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“Pleasure meeting you, Bianca.” Paolo stepped closer, his smile widening as he reached out to take my hand, but the deep growl that came from Enzo had Paolo and me freezing.
I glanced at Enzo, shocked at the intense—frighteningly hard—expression that was on his face and aimed right at Paolo. I looked at his brother then, watching his smile falter as he took in his sibling’s expression. His brows then pulled low, and he took a step back, nodding once in some kind of silent understanding.
Enzo is staking his claim. He’s letting anyone and everyone, even his brother, know you’re his.
Oh God… that was scary and so arousing.
“It’s nice to meet you, Bianca.” Gone was the flirty, arrogant amusement in Paolo’s tone, and in its place was clear respect. With another incline of his head in Enzo’s direction, he turned and walked back over to two younger men who stood by the VIP bar, ones I hadn’t even noticed until now. My face heated again as I wondered how long they’d been standing there and what they’d all seen.
Paolo and the men walked away and disappeared behind a red velvet curtain in the VIP section. I exhaled and looked at Enzo, who, not surprisingly, had his gaze locked on me. “What was that about?” I whispered, knowing I didn't have to elaborate on what I meant, especially when Enzo smirked.
He didn’t respond, just reached out for his whiskey and took a sip as he stared at me over the rim. Oh, so he wanted to play it that way?
“What were you doing, staking your claim on me or something?” I tried to sound indignant, but there was zero heat in my voice. I'd be lying if I tried to play it off that I didn’t like the possessive side of Enzo, or the fact that he wanted to make it known.
He didn’t speak as he took another sip, then set his glass back down, focusing on me once more. “I don’t need to stake my claim,” he murmured. “You’re already mine.”
And just like that, my desire was right at the forefront.
“But I won’t tolerate any man thinking they can look at you or get anywhere near where they can touch what’s mine.”
My tongue felt thick, the need to tell him I couldn’t be owned by anyone right on the tip of my tongue. But instead, I said, “Even your brother?”
He leaned in a fraction, and I held my breath. “Even my brother.” Enzo lowered his gaze to my mouth, and I knew he was seconds away from kissing me and getting us right back to the spot we’d been in before Paolo stopped us.
“I need to use the restroom,” I whispered suddenly and stood, my head feeling woozy from the champagne and Enzo’s close proximity. It wasn’t that I needed to use the bathroom. I needed space, air… needed to gather my thoughts.
Enzo smirked, and I knew he was fully aware how this was nothing but running away. But he said nothing, just tipped his head toward the direction of the bathroom. I licked my lips and stared at him for a moment before turning and making my way toward the back of the VIP section and down the short hallway where the private bathrooms were. I was proud of myself for walking steadily, and once in the bathroom, I leaned against the white-and-black granite counter and breathed out slowly. When I looked at myself in the mirror, my reflection was shocking.
My hair was slightly mussed from when Enzo had his fingers tunneled in the locks. My cheeks were pink from a desire-induced flush. My lips were red and swollen from his kiss. My nipples were obscenely hard, and my areolas were very visible through the white fabric of my top.
And on the side of my neck was another mark… Enzo’s mark.
My hands were starting to shake, and I tightened my fingers around the cold, hard stone even more. I stayed there for a couple of minutes and then washed my hands, patted some cold water on my cheeks, dried the droplets off, and left.
Enzo was no longer sitting on the loveseat, but I saw him by the red velvet ropes that blocked off our private section with the rest of the club. He didn’t hide the fact that he was checking me out, and to see his eyes moving up and down my form had me shivering. When I was right beside him, he opened up my jacket and helped me put it on, then held his arm out for me to slip my hand through.
I was pressed right to his side when he leaned down and whispered against my ear, “I thought we could take this to a far more private place… one that won’t have anyone interrupting us.” He pulled back, and although there was this sexy arrogance in his gaze, a look on his face that told me he already knew what my answer was, he was genuinely giving me the option if I changed my mind.
“Let's go somewhere private,” I finally said and didn’t hide the need in my voice.
He didn’t smirk, didn’t act smug over my answer. He placed his fingers under my chin, tipped my head back, and leaned down to kiss me soundly. My toes were curled by the time he pulled back, and then he was leading me out of the VIP room and through the club. But before we cleared the thick throng of people, a few men in dark suits were coming up to Enzo and speaking with him. There was no tightening in Enzo’s shoulders, and his expression held an easy disposition, so it was clear he knew them.
He turned to me and leaned down to speak in my ear. “Give me a second, Bianca.” He kissed the side of my throat once more, right where he’d left the fresh mark. I was realizing Enzo enjoyed kissing the sensitive skin of my neck, probably knowing full well the effect it had on my body when he touched me.
He let go of my hand and faced the men fully, their expressions turning serious as Enzo spoke with them. Despite the loud bass surrounding us, it was as if there was nothing else around for these men. Their attention was wholly on Enzo, and the air of respect they had toward him was very clear.
These men are part of the mafia, too.That was obvious.Enzo is their boss… their capo.
The crush of dancing bodies around us crowded in, and I was pushed back slightly and away from Enzo. I could still see him, and he was close enough that if I pushed my way through I’d be right back by his side, but before I could make my way back to him, I felt a hand curl around my hip. I tensed and spun around, surprised to see Stephan standing in front of me. He still had the nerve to have his hand on my hip, and I went to step back, but he tightened his fingers against me as he leaned in.
“I thought you didn’t do clubs,” he said loudly to be heard over the music, his alcohol-laced breath causing my nose to tingle in disgust. He tried to pull me closer, and I struggled. “You bitches are all the same,” he sneered. Although it was deafeningly loud in the club, I could hear his anger clearly. “Always thinking you’re too good, isn’t that right?”
I was shocked at how strong he was. The flash of his annoyance and determination moved across his face. But before I could react—AKA kick him in the balls for thinking he had some kind of claim over me and for insulting me—there was motion beside me.
Everything happened so quickly I was left standing there frozen at what played out before me.
Enzo towered over Stephan, gripped him by the throat, and lifted him up so that only the toes of his shoes touched the ground. Stephan’s hands went to his neck as he tried prying Enzo’s fingers off, but he was no match for him.
