”
“I’m sorry they are being so prickly.” Kathleen took a sip of wine and then put her glass down. “The thing is… You have no idea what their mother told them about your dad and you guys. It sounds like she wasn’t in the best place after her husband died.”
