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)
Chuckling, I begin to feel very tired and lean into Mom. “By the way, thanks for letting me wear your favorite sweater.”
A loving smile settles on her face. “It’s yours now, my baby.”
“Let’s take the IV out,” Dr. Milazzo says.
I sit on the bed again, hating how quickly I burned through my energy.
We all watch as he removes the needle before pressing a small square of gauze over the spot and taping it to the back of my hand.
Locking eyes with me, Dr. Milazzo orders, “Don’t do too much too soon.”
“Yes, Doc.”
I glance at the doorway when I hear footsteps, and when my grandparents come in, a smile splits over my face.
“Oh my God,” Grandma gasps. “You’re up!” She hurries toward me and engulfs me in a tight hug, then Grandpa joins, and I’m fussed over for a good ten minutes, which is food for my soul.
Jesus, it’s good to be back with my loved ones.
Chapter 22
Rosie
Enzo hovers around me, helping me into the passenger seat of his Mustang, then he leans in, and I have to press back to avoid our faces touching.
His knuckles brush my ribs as he pulls the seat belt across me, and my eyes latch onto his hands before I can stop myself.
I wish I could erase the pain he must’ve felt.
I want to touch his hand… and take it between mine… and press my lips to every inch… Stop.
That’s never happening.
I curl my fingers into the sleeves of my sweater instead of reaching for him.
“Rosie,” he says, pulling me out of my thoughts
Realizing I’ve been staring, I quickly mumble, “Sorry.
His jaw tightens. “Don’t apologize.”
Why does everything feel weird between us?
It’s like we’re no longer on the same page.
Whatever that page was.
The broodiness is gone, and he doesn’t boss me around at all but treats me like I’m made of glass.
Ugh. I forgot.
I declared my undying love to him before I blew up the fortress, and again in the farewell message I made.
Shit.
As the thought pops into my head, I cringe internally.
Wait, it’s not like I hid my feelings from him to begin with. He always knew about the crush.
So, if it’s not that, then what's different?
“You’re being weird,” I mutter as he pulls back.
Instead of saying anything, he leans in again and presses a kiss to my forehead before shutting the door.
As he walks around the front of the car, I narrow my eyes at him, trying to figure out what’s going on.
The drive to his place is too quiet, and it makes me remember the days I used to do my best to annoy him with the silliest songs I could find.
Enzo keeps one hand on the steering wheel and the other close to me, resting near the center console, as if even the small space between us bothers him.
Every time we stop at a light, his gaze flicks to me.
Every time I move a muscle, he notices.
He’s watching me like I might vanish if he looks away, and I tell myself it’s because he probably feels guilty for not making it to me in time.
“I pressed the button,” I say, thinking that if we address the elephant in the room, things will return to normal. “The Bratva took me. None of that is on you, Enzo, so if you’re beating yourself up, please stop.”
“We’ll talk about it once we’re home.” That’s all he says, and it makes my worry spiral.
Oh shit. Is he angry with me?
My teeth tug at my bottom lip, and by the time he parks the Mustang in his regular spot, my stomach is a ball of nerves.
Chill, Rosie. What’s the worst that can happen? Enzo will lay into you, you’ll apologize, and things will return to normal.
Damn, this is going to suck ass, and honestly, I’m too tired to go up against Enzo in a fight.
The ride up to his apartment is filled with tense silence, and I begin to regret agreeing to stay with him.
As soon as the elevator doors open and we step into the foyer, I begin to ramble, “I’m sorry for everything, Enzo. Don’t be angry with me. I did what was necessary to protect the family. I had no idea they were coming for me and thought they were after the servers. I –”
Enzo bends and slides an arm beneath my knees, and another behind my back, then I go airborne. I grab hold of his shoulders and blink in shock as he carries me to the living room.
He carefully sets me down on the couch, then braces his hands on the backrest on either side of me. Looking me dead in the eye, he says, “I’m not angry with you. Stop stressing right this second.” I nod quickly, my gaze wide on him. “Nothing is wrong. I’m fucking happy to have you back, and it just keeps hitting me in waves.” I nod again. “So relax and get more rest because you’re far from recovered.”