Page 9 of Twisted Embrace

At a goddamn baby shower.

Who would do this? Who would dare ruin the sanctity of a special celebration? And why was Enzo talking in different languages? I pressed my hand against Lucia’s face, petrified that she’d lost the baby. It would kill her. I’d never been prone to violence myself, although I had a registered gun in my apartment, mace in my purse. I’d also taken defense classes for no other reason than the city I lived and loved.

Suddenly, the Big Apple was somewhere I no longer wanted to be.

“It’s going to be okay, girlie. I promise you.”

She opened her eyes and the sadness and horror in them drove a stake through my heart. “Dar. Is he…”

“Sshhh… Don’t talk. Save your strength. He’s coming. Enzo talked with him.” I threw him another hateful look, hissing under my breath. I didn’t care who he was or what he was capable of. He would face my wrath as soon as I knew she was safe. Oh, please. The baby had to be okay. I wasn’t religious, but I said a silent prayer to whatever God was up in the heavens. My friend didn’t deserve this.

As the driver pulled into the emergency bay of Mount Sinai, the ache in my heart intensified. All I could think about was how anyone could tolerate living where at any moment life could be terminated. Enzo was out of the passenger side before the SUV was even pulled to a complete stop, racing inside.

“We’re here, honey. The doctors are going to save you,” I half whispered as I stroked hair from her face. Her skin was clammy, her face ashen, and her breathing so shallow I was terrified that no one could save her.

Within what seemed like seconds, a gurney with two attendants was rushed to the curb, the flurry of activity causing another series of shivers to strain my heart. Lucia was lifted from the passenger seat, strapped down and immediately rushed inside.

I sat where I was, taking gulping breaths as I stared down at my hands. Enzo threw me a look then his head appeared just inside the SUV.

“We need to have the doctors take a look at you.”

His gruff voice had taken a softer turn, almost as if he was concerned and it confused me.

“I’m fine.”

“No, Joy, you’re not. Let me help you.” When he said my name for the first time, I shuddered all the way to my toes. Still furious and terrified, I refused to budge. Hissing, he crawled inside, wrapping his arm around me. The shock of how much electricity tore through me stole my breath, a slight whimper escaping my mouth. The connection was ungodly in my mind, the brutal man nothing I should ever be attracted to.

Yet I was.

It disgusted me that my mind was processing anything other than the horrific situation. But as he eased me into his arms, I found myself leaning against his massive body. He remained quiet as he walked us inside, the hustle and bustle of the hospital more disconcerting than I’d ever felt before. I was in a fog, barely able to comprehend what had occurred. Maybe the sick rush of adrenaline was already wearing off.

“Hey. I need another doctor. Now!” His brash attitude and barking command were something I’d ignore if I were a doctor or nurse, but within seconds, I was taken from his arms, led to a huge room with at least six partitions of fabric between small bay areas. As soon as I was placed on a gurney, I tried to bolt.

“No. I need to know about my friend.”

“Ma’am. There’s nothing you can do to help her. We need to check you out. Are you hurt?”

The nurse’s words barely registered. I stared at the floor, a wave of hatred rolling through me. “I’m fine. Just winded. Let me go.” I reacted suddenly, pushing her back by several feet then bolting toward the door into the hallway. I found Enzo talking with some of his men. When I lunged forward, driving my hands against his chest, the look of surprise on his face quickly turned to one of anger.

As if I gave a damn.

“You! You horrible man. You did this. You are responsible.” Without hesitation, I slapped him with enough force his head was jutted to the side. His men were quick to react, flanking my side. “I saw it. I knew it was going to happen.”

But Enzo waved them off before wrapping his hands around my wrists. “Breathe, Joy. Just breathe. What do you mean you saw it?”

“You breathe, you fucking son of a bitch!” I didn’t care my voice was loud enough that others in the waiting room were gawking at us. “And what do you care?”

The hard lines etched in his face softened, his long, dark eyelashes skimming across his cheeks. “I will find out whoever did this. You’ll need to trust me.” The hardness returned, the deep velvet of his voice no longer comforting.

I glared at him as if he was an alien who’d just dropped onto Earth. “Trust you? Are you fucking out of your mind?”

“Watch your mouth, woman,” one of his men growled. The guy looked as if he wanted to crush a man to death. Maybe I’d beat him to it.

“It’s okay, Anthony. She has every right to be upset.” Enzo glanced toward him then pinned his eyes on mine. “But you need to calm down. I can’t protect you if you’re off the rails.”

Something or everything about his statement pushed a laugh to the surface. “Protect me? From what? Little green men or boogeymen hiding under the bed?” I jerked away, folding my arms as I shook my head. “Fuck you. I don’t need your protection.” As I continued trying to distance myself from him, I almost stumbled from knocking into another nurse.

“She’s a wildcat,” the same brusque guy said. “Not sure you can handle her, boss.”

---