Page 48 of Tainted Princess
CHAPTER TWELVE
Francesca
My heart pounded as I ran, chest heaving while I pumped my arms and legs in time, the sound of my footfalls loud in the empty gym. Running had always been my therapy, and today was no different.
Because it was almost six in the morning, and Enzo never came back to the apartment last night.
Again, I didn’t want to be angry, but I sure as fuck was.
I hated the fact that my mind conjured up one scenario after another, each more rage inducing than the last.
At first, I was worried. This life we lived was never a safe one; I couldn’t even count the number of times men turned up at my father’s house, bleeding from stab wounds and gun shots. Most made it, but not all, and that was just the nature of the life.
But by the time the sun started to rise, my worry and concern had turned to resentment with a huge helping ofpissed the fuck off. I got that this thing we had between us was different. It was not a relationship in the usual sense of the word, and we were both learning how to deal, fumbling around blind while we figured each other out.
But, fuck, he could have at least called or sent a text, something to let me know that the stupid asshole wasn’t dead in a ditch, bleeding out all over the desert floor. I bet if he wound up in the hospital, they wouldn’t even think to call me. I probably wouldn’t even know he was dead until I read it in the paper.
No, there was nothing substantial tying my life to Enzo’s, and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about that.
So, here I was, pounding out all my unwanted feelings on a rotating rubber mat that, no matter how hard or how fast I ran, took me literally nowhere.
Reaching out, I cranked up the speed, pushing my body to the absolute limit, trying to outpace my thoughts to no avail. When I thought my legs couldn’t carry me one step farther, I jumped on to the side rails and slammed the stop button, panting, desperate for oxygen as I listened to my heartbeat thrashing in my ears.
Thinking about Enzo and his inconsiderate actions was not on the agenda today. I had a breakfast date with Lexi and then I had let her persuade me to go shopping, which was honestly a terrifying prospect for me. I didn’t even want to think about what that girl would come up with when it came to clothes for me.
Getting back to the apartment and showering quickly, I dressed, twisted my hair up in its usual chignon, and headed to the elevator. I had been pretty glad to learn there were several parking spaces assigned to our condo unit. Arnold, my favorite concierge attendant, gave me the stall numbers, and when I got home from meeting Vincent’s mother yesterday, I slid my new baby into her space for the night.
Speaking of Vincent, he had just messaged me that he was in the garage, waiting to head out for the day. I smiled at the thought of my first official employee, so eager and willing to please. Growing up, I had always had someone with me wherever I went, one of my fathersSoldatiassigned to watch over me as I moved around the city from school to shops to my grandfather’s house for Sunday dinners, both Antonio and I had been trailed almost everywhere as we went about our lives.
Thinking of my brother brought a familiar pang of sorrow to my chest. I pictured him as he was when I saw him last, a twelve-year-old boy, not yet grown into his long limbs and big feet. I think now that, had he lived, he would have been tall, like Enzo, maybe not as brawny, but still a large man. He would have kept his kind heart, no matter how much it would have hindered him with the family we had. Maybe he would have taken a wife by now, made me an aunt.
He had been such a beautiful soul, and I was still staggered by how much I missed him.
The ding of the elevator brought me back to the present, and I hitched my purse higher on my shoulder as I strode into the parking garage. I expected to find Vincent standing by my Range Rover.
I didn’t expect him to be holding his own against a glowering Enzo.
Marching over with determined steps, I looked at Vincent to ensure that he was alright, before turning to Enzo.
“What’s going on?” I said bluntly.
“What’s going on is that this asshole is parked in my space,” Enzo snapped, glaring at Vincent as he stood before the vehicle. Looking closer now, I could see that Enzo’s McLaren was parked haphazardly in the middle of the lane, the door flung open like he leapt out in a hurry.
“I mean, technically, it is our space, Enzo,” I said casually.
He snapped his gaze to me, confusion etched on his gorgeous face. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
I reached into my purse, finding the key fob and pressing the unlock button, loving the shock on his face when the lights of the Range Rover flashed. Moving to the passenger side, I followed Vincent as he opened the door.
“Morning, ma’am.”
“Good morning, Vincent.”
I was halfway into the seat when I heard Enzo bark out, “What the actual fuck, Francesca?”
Rolling my eyes with a sigh, I backed out of the vehicle and made my way back to Enzo. “Is there a problem?”
“You’re goddamn right there is. Who the hell is this guy?”
