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“You think?”
“Yeah. Because if you told him, he’d be furious. He would try to make me stop, and I’d have to fight him.”
“So you’re saying you would fight him if he told you to stop seeking me out?” I ask, confused. “Why?”
He doesn’t reply. But his eyes do flare slightly with heat.
“Don’t worry, Rosa. Like I told you, it’ll make sense soon enough,” he says, getting to his feet. His eyes move to where Kiara’s still seated. “Why don’t you head back to your friend?”
“Why don’t you stop stalking me!” I retort.
He smiles in amusement. “I’m not stalking you, Rosa. I was here first.” he says as the waiter returns his card and the receipt from his bill.
I get to my feet as well and cross my arms over my chest. When Enzo takes a step forward, my heart speeds up. I have to incline my head slightly to look him in the eye. I feel an unmistakable urge to look away, but I don’t. I’m not wearing heels today, just black flats.
“Whatever game you’re playing with my brother, I don’t want any part of it,” I tell him, my voice firm.
This time when Enzo smiles, it’s a sort of sad smile. He lifts his hand to my cheek and brushes it softly. Goosebumps spread across my skin at his touch, but I have enough sense to inch away and glare.
“I’ll see you again,principessa,” he says softly.
And then he’s walking away. I stare at his back for a few seconds before turning around and heading back to Kiara. As soon as I slide back into my seat, her mouth opens.
“Don’t ask,” I immediately say, stopping her.
Her mouth clamps shut, but she frowns. “Everyone has a phase where they’re interested in the bad boys with smoldering hot looks. But I swear that man feels dangerous, Rosa. It’s his aura or something.”
“I know he’s dangerous,” I mutter.
“Then you know you have to be careful.”
“I’m not interested in him,” I say defensively. “He just keeps showing up.”
“Then tell your brother.”
“No.” I shake my head. “That would be like adding petrol to a fire.”
Kiara sighs. “Alright, then I guess I’ll just sit back and enjoy the show.”
I want to tell her there’s no show. But my head spins as I try to make sense of all that I’ve learned. It’s pretty clear now that whatever’s going on between the De Lucas and the Russos has something to do with me. But I can’t figure it out.
What do you want with me, Enzo Russo?
The truth doesn’t always setyou free. I learn that a week after my meeting with Enzo in the restaurant, when my brother walks into my bedroom and explains to me that he needs my help. My mother raised me to be compliant. A good Italian girl does whatever it is that’s asked of her, especially when it’s for the good of our family. Women are there to keep the house from burning down. According to Roman, our house is on fire.
And I’m the only one who can save it. The only problem is, to do that, I have to marry a stranger.
A stranger with light blue eyes and a painfully handsome face. A stranger I’m pretty sure could be the devil in disguise.
My throat is dry but I manage to find the words. “You’re asking me to get married to a man I barely know?” I ask my brother, unable to keep the betrayal from my voice.
An arranged marriage was always in the cards, but a part of me thought that with my father dead and my brother a bit more understanding than our dad ever was, I would be able to avoid it. But it’s pretty clear now that there was never any avoiding it. This was practically written in the stars from the moment I was born.
Good Italian girls do as they’re told and marry who they’re asked to marry. Like a lamb to fucking slaughter.
CHAPTER 5
Enzo
