Behind me, it's not long before I hear the sound of an explosion, signaling that my plan's been successful.
I sneak out, taking the clothes Lia had hidden for me in a nook in the convent, and then I manage to get out by showing a fake staff ID.
While everyone is hurrying towards the fire, I'm heading away from it.
One more name.
Soon.
54
ENZO
Foldingmy arms across my chest, I watch as they carry Cristina out of the restroom on a stretcher.
How many more people have to die under my roof?
I'd seen her before the cleaners had gotten to the site, and for all the gore of the scene, I couldn't muster any pity for her.
Allegra, Allegra, what am I going to do with you?
I'd been growing suspicious for a while, and the moment I'd caught her with Luca, sporting such a carefree expression—so unlike Chiara—I'd known something was amiss. I'd tried to push her to see how far she'd take the ruse, but she'd kept her head high and had barely wavered in her act.
My suspicions had been confirmed later at the hospital when I'd seen the way her heart reacted to my declarations. While everything I'd said had been true, I'd also chosen my words carefully to elicit a response from her.
I'd taken Lia aside a few days later and managed to get the truth out of her. Allegra was awake and well—but also bent on revenge. And I was one of her targets. Lia had also informed me of her plans for the ball, so I'd gone along with her act.
If she wants her revenge, then she's going to have it. I said I'ddo anything for her, and if that's what she desires most, then it's going to be hers.
To say I'm heartbroken, though, is an understatement. Holding her in my arms and seeing the disdain in her eyes, the way she talked about herphilandering husbandhad me doubting everything I'd done up to this point.
Did I make the right decision?
But when she'd started talking about fucking another man, I'd simply snapped. I wanted to leave my mark on her in such a way that she'd never consider letting another touch her.
Damn it!
I fucked up because I couldn't keep my hands off her. Five years and never once did I feel the urge before, but one minute with my hands on her skin, my cock in her mouth, and I'd exploded—animalistic primitivism and adoring obsession filling me with a need to make her mine again.
I probably would have stopped at that too, since I hadn't planned on actually fucking her. That little savage, though, I should have known she'd never back down without a fight—especially since she thinks I've betrayed her.
The moment she'd bitten down on my cock… God, even now the pain makes me shudder. It's like I lost it. One moment I'd been level-headed, then the next I wanted to fuck her bloody.
Fucking hell!
I lost my goddamn mind, and I went too far. And now she probably hates me even more.
My fists clench in frustration as I realize just how much I screwed up.
I'd rehearsed so many times the things I'd say to her when she woke up, ranging from profuse apologies to professions of eternal love. All of them had involved me getting on my knees in front of her and asking for her forgiveness, and what did I do? I madeherget on her knees for me.
I'm a fucking idiot.
I think it's safe to say I let my other head do the thinking for a good minute.
Seeing the extreme lengths she'd gone to in order to get her revenge, it's clear that one measly apology won't cut it, no matter how much time I spend on my knees. No, I'll just have to give her revenge and hope that maybe she'll have it in her heart to spare me.
At this point… doubtful.
