Page 30 of Bite Marks

It was obvious why Vanessa was upset. But she didn’t think he understood. But Nunzio understood her feelings more intimately than she realized. How could he not? Being part of the family, the life, wasn’t easy. It was dangerous. And everyone around him was as ruthless as they came.

When Nunzio first thought of Vanessa, he had done his research. She couldn’t be so flint-like without reason. Her ruthless personality came from somewhere.

It all fell into place when he discovered the family members she had lost. The heartbreak she had endured made Nunzio feel sick. Her fear was obvious. She did not want to become like the other women in her family.

Abandoned by their husbands to the life. Left broken while their husbands departed from the mortal world.

So it was no wonder that Vanessa didn’t want their pretend relationship to be real. She didn’t want to fall for him even more and then lose him. Nunzio knew it was a very rational fear to have.

He could not fault her for that.

But what Vanessa did not know was that he was a wolf shifter. Her uncles and cousins hadn’t exactly had the luxury of power. Not the kind of power that Nunzio had.

They did not have the extra strength and speed. They did not have the healing abilities that Nunzio had. It was an entirely different situation. But he could not exactly explain that to Vanessa.

Not without exposing himself and his secret.

Vanessa had left him a short time ago, and Nunzio couldn’t go back to sleep. He missed her so badly that he ached for her. They had done everything together for the entirety of their fake relationship. Earlier, he had realized that he was starting to smell like her.

Now, as he pushed the covers off, the room smelled like her. The delicate fragrance of her perfume lingered in his bedroom. A bottle of the hand cream she used, peaches and jasmine, was still on her bedside table.

On her side of the bed …

His breath hitched in his throat as he looked around the bedroom. She had infiltrated his life, silently almost. So when he said he wanted their relationship to be real, Nunzio had meant it. Because, subconsciously, he knew she was there to stay. There was no way in hell he’d be able to fall asleep.

He had to see her now, or he’d explode. He got out of bed and went purposefully to the wardrobe.

The night was hot, and he toweled himself off and then dressed. He pulled on slacks and a shirt and slipped into boots. Then he ran a hand through his hair, grabbed his phone and keys, and left.

His Ferrari was parked in the covered, secure lot beneath his apartment block. The sleek car shone as he walked up to it.

Nunzio slid into it easily as he considered what to do next. He would find Vanessa and apologize to her. He would comfort her and let her know how he felt. He would tell her that he understood.

And he just hoped that was enough.

His phone buzzed as he pulled out of the lot. When the screen of his car lit up, he saw that it was Ginger.

“Boss.” Ginger’s thick accent rolled around the word.

“Gingy.” Nunzio knew his second hated that nickname. “Why are you calling me at an ungodly hour?” It was late, and Ginger kept an early schedule.

Ginger huffed before he spoke, his annoyance obvious. But he would never show disrespect to Nunzio. It wasn’t a good idea for anyone to do that. Not to a captain in the family. Not to someone approved by the Don. Besides, Ginger loved Nunzio. And he knew his captain was simply joking.

“We got news. Thatidiota,Lenny is planning an escape.”

“Thought he was doing a dime in Ossining?” Nunzio changed gears and hit the gas. The Ferrari barely flinched at the change in speed. Instead, the engine kept purring smoothly along.

“It’s been almost ten years, boss,” Ginger replied, his voice droll. “He doesn’t seem to want to work on early release for good behavior. He plans on blowing the joint in his own way.”

Nunzio snorted as he swung the steering wheel and turned a corner. The city lights blinked and shimmered all around him.

“Thatstronzo?Lenny wouldn’t be let out for his own mother’s funeral. They have him guarded up like the Vatican,” Nunzio replied.

Ginger kept talking, but Nunzio wasn’t really listening. He would probably find Vanessa at home. He only hoped she’d be in the mood to see him. He sighed heavily as Ginger’s voice faded into the background. His second really could go on and on.

“Anyway, boss.” Ginger had finally finished his speech. Nunzio exhaled with relief. “I’ll keep trying to get the low down on Lenny’s plans.Saluti.”

“Saluti,”Nunzio murmured the greeting in automatic response. He was in front of Vanessa’s building.

---