Page 35 of Enzo's Vow
“Oh,Grazie Di Dio.” He lowered his voice to a bare whisper. “These men entered my room and asked me about you both.”
I squeezed the phone so hard my knuckles ached. The plastic squeaked under the pressure of my still damp hand. “What men?”
“I hoped you’d tell me. At first, I assumed they worked for you until they asked how I knew you and your new bride.” The faint, rhythmic beep of the heart monitor in the background amplified the silence on my end. “They had no idea I’m Gemma’s father.”
My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic rhythm defying the measured tick of the grandfather clock. “What’d you tell them?”
“I lied, telling them my florist shop organized your bridal flowers. You’re two nice clients who wished me well while passing my hospital room. I think they bought my story.”
I gripped the table’s edge, practically tasting the adrenaline. “Catch their names?”
“Yes, I heard them address one man as Nicolo.”
De Luca. I feared this might happen. Escorting her to her father led De Luca straight to the old man. Now Gino’s life hung in jeopardy. A little further digging, and they’d discover therelation between Gino and Gemma. I curled my first. Allowing her to see her father was a mistake. One glimpse at her tears and my resolve collapsed. “Gino, I’ll send my men to guard your room. I’ll be in touch soon.” I bit my inner cheek, unsure if I fostered more anger at myself, Gemma, or De Luca. “And don’t worry. Gemma will be safe.”
“Please protect her. She is my life. It’s my life in your hands, Enzo.”
The anguish trembling his voice burdened me to no end. “Not one hair on her head will be harmed, Gino.”
“Thank you, Enzo.”
I placed the phone back on the receiver. This changes everything. Nicolo De Luca’s curiosity about my new bride would mean more security was required. We’d have to be more careful from now on.
“What on earth have you done?”
I swung to face my mother, her jaw clenched so tight, the muscles twitched. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to know you’re helping Gino Galo.” Her voice strained, a thin, trembling wire stretched to its breaking point. She jabbed a finger in my direction, her body shaking with barely contained outrage. “Long enough to realize you’ve developed feelings for the woman you vowed to destroy!”
Chapter 15
Gemma
A steamy coffee sounded nice after my hot shower, since Enzo had abandoned perfectly good cups on the beach earlier. I tied my hair into a ponytail, smiling at the memory of him fluffing the towel through my strands. He introduced such gentle precision in drying my hair. Not that a man had ever towel-dried my hair before. Still, warmth lingered on my scalp long after he finished. I hadn’t hated it, though I probably should have.
Shouts echoed from the dining room. The villa resembled a pressure cooker ready to blow. Someone was always arguing, always screaming… myself included. I tiptoed to the entryway leading to the dinette. The sweet perfume of fresh white roses clung to the air, a calming scent mocking the current atmosphere.
Carina and Enzo’s voices echoed behind the door. So, they were the ones arguing. I leaned my ear to the thick wood.
“She’s banned from seeing her father!” Carina screeched, making me jerk. “What don’t you understand?”
Carina’s knickers were in a twist because Enzo let me see Papa? Good grief. The rasp in her voice sliced through the air and churned my stomach. I’d met bitter people, but this... this was something else entirely.
“Are you finished, Carina?” His tone was curt, bored.
Strange how he called his mother by her first name. I’d noticed both he and his brother refrained from calling herma or mamma.
“You had no right to disobey my request.”
What a lunatic. He warranted every right. The fact he opposed his mother’s wishes for my sake sent a rush through me. Still a psychopath, but at least he showed sympathy, unlike his mother.
“If I recall, your vendetta is with Elisabetta. I don’t see why we can’t spare Gino,” he threw back, his tone like honed steel.
I could practically see the strain on his face, the fury building behind those green eyes. I bit back a grin, clenching a fist to my mouth to keep from cheering.
“I run the show in this game, Enzo. Have you forgotten your vow?”
Vow? What vow?
