Page 10 of Second in Command
“I was only kidding,” he chuckles, as I make my way outside.
As eight o’clock approached, the flowers would look mesmerizing under the morning sun, something I looked forward to seeing every morning.
“I admit like many men I have some . . . faults.”
“I don’t want to be one of them, one of yourfaults.”
“And you won’t,” he replies quickly, walking around to stand in front of me. Annoyed, I place a hand on my hip. All I wanted to do was watch the flowers.
“Enzo—”
“One date,” he persists, “if the date is horrible, and you can’t stand me, it won’t happen again.”
My eyes dart from the sun, to Enzo, and back to the sun. I let out a sigh. If I continued to drawl on this conversation, I would miss the sight, and my day would be ruined. “Whatever, fine. Just get out of my light.”
“Francesca!”
My father calls me, just at the moment that Enzo moves, and with a groan, I turn away from a grinning Enzo.
“The food smells heavenly.”
six
While I’m aware,that I did agree to the date, I didn’t expect him to follow through.
I tried my best to contain my smile as Enzo waited outside of my house the next night, in his Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
I wasn’t quite ready yet, but he’d just have to wait if it was my presence he desired.
I threw on a pleated skirt that rested just below my knees, and a blue cashmere sweater pairing it with simple white block heels. My curls bounced on my shoulders as I twist my head left to right, ensuring that my makeup was done to perfection.
If I was asked, I’d say there were no real expectations for the night. Enzo was one of my father’s guards, and like all of them, he loved women. To get him off my tail, I’d give him this date, and he’d move on. So will I.
My father and Enzo waited for me at the bottom of the stairs, and I raise an eyebrow at the two of them.
“This isn’t prom night,” I mumble, and my father chuckles, embracing me in a hug.
“My sweet girl,” he murmurs, “have fun, and be safe.”
“Of course, papa.”
“Enzo here will protect you with his life. I’m sure of it.”
“Hm,” I hum, plastering a smile as my eyes land on him. My throat feels stiff at the sight of his gel-slicked hair, neatly done to perfection. He wasn’t wearing a suit today, something a lot more casual instead. I could see his arms — the nakedness of them, and maybe it had been a while since I’ve been with someone . . . but Enzo seemed to want to bring out the worst in me. We lock eyes, and the corner of his lip lifts.
“Have a good night,” my father says, leaving me in the hands of his soldier. Enzo outstretches his hand silently, and I take it.
Once we were outside, he opens up the passenger door so that I can get in.
“You look beautiful,” he says, “it’s hard to believe you did all of this for me.”
“All of what?” I tilt my head, a smirk playing on my lips, “I look like this every day.”
Enzo chuckles, shaking his head as he closes the door.
“We’ll have two venues tonight,” he says as we drive away, “I hope those heels are comfortable.”
“Comfortable? I’m going to have to walk?”
