Enforcer’s Obsession

Chapter 25

TWENTY-FIVE

Hope

“What the fuck?”

I stared at the entryway to the kitchen, a spot that was vacant, even though Nico had only been there seconds ago.

Suddenly feeling embarrassed—and bereft—I adjusted my clothes.

Even though I’d lost my appetite, I turned the stove back on, needing some distraction.

Twenty minutes later, dinner was ready, but there was zero chance I’d be able to eat it.

I was confused, and annoyed.

I didn’t know how to deal with this shit.

There was clearly something going on with Nico, and with me. I’d been content not to try to name it, or even explore it really, just let it exist. But now I wondered how long I could keep that up.

On the other hand, I didn’t know what I was doing, and thought it foolish to even try to have something like a relationship with Nico.

I was so out of my league I could barely comprehend it. This wasn’t the safe, comfortable world I had built for myself after I got away from Daniel.

And I had no idea how to navigate it.

I looked at the phone Nico had given me and grabbed it on impulse. There would be repercussions for this, but right now I need to talk to someone I could trust, and the answer was clear.

“Hello?”

WhenMolly answered, I heard the wariness in her tone, and hurried to fill the air before she hung up.

“Molly, it’s me,” I said.

“Hope! How are you?” she said.

She sounded suspicious, which was understandable. I had shared a few text messages and one very short phone conversation, which was out of the norm and something I knew I’d have to answer for. But now wasn’t the time.

“I’m fine. Sorry I’ve been out of touch…”

“It’s okay. What’s going on?” She cut to the quick, which was so like her, and I smiled despite the emotions roiling through me.

“I—” The phone clicked and I pulled the phone away from my face before I put it back to my ear. “Molly?”

“Sorry,” she said before she let out a hard rush of breath. “I just— Oh God! If you’re in the middle of something, I…”

I could practically see her shaking her head and from the sound over the phone, I had no doubt that she was.

“No. I’m happy to talk,” she said.

But then silence filled the line, sudden apprehension holding my tongue.

“I…”

I could hear Molly smile. “Whatever it is, Hope, you know you can say it to me. No matter what.”

“I…”

I heard something in the background, and I frowned.

“Do you have company?” I asked.

“No one important,” she responded.

Then a familiar male voice filled the line. “No one important she says.”

“Enzo?” I asked.

“Hi, Hope.”

Then he was gone.

“Enzo’s at your place?” I asked.

“You didn’t call to talk about me,” Molly said.

“Did you call to talk about Nico?” Enzo said. His voice was muffled, but I heard him clearly nonetheless.

“You’re so annoying!” she said.

I heard him chuckle, could practically see the mischievous grin on his face.

“You didn’t find me so annoying when you were sitting on my cock, eh?” he said.

“Gross!” I exclaimed into the phone.

“Please ignore the ridiculous manchild, and say what you need to,” Molly said.

“Don’t say that again, Molly,” Enzo said.

“Or?” Molly said.

There was a rustlingagainst the phone, and again Enzo’s voice came over the line.

“I assume you’re calling about my cousin,” he said.

“Um…yeah?” I said.

“He’s an asshole. And he’s the best man you’ll ever meet. Not so good with the relationship thing, so cut him a little slack. And, though he would kill me, literally, if he heard me say this, you have to take the lead. So, if you want to know what’s up, ask him. Dare him to deny the truth. Otherwise, he’ll leave you both twisting in the wind for God only knows how long, and I, for one, am not in the mood.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“No problem. Now Molly and I have to go. There’s a lesson she apparently needs to relearn,” he said.

The line clicked, and I couldn’t stop myself from chuckling.

I wouldn’t have predicted it, but then again, Molly had a zest for life that I envied, and Enzo matched that energy. But being preoccupied with other people was the last thing I needed to do.

I put down the phone, relieved I had made the call, though I wondered how Nico would react. I started cleaning up the kitchen, moving methodically, my thoughts racing, even though my movements were slow.

Could I do that?

Confront Nico?

Silence, not being seen, certainly not confronting people, was what had kept me alive all these years.

It was safe, comfortable.

Nothing about Nico was safe or comfortable, not really, and I feared upsetting the apple cart.

What if I was wrong?

That was as good a possibility as any.

I had no idea what Nico had done before me, though I could guess. How arrogant would it be to think I might mean something to him?

It would be beyond arrogant. It would be stupid.

All convincing reasons to keep my mouth closed, but I looked at Champ, hoping he would have some guidance.

Instead I found him lying on his back, wrestling with the rope bone.

I laughed. “Show it who’s boss, Champ.”

He paid me no heed, and soon, he was forgotten because the door opened.

Nico walked in, and when he saw me, I could tell he was surprised.

“I told you not to wait up,” he said.

His voice had a nasty undertone, one that ordinarily would have sent me scurrying.

Not today, though.

“We need to talk,” I said.

He snorted. “No the fuck we don’t.”

I followed him up the stairs, doing so going against my every instinct.

He clearly didn’t want to have this conversation, but I couldn’t let it go.

Felt like I owed it to both of us not to.

“What am I to you?” I said.

We were in his bedroom now, my back at the door, Nico facing away from me.

He stopped, turned to me slowly, the scowl on his face enough to send most sane people running.

But if I’d proven nothing else, I’d proven that I wasn’t sane, so I didn’t move an inch.

“Leverage.” He said the word with an air of glee that I knew was designed to take the wind out of my sails.

“Bullshit,” I responded.

He quirked a brow, his question clear.

“You know that there is one, maybe two people this whole world who would give a fuck if the earth opened up and swallowed me whole. There’s no one for you to leverage me against.”

He shrugged, trying to give off an air of nonchalance.

“Well, I was trying to be polite. You’re a hostage, then. Or, a toy for me to play with until I get bored,” he said.

“Double bullshit,” I countered.

He stomped over to me, his size dwarfing me, as he glared down into my face.

“What the fuck are you asking me, Hope?”

“I thought it was very clear, but I guess I can explain it. I’m not your hostage, so what am I?”

He stared at me for a long moment, his eyes flashing.

“Get it through you head, Hope. I saved you because I felt sorry for you. Other than that, you’re nothing to me but pussy.”

His eyes were locked on mine, sincere, and I flushed with my stupidity, suddenly felt foolish.

I broke eye contact, and could feel myself drooping, seeking a place to hide.

His fingers brushed my cheek, and I slapped his hand away roughly.

“Do. Not. Touch. Me,” I said.

He was still standing there, a huge, hulking presence.

He went to touch me again, and I pushed his hand away, or at least tried to.

“Don’t you get it?” he finally said, his voice rough. When I heard his tone, I dared meet his eyes again.

“What don’t I get, Nico?” I asked, my voice filled with venom.

“That’s all you can ever be. Because if I let you be more… If I let myself love you, I’ll lose you like everyone else,” he said.

His voice was all the more heartbreaking because of how earnest he was.

I stared at him, really stared, understanding overtaking me.

He dropped his hand, and I reached up to grip his face and locked eyes with him.

“I’m not going anywhere, Nico.

I whispered the words softly, not needing the volume to convey my conviction.

I stretched up, pressed my lips to the corner of his mouth.

Then had arms filled with nothing but air because Nico stormed out.