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“Hey,” I say softly. “Did he do this to you?”
She nods, sniffling.
“Ok. Come on.” I wrap an arm around her shoulders and take her to the rest of the women, who are huddled on a couch, looking scared, including Emma. “Make sure she’s all right,” I tell them before returning to Enrico. I shove him off the bed. He lands on the ground hard and wakes right up.
“What the hell?” he slurs.
“You beat up Jules?” I kick him in the face before he can respond. “I told you if you acted out again, there would be consequences. Did you think of that, huh?” I kick him again.
“Matteo, stop,” he whimpers.
I bend down and say calmly and quietly, “Stop treating the women here like you can do whatever you want to them. I don’t want to kick you out of the club, but I think I’m gonna have to.”
Enrico tries to stand and ends up falling over. “No. You can’t do that.”
“Beating the shit out of you clearly didn’t get the memo across. Maybe this will. Pack up your things. You’re out of here.”
“But you need me. You’re low on men. You’ll be too weak if you get rid of your guys.”
“I can replace you well enough.” I didn’t want to at first. I thought if I kept Adelina away from Enrico, I wouldn’t hate the sight of him so much, but if he continues harassing the women, then I really do need to do something about it. For the women as well as Adelina. I can just imagine the disappointment on her face if I told her about what Enrico did to Jules and that I didn’t do anything about it. But I can. I don’t need to kill him. I just need to kick him out. I hope Adelina will be proud of me. “Now, get the fuck out of my sight.” I walk out of the room and go to Carlo, who’s near the bar, nursing a beer.
“Enrico is out,” I explain to him. “I should have kicked him out before. Make sure he actually leaves. I have a wife I need to tend to.”
Carlo nods. “You got, boss.”
I walk out of the meeting house feeling lighter already. Getting rid of Enrico is one less thing I need to worry about. And if this creates even more trust between Adelina and me, I’ll take it.
I want her to want me. I just need to show her that she can trust me.
CHAPTER 15
Adelina
“So, how have things been going for you?” Dario asks. He’s sitting next to my hospital bed. It’s nice to talk to him. Even though it’s only been a few days, it’s felt like years, given how much has happened.
The question is, do I tell him about Matteo’s men assaulting me? I didn’t before because I didn’t want to worry him.
But now that it’s just the two of us, I can say something. A part of me wants to tell him. A larger part doesn’t. I don’t want to ruin the little progress Matteo and I have made. For better or for worse, Matteo is my husband, and I’m starting to realize that I want to make things work.
“Well enough, considering I wasn’t happy about this marriage to begin with,” I finally say.
“I’m glad you’re making it work. I hate that you got hurt, though.”
I motion toward my aching head. “This wasn’t Matteo’s doing, you know that.” Wow. Now I’m even defending him. When did that happen?
“I know. But he needs to make sure he takes care of you better. I don’t want to see you back in the hospital.”
“I know. How are things back home? How’s Serafina?”
“She’s good. She’s already moved on from Matteo and has a new crush.”
“Who?”
He shrugs. “Some man on social media she’s been talking to. As long as she doesn’t get into trouble, I don’t care who she crushes on.”
“That’s good at least. That helps me feel better about Matteo and me if she has no problem with it.”
And speaking of the devil …
