Page 88 of Tainted Princess
Rocco stopped, mouth open and staring at the closing apartment door. “What is it with you broads and turning me down?”
“Sorry, Rocco. I think you’re out of luck with that one,” I teased, but when he looked at me, I could see determination shining in his blue eyes.
“Nah,” he drawled, stuffing his phone in his pocket. “Luck has nothing to do with it.” He started moving to the door, hot on Mia’s heels, and I knew she was gonna hate every minute of what came next—but the rest of us would enjoy the show. “Feel better, Francesca,” he hollered as he left.
“You better get me those leads I asked for, you horny bastard,” Enzo called after him, earning him a waved middle finger before the apartment door slammed behind Rocco.
“What leads?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
“He’s supposed to be spending tonight hunting down The Chemist and whoever this Frankie the Wolf is, not chasing unattainable pussy all over the fuckin’ desert.”
I bit my cheeks to keep from grinning, but on the inside, I was practically glowing.
Frankie the Wolf was already making waves in the scene. How many of my cards had Sway given out?
Shit, I had to remember to pay him; his intel on the newly arrived delivery of weed had been solid. I wanted to make sure I kept the information flowing.
Following Rocco’s abrupt departure, Lexi—still in the sweater set—made her way over, her face crumpled with despair.
“I am so, so sorry, Francesca,” she said, her voice soft and unsure.
“What are you sorry for, Lex? You didn’t brain me with a bottle of Dom.”
Cutting her gaze to Enzo, who still sat by my side on the bed, she said quietly, “If it hadn’t been for my idea to go toWrath, none of this would have happened.”
“You’re goddamn right,” Enzo growled, and I jabbed him in the ribs with my elbow.“Shit.”
Ignoring his groan, I stood, placing my hands on Lexi’s shoulders. “Hey, no way are you going to take the blame for any of this. First of all,” I cut in when she made to argue, “you weren’t even here this morning for the whole attempted vehicular manslaughter thing.” I could hear the growl that came from behind me, but I kept going. “Second, you are not responsible for the behavior of a jealous bitch who resorted to physical violence because she couldn’t get what she wanted.”
And why couldn’t she get it? Because I had it.
At least, I think I did.
Tucking those thoughts away, I pulled Lexi in for a hug. “Now, you let Vinnie take you home and get some sleep. Call me tomorrow and we’ll make plans. I still have a lot of Las Vegas left to see.”
When I pulled back to look at her, there was a small smile on her face, so that was progress.
“Okay, babe,” she said, her chin still wobbling a bit. “Love you.”
“Love you, too, Lex.”
Vinnie held the door for her, giving me one last look and a chin lift before closing the door behind him.
Leaving me alone with my husband and a ton of questions.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
I could feel my heart fluttering in my chest, which was nothing compared to the wayotherparts of me were fluttering.
This was all new territory for me. I knew what I wanted, but I was unsure how to go about asking for it. Enzo was my husband, and even as new as our relationship was, a rejection at this point would be a disaster.
But on the other hand, I was tired of pretending that I didn’t want the things I wanted. I was tired of waiting to be told what I deserved instead of just taking it for myself.
No longer the lamb, I was ready to live as the wolf I was born to be.
And that started right now.
Turning back to the bed, I stared at Enzo, noticing once again just how devastatingly handsome he truly was. His dark hair hung messily across his forehead, likely from running his hands through it in frustration. His stone-gray eyes were dark, hidden in the shadow of his brow, and the cut of his jaw was just visible behind his thickening stubble.
