Enforcer’s Obsession

Chapter 29

TWENTY-NINE

Hope

And I had.

I wasn’t sure when, how, but I had fallen in love Nico.

I lifted my hand, beckoned him toward me.

He didn’t move, not at first, but then he came toward me, his huge, muscular body a sight to behold.

I grabbed his wrists when he stopped at the side of the bed, and then pulled toward me, reaching up to kiss him.

Somehow, I knew he didn’t believe me.

Knew that he thought he was justified not to.

How could I deny that?

I was confused myself, knew that I should fear him.

But is much as I knew that, I didn’t.

Didn’t fear him at all.

Nico had shown me more love than anyone since my mother had died.

I trusted him completely.

I just needed him to believe it.

Words wouldn’t do that, so I pulled him down and wrapped my legs around his hips.

I reached between our bodies and guided his hard length inside me.

Hissed at the sting, our earlier lovemaking leaving me tender.

But the pain didn’t matter.

All that mattered was showing Nico that I loved him.

I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders, arching my back, offering myself to him.

He settled his hands on my waist, and took over, thrusting into me gently, but at a speed that left me breathless.

I wasn’t alone in whatever I was feeling.

His body rocked into mine, his cock throbbing as he pounded into me.

That he stilled, went hard as stone as he pulsed inside of me, filling me with his seed.

His eyes locked on mine as he held me through my own climax, then pulled me close, whispered in my ear as I had done his.

“I love you,” he whispered.

I heard his words.

Thrilled in them.

But couldn’t shake the feeling that they were a good-bye.

Hope

“Have a good day at work,” Nico said.

“You too, Nico,” I whispered.

He’d been…different.

Sure, it had been less than twelve hours since he had confessed his feelings.

But I couldn’t shake the sense that he was pulling away.

I hated it.

But what could I do?

I’d told him how I felt.

He’d told me how he felt.

Now I just had to see how things would play out.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” Staci, the director of the rescue said when I arrived.

I smiled at her, eager to think about anything but Nico and I.

“Busy day?” I asked when I noticed she’d pulled extra cages from the storage closet.

“It’s wild! The phone has been ringing off the hook, and I have a ton of appointments scheduled,” she said.

“Then I guess we’ll get started,” I said.

I was grateful for the distraction. We had five voluntary surrenders and thirteen other drop-offs. A very busy day, indeed, but one that I appreciated, especially because I managed not to get bitten even once.

By the time my shift ended, I was exhausted.

I rode the bus back to my apartment, and found Sebastian waiting for me.

“You mind hanging out here for a little bit? Nico wants to pick you up,” he said.

“It’s fine,” I said, though it was a curious development.

Nico didn’t really deviate from his routine, so I was curious—and worried. But I tried to look on the bright side as I went back to my small studio.

At least I’d have a chance to shower and change.

I did, and changed into my jeans, even though I knew Nico would prefer I wear something else, that thought making me smile.

By the time I finished dressing, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I said.

Nico came in, then smiled at me, the expression bright for a few fleeting moments before it was gone.

“Everything all right?” I asked, studying him.

“Better,” he said, “now that I see you.”

He pulled me close, kissed me, but then broke away.

“You ready?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said.

“Hungry?” he asked.

“Starved!”

“How about breakfast for dinner?” he said.

“I’m not going to argue,” I said.

I smiled at him, trying to convey my excitement, my feelings, that distance I’d felt before even stronger now.

But Nico just nodded, then interlaced his fingers with mine as he led me out of my studio.

He wasn’t himself, but I was too nervous to say anything.

I couldn’t put my finger on what, told myself that I was just being weird.

After all, I’d had exactly zero boyfriends.

And Nico was a full-grown man. Complicated, with responsibilities and problems that I could barely scratch the surface of.

If we were going to make this work, I had to be confident.

Trust in him.

Trust in us .

So I did that, trying to enjoy my breakfast for dinner, feeling relieved when he smiled at me, seeming to appreciate my choice of waffles.

“I need to make a stop,” he said after we left the restaurant.

“Sure,” I said.

He drove, though I didn’t recognize the neighborhood.

He stopped in front of a bar, but not one like Carlo’s .

This place was a little bit more glitzy, not as understated, and the throngs of rough-looking men who were milling outside gave me pause.

“Come with me,” he said.

“Okay,” I responded, though I was curious.

Felt relieved when I saw Enzo and Sebastian.

Neither spoke to me, so I said nothing, just followed Nico inside of the bar.

We attracted quite a bit of attention, but I wasn’t sure why.

One thing was certain, I certainly didn’t help.

My modest jeans, even more modest button-down shirt definitely made me stand out. But if Nico was bothered, he didn’t give away.

Instead he strode into the building like he owned the place, certain of his destination.

He stopped in front of the table at the far back of the place.

Clearly a seat of importance.

Others were gathered around it, all focused on the man in the center.

He was maybe fifty, polished, a little garishly dressed, though not bad-looking. He let his gaze rake over me, but didn’t linger.

Instead he quickly looked at Nico.

“You changed your mind?”

The man waited for a moment, and when Nico didn’t respond, he continued.

“Well, if you think this bitch is going to make us even after that shit you pulled, you’re dead fucking wrong,” he said.

I had no doubt that I was the bitch in question.

I had no idea what was happening, and figured now was not the time to ask.

So I let the seconds tick by, refusing to allow myself to give in to the fear that was racing through me, though the arms on my hair were standing up.

“No. I just came to do what I should have done months ago,” Nico said.

“And what’s that?” the man asked.

Nico lifted one corner of his mouth and smiled, and then, before anyone could react, he reached across the table and pulled the man out of his seat.

I knew Nico was strong, but seeing him manhandle this guy only underscored that point.

He held the man with his left hand, glaring down at him.

“You didn’t seem to get the message about what happens when people fuck with the Moretti family. So I came to make it crystal clear.”

I stared, stunned Nico as pulled out a knife and dragged it across the man’s throat.

Then Nico dropped him, and I watched as the blood rushed out of the man’s neck.

Listening to the sickening gurgle before the man collapsed and went silent.

Nico looked around the club, practically daring someone to do something.

No one did.

So, his hands wet with blood, he grabbed my forearm and guided us out of the building.

I said nothing as he drove, still trying to process what I had seen.

Was surprised when he went back to my apartment.

He grabbed a duffel bag, then got out of the car, circled the vehicle, and pulled open my door.

Then he led me inside.

“Shower,” he said.

I kicked out of my shoes, undressed, and did as he said.

When I returned, he was wearing different clothes, and mine were nowhere to be found.

Neither were my shoes.

“Do you still love me, Hope?” Nico asked.

Before I could speak, he cut me off.

“Think about it before you answer,” he said.

Then he left.