Page 10 of Twisted Embrace

Enzo threw him a look. Aww, the poor guy just had his balls questioned.

I turned away, hating the fact tears were streaming down my face. Allowing a bully to see how upset I was infuriated me as much as the situation. I took long strides toward the small waiting room, standing in front of the window and trying to control my emotions. I’d tried to talk Lucia out of the shower after everything she’d told me about her new life.

And what about the people inside the restaurant? Marla, the servers? The guests? I rubbed my eyes, almost instantly cognizant of the stench of blood remaining on my hands. Between the sickening sweet copper odor and the antiseptic floating in my nostrils, my stomach did several flips.

An ambulance roared into the drive through, and I cringed even more inside. What if I hadn’t goaded Lucia into talking to the dark, mysterious stranger at the bar all those months ago? If only my crazy mind had been working then, able to warn her to stay away from the man. Would anything be different? I should be happy she was so in love with D’Artagnan, but all I could think about at this point was death.

I noticed a reflective blur in the window and bristled. As Enzo’s face appeared, illuminated by the bright afternoon sun managing to stream in through the thick glass, I was ready to launch into him again. He said nothing at first. I was certain he wasn’t used to anyone challenging his great and oh-so powerful authority.

Fuck him.

The seconds turned into a full minute and my skin crawled, but not for the right reasons. I remained attracted to him. It was obvious my senses were in serious and very strained overload.

“You should allow someone to make certain you weren’t injured.” His words were now devoid of emotion, as if he was a shell of a man.

I spun around quickly, although there was no look of surprise on his face. “What does it matter? If I’d been killed, my lifeless body would just be added to the others who died in that restaurant because of the life you live. So who cares?”

He allowed his heated gaze to drift down my face to my chest, the way he clenched his strong jaw highlighting every carved bone. As he continued studying me like a prized animal in a cage, another wave of repulsion attempted to replace the attraction.

It failed.

“No one else died in the attack,” he said coldly.

“Oh. I see.” I could see nothing and couldn’t understand anything either.

“The attack was meant for Lucia alone.”

I nodded so many times I felt like I was a bobblehead doll. “Let me see if I understand mafia politics. She was attacked to get at her husband, the real target. Right?”

Only the stark iciness of his deep blue eyes provided an answer. “So, while the king stays locked away and protected in an empire made of steel, his wife, my best friend was laid out for anyone opposing your power. Do I have that correctly?” The bitterness and hatred in my voice surprised me.

Instead of answering right away, he closed the distance, crowding my space to the point I gathered not only a whiff of his exotic aftershave but whatever mint he’d slid into his mouth before. I was overwhelmed by the fragrance of something spicy mixed with a hint of citrus and a stark, woodsy scent like sandalwood. Jesus Christ. I was dissecting his aftershave while my friend lay bleeding and maybe dying.

“While I understand your anger and your concern, this hospital like any other location has ears, some you wouldn’t want to overhear your disclaimer of the DeLuca Empire.”

Was this asshole kidding me? I was taken aback for a few seconds, blinking several times. He sensed my reaction, grabbing my wrists as he’d done before, pulling me tightly against his body.

“Enough, Joy. Enough.” When Enzo lowered his head, I was swept in another wave of burning desire, certain he was going to kiss me. I even tilted my head to accept the crude gesture.

“She’s my friend.” Which he already knew. I was never befuddled around anyone, yet with him, my tongue remained tied. Maybe my reaction was all about the terrible events.

“And I’m her brother.”

“Then act more like you care about her. You show no emotion other than anger. Why? Don’t you have feelings for anyone?”

For the slightest fraction of a second, I noticed an entirely different emotion in his piercing eyes. Maybe there was something other than a monster within him.

“I can’t afford to.”

Why he allowed another few seconds of witnessing his black soul I wasn’t certain, but it definitely didn’t endear me to him. “How very sad, Enzo.”

Now the asshole smirked as if I’d just made a joke. “I’m going to have Anthony take you home since you won’t accept medical care.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“You have no choice.”

My nerves were frazzled, my hatred for the man growing with every passing second. I yanked my wrists free, slamming my palms against his chest to try to gain some distance. He didn’t budge, his body rock hard.

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