Page 37 of Enzo's Vow
This was the first time I wore something he’d purchased, instead of insisting on wearing the clothes from my own luggage. Not wanting to give myself away, I threw him a reasonable excuse. “I like this dress… it’s pretty.” The shape of his mouthdrew me. And what a mouth, firm, sculpted, yet soft-looking. An involuntary smile touched my lips. Oh no, now I stared a beat too long.Get a grip, this was meant to be a game, remember?
“Pretty doesn’t cover it, Gemma.” The words seemed pulled from him, raw and unguarded for just a moment. “You’re beautiful.” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he averted his gaze, gesturing toward the coffee table. “Breakfast.”
I touched my throat, my own pulse suddenly erratic beneath my trembling fingers. His ease in this game was frightening; I stood no chance. The faint, sweet scent of citrus hung in the air as I passed the balcony doors. Stealing a glimpse outside, the coast was a hazy silhouette, the sea shimmering against the strong sun, making me squint. I walked to the coffee table and patted the smooth leather of the sofa seat beside me.
Enzo furrowed, gauging me for longer than anticipated.
Why did I have the feeling he saw right through my plan? I swallowed and took the dish, perching it on my lap.Play it cool. “What time are we heading to the hospital?” These last few days with Papa had been a comfort, releasing some of the tension for both of us. “With any luck, those latest test results should be in.”
“Gemma.” He wiped a napkin over his mouth. “There’ll be no more hospital visits. Not today or any other day.”
The utensils in my hands stilled over my plate. My muscles coiled. Rage, shout, hit the man. Instead, I grew numb.Don’t react!My heart shattered, begging for an explanation I couldn’t demand. “Oh,” I kept my tone casual. “I see.” He meted out a penalty based on what occurred yesterday at the beach. So, he indeed believed I attempted an escape. Or perhaps he listened to his horrible mother’s orders. More reason to play nice to convince him I fancied him. “So then, what’s on the agenda today?” I broke the ice and propelled us into idle chit-chat. “Any important conference calls?”
“Today’s Sunday.” He sipped his espresso. “I’ll return to work tomorrow.”
Sunday? The days here blended one into the other. I no longer kept track. “Right.” I kept my smile for good measure, even though the blood sizzled beneath my skin. How dare he prevent me from visiting Papa!
He set aside his finished plate and continued drinking his coffee. “I hoped you’d join me, though. I want to take you out.”
I wanted to take him out too, to the yard and bury him alive… the jerk! “Oh, where?”
Those wary greens trained on me. He no doubt questioned my calm demeanor. Unbeknownst to him, I planned to see my parents a lot sooner, provided I go along with his devious scheme.
A soft grin graced his lips, and he appeared carefree compared to his usual hard facade. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep the location a surprise.”
I swallowed my juice. A romantic tactic? Wherever we jaunted off to today, I’ll pretend to be besotted.Don’t you worry, Enzo, I’ll eat out of the palm of your hand.
He handed me a velvet gift box. “Also, this is for you. I expect you to wear it at all times.” His tone left no room for argument.
I opened the rectangular box and was met with a gold necklace. The half-moon pendant held a single diamond in its center.
“It’s a GPS tracker,” he stated, matter-of -fact and unapologetic.
A tracking device? This wasn’t a gift… it was a shackle. Goodness, he really didn’t trust me, which told me one thing. I had my work cut out for me. Without protest, I took the necklace and fastened it around my neck.
He leaned back against the sofa, his gaze narrowed on the pendant. “Are you feeling all right, Gemma?”
I blinked, the skepticism in his voice snapping me back to the present. “Me? Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
Suspicion still danced in his green depths. “Honestly, I expected to be attacked. I told you we’re not seeing your father, then I gave you a GPS necklace, and you have nothing to say?”
I had no idea how to play this game. How could I fool the man if he caught onto the smallest detail? Tears pricked my eyes. Freedom felt so far away, my father did, too. Here I resided in Italy, in my father’s town, but they prevented me from visiting him. I peered up at the ceiling, not bothering to wipe at the falling tears. “Like you said, I have to understand my place… and accept it.”
His pained eyes trained on mine, and he visibly swallowed, his hand reaching for me.
I quailed away, standing up and pacing. “Can I have a minute? I’ll go with you wherever you want, but please, just give me a minute.” A minute to compose… and convince myself for the thousandth time that deceiving him was my only way out.
With a curt nod, he stood and left me alone.
God, give me strength. I had to do this, even though it felt so wrong. If I ever wanted to see my father or family again, I would have to go through with this.
An hour later, I unbuckled my seatbelt, hoping Enzo would finally unveil today’s agenda as we parked in front of... an animal center? His chill posture disclosed nothing. Once outside, he draped a hand on my back, and the heat made me ever aware of his presence.
He led me inside, and the staff greeted him by name. I gave the staff members a polite smile and leaned closer to Enzo. “How do they all know you so well?”
He shrugged and logged into an electronic pad at the desk. “I drop off a few strays whenever I’m in Messina.”
Enzo? The same man who put a gun to my father’s head saved animals and transported them to a shelter. “Why?”
