“You assumed based on the fact that I like to go out to clubs and drink. But I never let a man touch me. I never wanted to risk getting pregnant. I could hide my drinking from my father but not a pregnancy. So I just… never tried. And I didn’t want you to have any power over me but I guess we’re past that point. I’m just tired of people thinking I deserve to be treated like crap because you all think I’ve slept around. Well, I haven’t. And even if I had, I wouldn’t deserve to be treated like crap in the first place. Now you have no excuse. I’m a virgin.”
Enzo sighs. “You’re a confusing woman, Kira.”
“And you confuse me,” I whisper.
“I confuse you?”
“You make me feel things. But I hate you. It doesn’t make any sense. I shouldn’t trust you and yet…” I trust Enzo more than I do Matteo. In fact, all I have is Enzo right now, given that he’s my husband. I don’t belong to my brother and father any more.
“I don’t think you deserve to have bad things happen to you,” he admits. “Whether you’ve slept with anybody or not. So tell me what happened. I can tell something bad happened.”
“You can’t stand me.”
“That’s true. But I’m also fascinated by you. So tell me.”
I look into my husband’s eyes and all I want is to trust him but what if he doesn’t believe me? What if he chooses Matteo over me? What if he can’t ever look at me the same way?
“Can you hold me?” I whisper instead.
Enzo’s eyes widen before he gently pulls me into his arms. I never knew he had the power to act this way. The ability to be gentle.
“Kira, tell me.”
“It doesn’t matter. I just want to feel safe.” I want to feel safe with Enzo. I’m tired of fighting him all the time. I’m tired of fighting for everything my entire life. I just want to be at peace. I want to be accepted for who I really am.
Enzo tightens his arms around me. “You are safe with me.”
“I want to believe it.”
“Then believe it. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m not going to start a war with your family. I said my vows and I meant them.”
For the first time since meeting Enzo, I allow myself to be truly vulnerable before him and I sink deeper into his arms.
Chapter Twelve
Kira
Ijoin Enzo at his club. Being alone in our house makes me too scared that Matteo is going to find me again and try to hurt me. I still haven’t told Enzo about Matteo. If he knew, I’d never be allowed to leave the house ever again.
Crystal is at the club, dancing around a pole. It’s still day time but I guess she has to practice before the club opens.
Enzo doesn’t even spare Crystal a second glance as he goes to his office. I follow behind. The memory of Enzo touching me on his desk is implanted in my mind.
When he glances at me, I flush, looking away. I want Enzo to touch me again but all I can think about is Matteo’s hands on my skin when I didn’t want them.
“I can’t believe you lied to me about you being a virgin,” he says. “I never would have known.”
“I’m a good liar.”
“That’s the scary part.” He settles behind his desk and starts working. With nothing else to do, I sit on the couch across from his desk and scroll on my phone. Watching TikTok videos helps me not think of Matteo.
The door to his office opens and a man enters – one I’ve never seen before. He’s conventionally handsome but a little older. Probably in his forties.
“Marco,” Enzo says in a wary tone. “Nice to see you.”
Marco gives me a disgusted look before turning to Enzo. “You broughtherhere?”
“She is my wife after all.”
