Page 66 of Deadly Vows

I shake my head, wrapping my arms around myself as I take a small step forward. Enzo still refuses to look at me. I told myself I would protect my brother, and Luca bringing him here cannot be good. I know that I can’t keep telling myself I will protect him. Eventually, I have to act.

“I’ll take him. I can put him in a room until Luca gets back,” I say.

Nicolai doesn’t move to follow my order after I speak, garnering my irritation. These men pretend to respect me, but when it comes down to it, they do not see me as an equal to their Capo, even though I have sacrificed just as much, if not more.

“That’s okay. We can wait for Luca,” he says, confirming my theory.

I take a step closer to Nicolai. “I said I will take him. This is my home, and I will tell Luca when he returns that Enzo is in the guest room,” I say.

Nicolai takes a step back, weighing the consequences in his head. And I am partially grateful that it is Nicolai standing here with me, and not Romelo. I know it would be more difficult in the presence of that man.

But Nicolai finally relents. “Yes, Mrs. Pasquino. I apologize for forgetting my place.”

I ignore him, keeping my brave facade as I hold my hands out to Enzo.

“Come on,” I say gently.

His eyes remain down as he steps from behind Nicolai and into my arms. It’s the first time I’ve embraced him. He’s warm and slightly taller than me, so he has to bend to fit in my arms. His hair is much too long as it tickles my nose, and his heartbeat is slow. And suddenly, he trembles in my arms.

His sobs come softly as he tries to quiet them.

But it doesn’t take long for his sorrow to overtake his control. And as his arms wrap around me, and his sobs turn to wails, I feel my chest squeeze in pain for him. I know the feeling all too well.

“There’s a bathroom through here. Feel free to shower and make yourself at home,” I say as I hand him some of Luca’s clothes. “These may be a little big on you, but we can make them work until we figure out what he has planned for you.”

I internally cringe at the double meaning of what I said. But as I look at Enzo, I notice he’s barely listening to me as he sits on the edge of the bed. I release a deep breath, moving to sit next to Enzo on the bed. I’m hesitant to speak, as the last time I tried to help someone through their grief, I was shut down instantly with harsh words.

I gently rub Enzo’s back as I find the courage to speak.

“I lost my father in a terrible incident also. And although we didn’t have the greatest relationship, I still felt grief for his death. Things will get easier soon. But you don’t have to be okay before they do,” I say.

Enzo looks at me with more tears in his eyes.

“This is my fault… I dragged her into this…I didn’t listen—” he chokes on his breathing, dropping his head in his hands, but I stop him.

“Enzo. Listen to me. This is not your fault. None of this will ever be your fault. Everything that is happening was put in place by people who are no longer here to see their failed grabs for power,” I say.

Enzo lifts his head, studying me with wide eyes. I know I’m crossing a line. But Luca crossed that line long ago.

I slowly stand, giving him the best smile that I can.

“Try to get some rest,” I say.

I’m almost to the door when Enzo calls to me.

“Elise…thank you. Both of you for taking me in…you’re all I have now,” he says.

I blink back my tears as I turn to face him. “Of course.”

I keep the fake smile plastered on my face as long as I can as I leave the room. I am his strength now. But even as I close the door, I keep my smile. As I make my way up the hallway, my smile remains. And as I step into the bedroom I share with the man responsible for Enzo’s turmoil, I wait until I close the door behind me to sink to the floor, dropping my head in my hands.

My nausea increases as I replay Enzo’s words over and over in my head. We are all he has—I am all he has. And Luca is the reason for that.

The steam from the bathroom is soothing as I step out of the shower. It’s almost as if the warm spray can wash away the disgust I feel with myself and with my husband. As I look at myself in the mirror, my wet hair clinging to my shoulders, I think of my brother up the hallway, sharing some of these features.

As I open the door that leads to the bedroom, my heart jumps when I come face to face with Luca. He’s sitting on the edge of the bed, his expression blank. For the first time, he looksdisheveled as he watches me. And I note his pupils are heavily dilated as they roam over me in my most vulnerable form.

I pretend to be indifferent to his presence, moving to the closet. His eyes continue to follow me, and the second my back is to him, I feel his grip around my arm, pulling me flush against him. His hand drifts over the front of my towel, slowly pulling it from my grip, leaving me naked against him.

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