Page 96 of King of War

Enzo shakes his head. “He was hardly conscious by the time I was done with him. His jaw was broken, some teeth knocked out. I guess he tried to tell me, but I never gave him the chance. I know about his life, but he doesn’t know I know he’s still alive. And I think we should probably keep it that way.”

I’m quiet for a moment, trying to process all of this and what, if anything, it means for us. “You said at first you didn’t tell me because you were jealous, but what about after that? When you found out what Ethan did?”

He drops his head into his free hand for a few seconds before he meets my eyes again. “I couldn’t find the words, Rayne. There never seemed to be a good moment, and then things started getting better between us and I didn’t want you to think I was using this as some kind of way to get you back. I wanted you to stay for me, not because of him.”

“And now?”

“Like I said, I don’t want any secrets between us. And whenever we talk about the past, I can tell you never wanted to bring him up. Still trying to protect me from what you thought I’d done, even though I don’t deserve it.”

I lace my fingers through his. “I will always protect you, Enzo Medici. Even when you don’t deserve it.”

His lips twitch in a smile. “Can you forgive me for hiding this from you?”

The waiter brings our burgers, interrupting the moment and giving me time to think. I shouldn’t be surprised that Enzo couldn’t kill his best friend. When it came down to it, he protected him, just like he protected me. Enzo is a man of honor and principle. His loyalty is the thing both his father and Carmine wanted from him so desperately that they were willing to ruin his life, not to mention mine and Tommy’s, to secure it.

When the waiter leaves, Enzo watches me, waiting for my answer. “Yes, I forgive you. And I’m very happy to see that you didn’t kill him. Tommy was always a good friend to you, to both of us.”

He nods, sadness in his eyes. “I know that now, baby.”

“I’m really glad you told me, and that you brought me here on this unexpected road trip.”

He winks, and my skin blooms with heat.

“How far away is that hotel?” I ask cheekily.

That gets me a laugh. A loud, unapologetic laugh from the most dangerous man in Nevada, the same man who can command an entire room with just a look. But only I get this part of him, and it’s a privilege I don’t take lightly. He leans across the table, dragging his thumb over my lower lip. “About a half hour away.” His voice drops to a low growl. “Do you need to be fucked, baby?”

I blush to the roots of my hair, but a quick glance around confirms nobody is in earshot. “Always.”

He groans like he’s in distress. “You’re fucking insatiable. Eat your food, and then I’ll take you to the hotel and take care of you.”

I flutter my eyelashes. “Promise?”

He leans closer and kisses me softly. “I’ll take care of you right here at this table if you keep looking at me like that.”

Oh, that sounds dangerously exciting, even if it would also be mortifying. “Don’t threaten me with a good time, sir.”

“I’m not playing, Rayne. Behave, or all of these fine customers will hear the sweet little sounds you make when you come.” He tears off a chunk of his burger with his teeth, and dammit, even the way he eats is sexy as hell.

I do think about pushing him to make good on that threat, but I am ravenously hungry, and as delicious as it is to imagine how hot it would be for him to defile me here at this table, I’m not sure the reality of losing control in a diner full of truckers and teenagers is high on my bucket list. So I behave, blow him a kiss, and then devour my burger.

Chapter

Forty-Six

RAYNE

Idon’t know what it is about Enzo Medici, but any time spent in his company leaves me feeling only one way lately—hornier than a cat in heat. Actually, I do know what it is. It’s because he’s always looking at me like he wants to fuck me where I stand. Or devour me whole. Or both.

By the time we leave the diner, my panties are damp and I’m thinking of all the ways he might make me come when we get to the hotel, and what mode of delivery I’d prefer first. Fingers, mouth, or cock? All a solid choice.

Speaking of solid, he grabs me from behind and kisses the nape of my neck while he rubs his hard length against the small of my back. “Enzo,” I moan.

That elicits a deep, throaty chuckle from him. “I recognize that tone, baby. Does my girl need to come?”

“Yes,” I say, sounding far too desperate for my liking. But having spent the past two weeks giving me orgasms on demand, he’s created a monster in me.

His lips dust over my neck to the shell of my ear as he guides me to the bike. “I have an idea.”