Why else did I love and marry someone like him? Why else was I standing here, his brother’s bride, physically threatened by his killer, and yet I was picturing images of vicious, horrible, violating things done to my body by a murderer while getting wet?
Enzio’s honey eyes penetrated me the same way Cosimo’s had done. They shone with a familiar glimmer that messed with my head, clouding my judgment and making me do reckless things. Now more than ever.
His lips parted, and his tongue darted to lick his lower lip. As much as I hated to admit it, it was as sexy as when Cosimo did it, even with the obnoxious smell of blood and cigarettes in Enzio’s mouth.
He inched a brow and stared at my lips and down my body. Then he pulled my hair harder, pushing me back to the cold tiles of the wall. “We can hate each other all we want. Doesn’t mean we can’t have our fun with it.”
I gulped. “The only fun I’ll ever have with you is when I rip your heart out and feel it bleed all over my hand.”
His sickening smirk returned to mock me. Then his thumb stroked my jaw and brushed over my lip. A move Cosimo loved to tease me with. “Wanna bet?”
This wasn’t fair. Enzio looking like this, behaving like this, moving like this. My heart wanted to explode.
Spit on him again. Knee him in the balls. Headbutt him and break his nose.Do anything except letting his finger trail down your neck, your chest, your fucking waist… He’s untying your robe, bitch. Do something.
Mario cried, stopping Enzio’s hand midway, saving me from Enzio, saving me from myself.
Closing my eyes, I exhaled in relief. “I have to feed him.”
His fist clenched around my belt. His eyes and breath blazed. Then a muscle pulsed in his jaw before he drew back and spun. “Yeah. When you’re done, get dressed. We need to show our faces at the reception. You’d better not give me any more trouble. I had enough for one day.”
Chapter 9
Bianca
When I held my son, I had the strength to do anything. Breathe when all I wanted was to drop dead. Grin at my wedding guests when I should be sobbing my heart out. Lie to their faces when the truth was too much to reveal. Kiss my mother-in-law when I should strangle her to death. Twine my fingers with Enzio’s when I should crush his bones.
“Keep it up.” He breathed down my neck. “You’re still not fooling Marta, but the others…maybe a little bit.”
When I pulled the will card, I was buying myself some time until I figured out a plan to save my ass. There was no way I’d consummate this marriage, with or without an audience. Maybe if I played along a little longer, people wouldn’t be watching me get raped to get their rocks off. Maybe I wouldn’t have to worry about that. At least.
He pulled away and looked over my shoulder. “Alfarez is coming our way.” He reached for my boy. “Give me Mario and go talk to him.” Then his nose nuzzled against my hair. “I hope you’ll tell him to go home and take his posse in the Camaros outside the hotel with him.”
Shit. I nodded as he took Mario from my arms. My baby’s little hand stretched in the air for me as if he couldn’t bear the distance just like me. I kissed his little fingers, smiling at him. “It’s okay. Just go with Enzio for a minute. I’ll be right back.”
“Give him to me.” Alfarez stepped between Enzio and me, gesturing at Mario with his arm. “I miss the little whiner. I barely played with him today.”
“Me neither. When you finish with my lovely bride, come to my table. We’ll play together.” Enzio winked as he spun away with my son. Now that Enzio knew Alfarez was planning to help me and Mario escape, he wouldn’t let Alfarez near my baby.
Alfarez swore under his breath the second he was no longer in Enzio’s earshot. Then he looked at me. “Are you okay? How are you feeling now? The fuckers wouldn’t let me near you. I was going nuts.”
“I’m okay.”
“You don’t sound okay, Bianca. The old hag said the doctor assured them you were fine. Was she lying to me? What is it? What happened? Did your fucking husband do anything to you? Did he hurt you?”
I lied less effectively now. Mario was the source of my strength. Without him in my arms, I felt like a useless piece of shit that couldn’t do shit. “My health is good. Enzio did…nothing. I know how to handle him. Don’t worry. But you need to go.” I glanced around to see if anyone was listening. Then I whispered in Spanish, “He knows everything. The knife, the Camaros…” I plastered a little, fake smile as guests passed by. “If you go now, you’ll be safe. I need you safe.”
He shook his head. “So do I.”
“Listen, Papi, this was stupid. Let’s just be thankful we’re both still in one piece and forget anything happened.”
“Mija, por favor—”
“I’m gonna miss you, Papi.” I raised my voice, yelling over the music for everyone to hear, pulling his arms and wrapped them around me in an embrace.
He squeezed me angrily, but his safety meant a lot more to me than caring about upsetting him. As I drew back, I kissed his cheek. “After they open Cosimo’s will, wait for my call,” I whispered and kissed the other cheek. “Thank you so much for today. I’ll see you soon,” I said loudly this time.
“Si, mija. Take care.” He planted a kiss on my hand, linked arms with me and took me to the table of the bride and groom. He smiled at Mario, tickling my baby’s cheek. “I’ll see you soon, little buddy.” Then he directed his smile to Enzio. “Congratulations again, Don Enzio. Thank you so much for letting me be here today. I wish you both along, happylife together.”
