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He offered everything but my freedom.
Enzo nods and all the men file out of the car.
Langston opens Enzo’s door. Slowly Enzo eases out from underneath me, stands, and then his arms are under me scooping me out.
I can walk, I say with my eyes because it’s not important enough to speak with my voice and cause myself pain.
“I know you can, brave girl. But you shouldn’t have to. I’ll be your legs forever if you let me. I’ll be your armor. Your fighter. Your protector. Watching you walk out the door took something from me. I don’t understand why seeing you go hurt so badly, but it did. Worse than being shot. I won’t let it happen again.”
I soak in his words. Truth. His words are the truth.
He smiles, continuing to read my mind.
I don’t ever have to worry about Enzo hurting me again. He won’t, even in the game. I’m safe from his wrath.
Enzo carries me up to the bedroom where all the men have gathered. All of their concern is still etched on their faces.
I shake my head with a bashful grin as Enzo lays me down on the bed.
He sighs. “They just need to make sure you are okay. If you weren’t, you can count on the fact Langston and Zeke would kill me themselves.”
“You okay, stingray?” Zeke asks.
Stingray? I raise an eyebrow.
“Yea, it’s your nickname now. We needed a code name for you during the mission. That’s what I came up with. Because you pack a punch like stingrays, and you come from the sea.”
I reach out, needing to squeeze Zeke’s hand. He looks at it in fear.
“It’s okay,” I whisper. We both need the touch. He finally walks to the bed and takes it, and then I pull him to me so he can hug me. The familiar jolt of energy shoots through me at the touch, but I don’t focus on it. I focus on this man who cares about me. Something I don’t think I’ve ever experienced. My own father didn’t even care about me.
When Zeke releases me, I look to Langston. I tell him to come here with my eyes. He does and hugs me the same way Zeke did. Two men that care about me. How did I get so lucky?
And then I see Enzo. His look is both similar and different from Langston and Zeke’s. He cares, but there is something else there I can’t place.
Zeke and Langston leave, as Dr. Patten starts examining my wound one more time. He puts a dressing over it and gives me a bottle of painkillers to take. He reminds me to take it easy for a day or two, but I should heal easily. The stitches can come out in two weeks.
And then it’s Enzo and me alone in the bedroom we share. And as much as I’m trapped, I don’t feel that way—I’m home.
Fuck, it’s messed up that the only place I’ve ever considered home is this house.
Enzo sits on the edge of the bed while I study him. He’s lost in thought. His brow has deepened, and the lines near his eyes have creased. I’m sure he’s thinking about how to keep me safe from Milo.
Milo will be coming. But it will take some time for him to realize Enzo has me, and not his other enemies. We are safe enough for now.
Right now, I need something different. I know the doctor ordered rest, but I won’t be able to rest until I get what I need.
I need to solidify Enzo’s promise. I need to heal. And I need to know I will never be hurt by this man again.
Enzo reads my thoughts. He knows what I need. But I think he’s going to fight me on it. I think he’s going to say I need rest first. I need to sleep.
However, Enzo surprises me as usual.
“Punish me. It will make you feel better. And when it’s done, I will spend the rest of my life earning every bit of your trust.”
6
ENZO
