Page 36 of Enzo's Vow
“Make her fall in love with you, so we can send the forlorn brat back to her mother.”
In love?
“Once she’s a broken shell of her former self, I’ll send her back to you.”
They weren’t trying to drive me insane... they wanted me gutwrenchingly heartbroken. A beat of silence followed, the air thick with unspoken tension.
Then Enzo’s voice, stripped of all emotion, cut through it. “I’m on it.”
The words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs. I stumbled back, hitting the wall.
Not the slightest hesitancy.
But a sure, firm promise.
Driving me to the hospital, suggesting a walk on the beach, even trying to get me comfortable around his guard dogs... all a calculated performance. A way to soften me.
I backed away from the dinette and snuck upstairs into my room. Curse him, because a stupid, vulnerable part of me had fallen for his feigned kindness. I sat on the edge of the bed, my fists flexed by my sides.
Every time he caressed my hair, as if powerless to help himself, every lingering look into my eyes as though lost in them… a game, alie. I collapsed onto the bed, a knot forming in my stomach. So what he faked his affections? He meant nothing to me! I sat up again. If this paved my one chance at escape, I’d do anything to see it through.
A lump formed in my throat.What am I thinking? I’m not that type of person.The idea of faking those emotions, of misleading him, felt…wrong. I closed my eyes, pushing aside the creeping doubts. Freedom came at a price, didn’t it? “So be it, then.” I’d pretend to fall in love with the monster. If I played my cards right, they’d send me packing and out of here a lot faster. “Game on, Enzo.”
A knock sounded at my door. I straightened and blew out a breath. “Come in.”
Enzo emerged, his jaw rigid. Did he feel the need to work harder at his goal? He needn’t worry; I’d make this awhole loteasier.
He stalled in front of me, rocking back on his heels while burying his hands deep into his pockets. “Our lunch is ready downstairs.”
I bit back the autopilot refusal. How could I ever convince him I was falling for him if I kept bickering over trivial matters? No time like the present to play along. “Okay.”
His jaw tightened, clearly stopping whatever sharp retort had been on his tongue.
Not expecting that, were you, mate?
He turned for the door.
No way could I engage in this scheme with Carina present. I bet she’d smell my trap from a mile away. “Enzo?”
He paused at the doorway and faced me.
“Any chance we could… eat in private?” I grew breathless, my limbs shaking.Please don’t see through me. “Maybe… in here?”
He blinked once, twice, then snapped out of it. “I’ll bring our meals up.”
???
This plan just might work. Last night we ate our meals in my room, and today we planned to do the same. Right now, he fetched our breakfast from downstairs. I rummaged through the new designer labels Enzo purchased for me and chose a cute sunflower summer dress. No point in protesting the clothes now. If I was to play a lovesick fool, I had to commit to the act. The sooner I convinced him, the sooner I’d be free.
I donned the dress, yanked at the hem, which sat a little too short for my normal taste. The sweetheart neckline revealed a hint of cleavage. Not much, thank goodness. I brushed my hair and fastened on a pair of brown sandals. After a little mascara and natural-hued lipstick, I studied myself in the mirror, determined to use every trick up my sleeve to deceive him. The place, the outfits, the makeup, you name it.
The sharp rap on the door vibrated through the soles of my sandals, traveling up my spine with a jolt.
“Gemma?”
I released a harsh breath, forcing a cheery demeanor as I departed the walk-in and into the main bedroom.
His gaze slid down my length, surprise widening his eyes.
