Page 116 of Secrets of the Brother
The problem was… who would protect me from him?
CHAPTER30
ENZO
Icould still feel the sting from her bite mark on my shoulder.
If I had my flask with me, I would splash it with alcohol to prolong the delicious ache.
There was something so darkly erotic about knowing my flesh bore the mark of my girl’s mouth. If my life wasn’t such a cocked-up mess right now, I’d head to Rome to get it tattooed over, just so every time I looked in the mirror, I would see the red crescent marks from her sharp teeth and remember this moment.
I raised my arm and ran the palm of my hand over the back of her head, smoothing her soft curls as I held her tight.
The damp night air had caused her usually wavy hair to tangle and curl into a sexy, tousled mess. I gently pulled a small twig free from her locks and tossed it aside. I then placed my coat over her shoulders.
She whimpered slightly.
I tightened my hold on her as I leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Not much longer, baby.” I rubbed her upper arms to keep her warm
We were waiting for Alfonso. Our little stunt had knocked both cars out of commission. Neither would start. Fortunately we were not that far from the villa.
After a few more minutes, I saw headlights through the forest gloom.
Alfonso rolled up in my father’s Fiat 124 Spider Lusso. He pulled to the side and jumped out. Crossing behind the car, he pulled open the passenger side door.
I rose from the log where I had been sitting with Bianca tucked on my lap and carried her to the car. A warm blast of air hit my face as I bent down to place her on the seat. I was pleased Alfonso remembered my request to jack up the heat and turn on the leather heated seats.
Bianca opened her eyes briefly, but then closed them again.
I stroked her cheek. I hated her seeing this exhausted and worn out, knowing I was the cause.
I pulled on the seat belt strap and leaned over her to buckle it, then closed the car door as softly as I could.
I stared at Bianca through the car window. “If you could take her back to the villa, I’ll—”
Alfonso interrupted me. “None of that.” He popped the Fiat's trunk and handed me the keys. “I brought my tools. By the sound of it, I’ll at least get Cesare’s car running.”
“I can’t do that to you, Alfonso.”
He waved me off. “Take care of your woman. It’s a simple stall. It will only take me a few minutes and I’ll be right behind you. Vito’s working late at the winery if I can’t get it running. He’ll come get me.”
I rubbed my eyes. “I owe you one.”
He smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll collect.”
I patted him on the shoulder and circled around to the driver’s side. We both knew he wouldn’t.
Alfonso was good people.
He was like a second father to me and loyal to the family to a fault. Although none of us were under any illusion as to why he had stuck around all these years, refusing to leave despite the many offers he had received from our competitors.
It had nothing to do with my father’s charm or his affection for Cesare and me.
And everything to do with my Aunt Gabriella.
After the hell I'd been through with Bianca, the man had my sympathyandempathy.
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