Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I’m the one who didn’t check who the man was and didn’t divulge my virginity. I thought it wouldn’t matter.
God, I’ve never regretted anything more in my life.
Closing the distance between us, I frame his clenched jaw with my hands and stare into his troubled eyes. “You are the most amazing man on the face of this planet, Enzo. You are so caring and protective of everyone you love. You’re loyal to a fault, and you show up every single time someone needs you.” I shake my head, giving him another pleading look. “You make people feel safe. You’d give up your own happiness if it meant protecting someone you care about.” Some of the darkness retreats in his eyes, and it spurs me on to keep going. “You’re brave, even when you’re terrified. You take responsibility for things that aren’t even your fault.”
I brush my thumb over the rough stubble on his jaw. “You have the biggest heart of anyone I know, even if you believe otherwise.” Please hear me. “You care so deeply that it hurts you when someone else is suffering. You put everyone before yourself, and you never ask for anything in return.”
Lifting onto my toes, I wrap my arms around his neck and hold him tight. “I trust you, and there is nowhere I feel safer than when I’m with you.”
Enzo returns the embrace, and just as I think I got through to him, he whispers, “I wish I was the man you see.”
“You are.”
He pulls away again and walks toward the door. “Unlock the elevator so I can go clean your apartment.”
Glad that he’s not leaving the building, I enter the code and grab my phone and the central remote before joining him in the elevator. I scan my biometrics so we can go to the seventh floor.
When my lips part, Enzo shakes his head at me, his voice hollow as he says, “I’m done talking, Rosie.”
The doors open and he stalks into my home. For the next two hours, I sit on the couch and watch as he cleans every surface.
When he finally drops down on the other couch, letting out an exhausted sigh, I get up and crouch in front of him. I can feel his eyes on me while I remove his boots.
He still says nothing when I pull his gun from where it’s tucked into his waistband. I set it down on my coffee table, then taking hold of his shoulders, I give him a soft nudge.
“Lie down.”
I feel some relief when he listens. After he’s stretched out on the couch with one of the throw cushions tucked under his head, I sit down on the floor beside him and place my hand on his chest, over his heart.
He moves his right arm and rests his palm against the side of my neck while his left hand covers mine on his chest.
A heavy breath shudders from him as he closes his eyes, and I sit dead still, watching as he finally gives in to his exhaustion and falls asleep.
Silently, my tears begin to fall. I won’t forgive myself for the pain I’ve caused Enzo.
If there was any chance for us, it’s gone now.
Chapter 6
Enzo
The Present…
Enzo, 31. Rosie, 27.
The private dining room at Gianna’s sits at the back of the restaurant, separated from the lunch crowd by frosted glass panels and a door no one opens unless they’re invited.
It’s one of the many restaurants my family owns. The food is excellent, the service flawless, and more than one business deal in New York has been settled over a drink at this table.
I glance at the three men I’m meeting to discuss the new rate that will continue keeping them firmly in our pockets.
Mark Roberts, president of the Construction Trades Council, is pushing sixty and built like a retired boxer.
Beside him sits Russel Underhill, the union treasurer, a lean man with balding gray hair and sharp eyes that miss nothing. Closest to me, Michael O’Donnell, head of the laborers’ division, swallows the last bite of salmon while setting down his fork.
We’ve been doing this dance for years. The only thing that changes is the amount they walk out with.
Mark wipes his mouth with a napkin before looking at me. “The costs keep climbing, Mr. Falco.”
My expression remains neutral as I mutter, “They always do.”
“Which means we need to revisit our arrangement.”
These men don’t have any leverage. I only tolerate the meetings because keeping everyone happy simply costs less than paying to fix problems later.
Leaning back in my chair, I slowly twirl my tumbler of whiskey. “Let me hear the amount.”
Russel slides a folder across the table. “The board voted unanimously.”
Sure, they did.
Opening it, my eyes scan the figures, and just like I expected, the increase is higher than last year’s request.
It’s not ridiculous but also not reasonable.