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I pad down the hallway, my steps slower than normal because even with the pain meds on board, every inch of my body is sore. Coming around the corner, I say before really looking at the figure on the couch, “Michael, can we talk?”
The man on the couch twists around, and I scream.
Because that’s not Michael.
I spin and run, rather pathetically, back to Michael’s room.
“Shit. Wait!” the man calls after me.
I don’t listen because I don’t know him, and that’s enough for me.
Slamming the door behind me, I shove my back against it while I fumble with the lock. A second later, the stranger knocks on the door. It’s not angry or demanding, but I back away from the door and stare at it like the Hulk is about to burst through anyway.
“Rose?”
I freeze. How does he know my name?
“Rose?” He tries again, his tone a little softer this time. “I guess Michael didn’t tell you he was leaving me to keep guard?”
No. No, he did not.
The man chuckles when I remain quiet, like he finds this whole thing amusing. Something I do not. “Well, anyway, listen. My name is Enzo. I work with Michael.” He pauses as if waiting for me to reply. “I’m really sorry I scared you.” He finishes when I don’t speak.
He sounds remorseful, and it pulls at my heartstrings for whatever reason. I blame the lingering hormones.
“How do I know you’re not lying?” I’m proud at the confidence in my tone.
Enzo sighs loud and dramatically. “Oh, good. You are there. I thought maybe you were in the bathroom or the closet or something, and I was just talking to myself out here, like an idiot. To be honest with you, it happens a lot, but I was really hoping it wouldn't this time because, man, that was a seriously bad first impression I made in the living room.”
His rambling is actually kind of cute, but I say nothing and just wait.
“Would it help if I called Michael to explain everything?”
“Yes.”
“Great!” He sounds relieved, like I’d actually say no.
I hear him mess with his phone through the door, putting the device on speaker as it rings twice before Michael answers. “Enzo? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, boss. Everything’s fine. It’s just that I’m here with Rose, and well, I’m actually outside your bedroom door because I may have scared her—”
“What?” Michael interrupts. “What did you do?”
“Nothing. I swear. She came out into the living room, and I think she was expecting you. Anyway, she ran off when it was my handsome face instead and locked herself in your room. I introduced myself and apologized, then offered to call you to confirm I was not lying. Also, you’re on speaker.”
Michael sighs into the phone. “Rose?”
I step closer to the door. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that I was leaving Enzo behind. I didn’t realize I would be gone so long and hoped you would still be asleep when I returned. But I trust Enzo with my life and so can you, I promise.” His deep voice calms my frayed nerves. “You did well, by the way, running from a stranger. I would too from Enzo. He is rather ugly,” he adds on, which makes the stranger I now know as Enzo scoff in disbelief.
I raise my hand to the doorknob and twist, pulling the door open just enough to peek out at Enzo. Vivid blue eyes meet mine cautiously before he offers me a reassuring smile. He’s an incredibly large man with tattoos covering every inch of visible skin. The sides of his head are shaved, showing off the swirls of intricate tattoos on his skull. What’s left of his blond hair is pulled back into a high bun. He resembles a buffed, tattooed, modern-day Viking, completing the look with a long, clean beard tied off at the bottom. Looking at him now, he’s rather intimidating but also good looking…in a gruff kind of way.
“Hi, Rose,” he says. “Nice to meet you. Officially.”
“Hi.”
He offers his phone out to me, and I reach out for it.
