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“I guess this means Pablo lives to see another day,” Hudson remarked in a gravelly tone.
“We’ll deal with that problem when we get back,” Constantine bit out, then motioned for the door.
Instead of following them out, I went over to the window and set a palm to the glass, my thoughts racing. I still couldn’t grasp the idea someone Bianca knew would want to hurt her. But I’d never thought Thomas would come after me, either, and ...
“People in love do crazy things,” I said at the memory of my words earlier to Maria about her ex. “Did you love someone, Bianca?” And if so, why’d they want to kill you?
TWENTY-TWO
Maria
The dining room table was covered in platters and dishes, and everything smelled amazing. Not that I could take credit for anything other than the salad. I was pretty sure Mrs.Costa didn’t trust my culinary skills.
At the feel of a warm body behind me, I closed my eyes, knowing it was Enzo. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me tight to his frame, setting his chin on top of my head. “You okay?”
I wasn’t sure how much time we had alone before everyone joined us, so I shared my wine-induced thoughts. “Your mom hates me.”
“No way. She loves you.” He was quick to respond, but he wasn’t in the kitchen while his mom had given me the third degree, and I’d nearly caved to the pressure and shared the real reason we were in New York.
“All I know is that she doesn’t want me with you.” Not that she said that, but that’d been the vibe.
He turned me around and snatched my cheeks. “She doesn’t want me with you, that’s the issue. You’re a Romano, remember? My parents promised to protect you and Natalia. That’s all. And she thinks I’ll break your heart.” Worry lines cut across his forehead, and then he frowned. “My sister thinks the same.”
“She told you that?” I lifted my brows in surprise.
He let go of me and backed away, his eyes going to the entranceway as if checking to ensure we were still alone. “I came to see you earlier, and I overheard her talking to you. She doesn’t think I love her.”
Before I could respond, Isabella and her boyfriend came into the room, along with Mrs.Costa. “Looks like your dad will be late. He said to eat without him.”
Enzo let go of a deep, gruff breath. He must’ve been eager to talk to his father and let him know what was going on. Given his father’s past, maybe he could help.
“This is Pablo,” Isabella introduced him, and Pablo stepped forward, taking a bit too long in admiring my dress, and before I knew it, Enzo stepped around me, blocking my view of Isabella’s boyfriend.
“Your ears aren’t the only thing you’re in danger of losing,” Enzo sharply warned, and Isabella grabbed Pablo’s arm.
“He’s an artist. He’s just admiring beauty, and Maria is stunning.” Isabella’s excuse didn’t seem to do anything for Enzo, so I came by his side and gave Enzo a gentle nudge, hoping to redirect his focus.
“My girl is right.” Pablo smiled. “She’s an understanding woman. I paint women in the nude all the time. It’s just art.” He held open his palms as his gaze took a slow journey over my body again. “I’d love to—”
“If you say you want to paint Maria, I’ll fucking kill you,” Enzo remarked in a low, cutting voice.
“Enzo,” Isabella snapped. “Seriously? Why do you have to be such a dick?” She released Pablo’s arm and left the dining room, and their mom held up her hand, probably a directive to Enzo not to follow her. Not that Enzo would leave me alone with Pablo.
Isabella’s mom went after her, and Pablo’s shoulders shrank without his girlfriend there to protect him, and he stepped back—right into a wall of three other intimidating men.
Startled, Pablo turned to see Constantine, Alessandro, and Hudson there.
“What’s wrong?” Hudson was the first to ask, and he turned to the side, his attention lingering in the direction Isabella had run.
I walked my fingers up and down Enzo’s spine, hoping to calm him. He was wound tight for so many reasons, and the artist was about to get the brunt of all his anger.
“He wants to paint Maria naked,” Enzo said as Pablo twisted back around to face him.
“I’ll paint you both. I don’t care. A beautiful body is a beautiful body.” Pablo’s tone was borderline panic now. “Your sister lacks curves. Not much up top, either, if you know what I mean.” He held open his palms, eyes set on my chest as if he were considering touching me. Was the man insane?
And that had Enzo snapping. He reached out and circled Pablo’s throat with his hand.
“Let him go,” Constantine abruptly ordered, and it took Alessandro and Hudson prying Enzo away from Pablo to get Enzo to listen.
