Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
I nodded. “Understood.”
“Good. Go check on your woman.”
I took the steps two at a time, finding Ren in my suite. Well, finding the clothes she’d dressed in this morning. “This morning,” I whispered to myself, hardly able to believe it was still the same fucking day.
The shower ran inside the bathroom, steam curling into the bedroom. I paused, but only for a second, my worry and my need to see Ren too strong to ignore any longer.
I hesitated at the door, suddenly unsure what the fuck I was doing. I walked into the fire to rescue her, but now I held back. Why?
The shower door slid open and Ren stepped out, but it took a moment for the cloud of steam to clear, for Ren to come into view. She was still gorgeous with her damp hair, makeup-free face, and curves on full display. She was safe. She was alive, and the relief that slammed into me forced me to use the wall to keep myself upright.
And then my gaze landed on a nasty bruise at her side. Purple fists bloomed angrily along her ribs, and red and purple rings wrapped around her wrists. “Fuck, Ren.” I was in front of her instantly, reaching out to touch her.
She didn’t flinch or pull away. “It’s fine,” she said in a voice smaller than I’d ever heard.
“It’s not fucking fine,” I growled and then bandaged her wrists slowly, carefully, my hands steady even as something inside me twisted tight. “Does this hurt?” I asked, brushing my fingertips along her ribs.
She flinched despite herself but shook her head anyway.
“I’ll have a doctor come—”
“No,” she said quickly, catching my wrist. Her voice was soft. Tired. “I’m okay, Enzo. Just… stay here. Please?”
I exhaled, the tension easing just enough to breathe. “Yeah. Of course.” I gave a small, humorless smile. “Been counting down the hours to see you again all day.”
Her eyes filled instantly. “How is Matteo? He was so scared.” Her eyes slid shut. Guilt twisted her features.
I pulled her against me, holding her like she might vanish if I didn’t. “He was terrified for you, Ren. He loves you.”
She nodded against my chest. “I love him too.” She pulled back again, just enough for her gaze to meet mine. Her eyes were still damp and glassy, but her gaze was steady. “I love you too, Enzo.”
The words landed hard and heavy between us.
She misunderstood my silence. “I know this isn’t the right time,” she rushed on, cupping my face. “But I wasn’t sure earlier if I’d ever get the chance to tell you that you were loved. And…and even if nothing happens, I want you to know that.”
My heart swelled as it raced inside my chest. I’d never stopped loving her, and I never thought I’d hear those words from her lips again. Suddenly, all I wanted was a taste of that mouth. I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. The kiss was gentle but hungry, both of us too tired for anything but getting lost in it.
“I love you too,” I said quietly. “I never stopped.”
Her body sagged with relief, trusting her weight to me. “How are you?” she asked after a moment. “With everything.”
I knew what she was asking, and still, I gave the expected answer. “I’m fine.”
Her blue eyes seared into me for a long, assessing moment before she gave me a look that said she didn’t believe me. “Yeah, of course,” she agreed, nodding. “But even though he deserved it and it was part of your code or whatever, he was your cousin. It can’t have been easy.”
“It wasn’t,” I agreed. “But I will be okay.” It was hard to wrap my head around the fact that David had done all of this out of jealousy. That he’d wanted a life I would’ve happily given up two decades ago just to have a life with Ren. It was a fucking waste, but he’d done this. Not me.
“I know you will be, but right now? In this moment where it’s just us? It is perfectly okay if you aren’t.” She held me close, whispering in my ear. “If you want to talk, I’m here, Enzo.” Her gaze was soft as she looked at me, but the traces of exhaustion were visible in her eyes and the sluggish movements of her body.
“Thank you, Ren. I don’t deserve you.” If she decided she loved me enough to have a life together, I’d make sure every damn day to be worthy of her.
“Maybe,” she grinned. “But you got me anyway.”
I wanted her. God, how I wanted her, but it was too soon for that. She was exhausted and bruised, and I was…not in the headspace. “I just want to hold you and sleep, but I have to make some calls.”