Page 91 of King of War

He nods. “And yet you got to live in San Francisco, in your cute little apartment a few miles from the beach, and practice your photography in that studio by the boardwalk.”

Dread licks a path along my spine. Have they been spying on me all these years? “How do you even know any of that?”

“There’s a reason you got to enjoy your life in peace and safety, Rayne. There’s a reason Enzo was loyal to Carmine. You’re a smart woman. I’m sure you can connect those dots for yourself.”

After dropping that bombshell, he walks out of the kitchen, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts. Enzo traded my safety for his loyalty to Carmine. But why would he do that when he thought I’d betrayed him. When he hated me?

I spent the first year after I left living in fear of someone finding me. Eventually, I stopped worrying every time I left the house, or a car backfired in the street. All those years that followed I just assumed that I’d been left in peace because I was quiet and kept my mouth closed. That I wasn’t worth the time and effort of hunting down and killing. But it was because of Enzo—protecting me like he’s done almost my entire life.

Tears burn behind my eyes and I angrily swat them away. I do forgive him for what happened, but can I ever move past it? More importantly, can I believe that he would always trust me in future? His behavior since I came back to Vegas would say yes, that he’s a different man than the one I left behind. Different, but in so many ways the same.

“You need any help in here, baby?” His voice carries through the kitchen, and despite everything, I’m happy to hear it. I realize I’m always happy to hear it, even when I pretend I’m not.

I roll back my shoulders, pick up the ice cream, and plaster a smile on my face before I spin to face him. “I’m good.”

He nods, brow furrowed like he doesn’t quite believe me.

I nudge his arm. “We’d better get back in there before Rafael and Angelo eat all the cherry pie without us.”

For the longest moment, he doesn’t say or do anything, other than regard me with suspicion. Eventually, his eyes drop to the ice cream I’m still holding onto, currently melting, condensation dripping from the carton. “You’re getting yourself all wet,” he emphasizes the last word.

Now this is more familiar territory—one that I can work with. I give him a wicked grin. “That’s never bothered you before.”

He slaps my ass hard, making me squeal. “Don’t force me to make you miss your dessert because I’m too busy eating mine, Rayne,” he warns on a growl.

“Fine.” I let out an exaggerated sigh and head out of the kitchen, a few steps in front of him. Knowing he’ll be staring at my ass, I give it an extra sway. This is easier than thinking about the implications of my conversation with Luca a few moments ago. Much easier than thinking about the sacrifice Enzo made for me, even when he had every reason to hate me.

Chapter

Forty-Four

ENZO

Even if she doesn’t stay, tonight was a success. For the rest of my days I will remember this night for the sound of her musical laughter and the sparkle in her eyes—the kind I worried I might never see again. Even if she doesn’t stay…

Fuck that. I’m gonna make her stay if it kills me.

I see the last of my brothers out and head to the kitchen to find her loading dishes into the dishwasher. “I would have taken care of that,” I tell her.

She wipes her hand on a dish towel. “I was happy to help. And it’s all done now.”

Her choice of words provokes something in me. I’m across the expanse of kitchen in three strides, until I’m standing directly in front of her. “Are we done too?”

She drops the towel onto the counter and tips her chin so she’s staring up at me. “What you did tonight was wonderful. Thank you.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Rafael suggested I get you a Bugatti or a tiger.”

Her eyes sparkle with excitement. “Oh my god. That would have been so cool.”

My hand goes to her waist of its own accord, like I can’t be near her and not be touching her. “I know that you’re talking about the tiger and not the three-million-dollar car. And that wasn’t an answer to my question.”

She rests her hand on my cheek, pushes onto her tiptoes, and presses her lips over mine. Obviously, she’s trying to distract me, and obviously, it works. My free arm snakes around her waist and I crush her to me, taking full control of the kiss. I claim her mouth with my tongue, wanting to possess every inch of her. She moans and I swallow the sound, letting her grind herself against my rapidly hardening cock.

Without breaking our kiss, I pick her up and wrap her legs around my waist. I’ll get answers from her later. Right now, all I want is this. My mouth on hers. My hands on her body. My cock inside the heaven of her wet pussy.

I carry her straight to bed, lay her down and peel off her clothes, kissing every inch of her skin as I expose it to the cool air. She shivers with every brush of my fingers on her flesh.

Sitting back on my haunches, I admire her naked body, drinking in every bit of her like I might never get the chance to again. “You’re so fucking beautiful, baby.”