Enzo focused on the wall in front of him and did the one thing he didn’t want to. He thought about Bella and how his death would wreck her. She’d been through hell already, but his Bella was strong, and she’d eventually pick herself up by her bootstraps and soldier on. The FBI would help, providing her with the ability to wipe her slate clean and start fresh in a new place with a new name. Enzo just hoped for their sake, the FBI didn’t place Bella in some hick town where it was cold and lacking a Starbucks or a good bagel place. She’d flip.
He prayed Bella would be smart and make the best of the new life, find a decent job. If there was a God, hopefully she’d find a good man to take care of her and provide her with a home and those two dogs she always talked about getting. Maybe Duncan would be the man of her future, offering her everything Enzo never could. Of course, he’d be remiss if he didn’t feel a pang of regret at never getting to see it himself. Duncan could have been the love of his life. Bella would always have his heart too. Though he felt some jealousy, he could accept whatever came his way as long as his Bella and Duncan had each other.
He wasn’t sure how much time passed as he sat there in silence, tied to the chair and waiting with two dead guys at his feet. If he’d been thinking clearer, he should’ve asked Bexley to at least leave the knife behind. Although, she’d need it for protection. At the very least he should’ve had her cut him loose. Enzo hadn’t really been rational though. He was more concerned about getting her free.
Blood dripped from his nose, causing the blob of red on his sweatshirt to grow and stick to his chest. It was a shame; this had been one of his favorites. Bella had gotten it for him before they left for Mexico. He hadn’t had much use for it there, but he’d worn the hell out of it when they came up to Virginia.
Darkness descended around him. Enzo wondered when Raul would return. The beatdown he received earlier was nothing. The minute Raul grabbed a hold of him again, it would be all over. The only sick pleasure he got out of the situation was the fact Bex killed two of Raul’s men. He laughed to himself when he imagined the expression on Raul’s face when entered the room.
The door flew open, and the devil himself walked inside. Enzo wanted to goad Raul because of the shock filling his features. Two of his men were on the floor, dead, and his daughter who had one leg and a cast around her arm did the damage then escaped. That shit had to hurt the man’s pride.
“Did you do this?” Raul snarled. His gaze filled with rage.
“Come on, Raul. How the hell could I do something like this? I’m fuckin’ tied to a chair.” Enzo wasn’t dumb, but he sure as hell could play it when warranted. “Figured it was you who took them out.”
Raul cursed. “Where is she?”
Enzo blinked, acting confused and asked, “Who?”
“The girl.”
Enzo shrugged. “Beats me.” Enzo dipped his chin to the men on the floor. “When I came to, they were already there like that.”
Raul smiled, and it sent shivers down his spines. “She left you.”
“Who left me? Bella? Yeah, they split us up. I told you this.”
Raul backhanded him across the face, and Enzo hissed.
“Not Bella, you fool. The girl who was in here with you.”
If he wasn’t tied down to this chair, he’d have gone at Raul, giving the man the beat down he deserved. Instead he sat there and shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Raul rubbed his hands together, anticipation twisting his features. “It shouldn’t be so hard to find a one-legged girl with an arm cast again. I won’t be so lenient with her next time.”
Raul called out for his men, ordering them to come and remove the two dead guys. Blood pooled beneath them and left a trail as they were dragged from the room by their ankles.
“I’m familiar with many forms of torture, this you know, Enzo. But I’m also a fair man.”
Enzo snorted.
Raul’s features twisted into a mask of pure loathing. “Therefore, I’m going to allow you some time to contemplate your future and how you’d like to die. You need to ask yourself, is Bella worth all the pain I’ll put you through, or do you want to just give up her location and die quickly?”
Enzo spat at the man’s expensive shoes. “Fuck you.”
Raul laughed. “I’m afraid, unlike you, I don’t find pleasure in another man’s cock.” They’d always been so careful in Mexico and at home. “Yes, Enzo, I’ve been briefed on both your andBella’spreferences.” A cruel smirk tugged at his mouth. “And they call me a sick fuck. At least I don’t allow another man to sodomize me.”
Enzo chuckled. “Maybe you should give it a try. You never know, maybe it would pull that stick out of your ass.”
Raul snarled, backhanding Enzo across the face. “It’s against God’s will.”
“Yet murdering and selling people is okay?” Enzo didn’t care if he was poking a bear. “God’s will doesn’t seem to stop you from doingthatand much more, now does it.”
Raul stormed from the room without a second look.
“Hey, jefe, I could use some water or cola and some pain medication if you’re going to make me wait it out.” It didn’t surprise him one damn bit when no one brought him shit. The best thing for him to do was rest. So, he closed his eyes. Raul wasn’t done with him, not by a long shot. His only hope was in the hands of the kid who escaped. Bex had to find Duncan.
As much as he’d been willing to die, Enzo wasn’t ready. He still had so much he wanted to do and say. He loved his Bella baby, and he loved Duncan too. They’d never know his truth if he died in that room. He had to hang on for them. His face throbbed to the beat of his heart, like a jackhammer chipping away at his skull. A heaviness settled over him, and he closed his eyes, praying it wouldn’t be for the last time.