Page 90 of Enforcer's Obsession

That was something I couldn’t accept.

But it was also something I couldn’t confess.

“Tell Don Carlo we got something for his retirement fund,” I said to Enzo when we made it back to the safe house.

He nodded but didn’t linger as the doctor patched up my wound.

It’s a little more than a scrape,” the old man said. “A couple of stitches, a little ointment, and you’ll be good as new.”

I nodded, but didn’t speak, my mind swirling.

Finally, he was finished, I cleaned up as I usually would. But instead of the exhilaration of a job well done, if not perfectly, I was still preoccupied with her.

So much so that the drive back to my place passed with almost no memory.

I sent Sebastian away, and then, finally, went to her.

She looked at me, then looked at my arm.

“What happened?”

“Nothing important. But, Hope, I need to tell you something.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

Nico

“I don’t wantto hear it, Nico,” she said before I could say a word.

“Maybe not but you need too,” I said.

Then I pulled off my shirt, turned my back to her, and looked at her over my shoulder.

I stared at her, her eyes dance with what looked to be unshed tears.

I hated that.

Hated to see her in any kind of distress, especially if it was my fault, but I had to be strong for both of us.

“Look,” I growled when she turned her eyes away.

She looked up, stared at my scars, giving no reaction.

After a moment, I turned to face her and do the thing I’d hate more than any other.

“Whatever you think this is between us… Whatever you want it to be…”

“WhateverIwant to be?” she said.

It was no surprise that Hope had hit the target.

This was about me as much as it was her.

About the feelings that I couldn’t afford, the feelings I would make her pay for.

“Whatever,” I said, deciding to keep pushing ahead.

“I told you about my family,” I said.

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