Page 53 of The Roman's Woman (A Singular Obsession)

In light of what happened, Enzo had offered to resign, but Gio wouldn’t accept it. He couldn’t. What had happened was his fault. He’d avoided dealing with his ex-wife, preferring to keep the peace than doing what he should have done in the first place. He’d been too nice. For all his life, he’d been conscientious and proper, a dutiful son and nephew.

He’d even been a good husband. But despite all the effort he’d made, the gifts he’d showered on her, it had never been enough for Maria Gianna. The jewelry had always been wrong, the diamonds too small or the settings too old-fashioned. She wanted to go to parties and travel to the latest hotspots at the drop of a hat—things he couldn’t do with his job.

For a long time afterward, he believed the divorce was his fault. He was too boring and dull for someone as bright and exciting as Maria Gianna. She had said as much herself—taunting him about his prowess in bed when he’d caught her fucking Vincenzo.

His was a world of numbers and keeping up with tax codes. Sex was scheduled. It happened at night three times a week—four if it was a special occasion like a birthday or an anniversary. When his ex-wife cheated on him, he blamed his own rigid rules and quiet lifestyle. Now he knew the truth.

Maria Gianna was spoiled and vindictive. She’d targeted his friends for her affairs to try and hurt him as much as possible. But he hadn’t been hurt. Embarrassed, yes—even repulsed. His ex had been infuriated that he didn’t care more. But now she had found a way to hurt him that was far more effective.

He’d been dragging his feet about the libel suit because he didn’t want to make waves. Now she and Vincenzo thought of him as a pushover, someone who’d take their crap without complaint because he didn’t want to upset anyone. Well,fuck that.

Last night had been a step too far. Sophia had been targeted. He was going to find that bitch and her lapdog, and he was going to make them pay.

Unfortunately, Maria Gianna and Vincenzo had skipped town. Enzo had three of his men trying to track them down, so whatever he was going to do would have to wait. In the meantime, he was going to take Sophia home.

****

Sophia held onto her patience with effort. “I’m fine, Gio.”

She had been saying those words a lot recently.

“Humor me, please.”

She rolled her eyes at Elynn. Alex’s wife was waiting in her extra office chair as Sophia talked on the phone with her overprotective Italian lover.

“Enzo doesn’t mind driving you,” Gio continued, trying and failing to hide the possessive concern in his voice. “He can be there in five minutes.”

“Tell him I have my car,” Elynn stage-whispered.

Since Sophia had already mentioned that she hadhercar, she didn’t think Gio was about to be reasonable. He wasn't about to give up the idea of an armed escort to her girls’ night out with Elynn and her friends. He certainly hadn’t when she pointed out the pub they were meeting at was only a few blocks away.

Since their labs were fairly close together, she and Elynn had met up on their lunch hour several times since first meeting. Tonight they were also seeing Maia again. The little redhead and her husband Calen had been traveling in Spain, checking on some of his clubs on the Costa del Sol. She would also be meeting Eva Stone for the first time. Sergei’s partner had been on an extended business trip for his company—part of which he’d joined her on with their new son. But they were back in town, stopping for a week before heading to their home in Manhattan.

Sophia had been looking forward to this evening all week. Ever since they returned from Rome, Gio had gone into overdrive. He checked on her ten times a day, and she was pretty sure he’d assigned her a security detail without asking. It would have been sweet if it wasn’t so insane. She knew he was still beating himself up for what happened, but being monitored twenty-four-seven was going to drive her batshit crazy.

“Gio, I’m hanging up now. I’ll see you at home later,” she said firmly.

Pulling the phone away from her face, she took a deep breath and pushed the end button on her screen with a little wince.

“Be strong,” Elynn said, amused.

Slumping in her chair, Sophia wrinkled her nose at her new friend. “Gio has lost his mind since Italy. Did I tell you Enzo followed me into the ladies room at the restaurant last night? It’s too much.”

Elynn giggled before growing serious. “He’s worried. Trust me, it’s better to let them have their way when it comes to security concerns. I speak from experience. I’m pretty sure my husbandstillhas me followed around and my stalker is never seeing the light of day again. Not if Alex has any say about it.”

Sophia shot her a commiserating look as she put on her coat. Elynn had told her all about her experience with Stephen Wainwright, as well as the terrifying situations both Maia and Eva had faced in the past. Compared to those experiences, the thing in Italy seemed like small potatoes.

Except it still bothered her…which was why she needed to go out tonight. All she wanted was to have four or five margaritas with some ladies so she could bitch a little. Kelly had done her best to console her over the phone, but she was out of town at her in-laws' again, so Sophia was leaning on Elynn and Co. tonight.

“Bodyguards are unnecessary in this case,” she said as they left the building to walk the short distance to the pub. “It’s not like I’m in danger now. Gio’s drunken cousin is drying out in some sort of high-security rehab center, and even if he wasn’t, I doubt he’d come within ten feet of me.”

Once Lucca had sobered up, he’d been horrified by what he’d done. At least that’s what his mother had told her. Both she and Gio’s father had flown out to beg them not to press charges against the boy. Sophia hadn’t even known that Gio had been determined to prosecute him until they arrived.

The rehab issue had been a source of contention. Gio didn’t think it was a severe enough punishment. Part of her agreed, but she was conflicted about the whole mess.

“It is a good idea to set limits now,” Elynn said, distracting from her troubled thoughts as they reached the restaurant. “Our men are a little too powerful—too used to having their way. But in this case, there’s a bit more to it than you may be aware of. I’ll tell you after we order. You’re going to need alcohol for this.”

She waved her inside where they found Maia waiting for them with a pitcher of mojitos. Sophia gratefully accepted a glass and sat down.

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