My hair was slightly mussed from when Enzo had his fingers tunneled in the locks. My cheeks were pink from a desire-induced flush. My lips were red and swollen from his kiss. My nipples were obscenely hard, and my areolas were very visible through the white fabric of my top.
And on the side of my neck was another mark… Enzo’s mark.
My hands were starting to shake, and I tightened my fingers around the cold, hard stone even more. I stayed there for a couple of minutes and then washed my hands, patted some cold water on my cheeks, dried the droplets off, and left.
Enzo was no longer sitting on the loveseat, but I saw him by the red velvet ropes that blocked off our private section with the rest of the club. He didn’t hide the fact that he was checking me out, and to see his eyes moving up and down my form had me shivering. When I was right beside him, he opened up my jacket and helped me put it on, then held his arm out for me to slip my hand through.
I was pressed right to his side when he leaned down and whispered against my ear, “I thought we could take this to a far more private place… one that won’t have anyone interrupting us.” He pulled back, and although there was this sexy arrogance in his gaze, a look on his face that told me he already knew what my answer was, he was genuinely giving me the option if I changed my mind.
“Let's go somewhere private,” I finally said and didn’t hide the need in my voice.
He didn’t smirk, didn’t act smug over my answer. He placed his fingers under my chin, tipped my head back, and leaned down to kiss me soundly. My toes were curled by the time he pulled back, and then he was leading me out of the VIP room and through the club. But before we cleared the thick throng of people, a few men in dark suits were coming up to Enzo and speaking with him. There was no tightening in Enzo’s shoulders, and his expression held an easy disposition, so it was clear he knew them.
He turned to me and leaned down to speak in my ear. “Give me a second, Bianca.” He kissed the side of my throat once more, right where he’d left the fresh mark. I was realizing Enzo enjoyed kissing the sensitive skin of my neck, probably knowing full well the effect it had on my body when he touched me.
He let go of my hand and faced the men fully, their expressions turning serious as Enzo spoke with them. Despite the loud bass surrounding us, it was as if there was nothing else around for these men. Their attention was wholly on Enzo, and the air of respect they had toward him was very clear.
These men are part of the mafia, too. That was obvious. Enzo is their boss… their capo.
The crush of dancing bodies around us crowded in, and I was pushed back slightly and away from Enzo. I could still see him, and he was close enough that if I pushed my way through I’d be right back by his side, but before I could make my way back to him, I felt a hand curl around my hip. I tensed and spun around, surprised to see Stephan standing in front of me. He still had the nerve to have his hand on my hip, and I went to step back, but he tightened his fingers against me as he leaned in.
“I thought you didn’t do clubs,” he said loudly to be heard over the music, his alcohol-laced breath causing my nose to tingle in disgust. He tried to pull me closer, and I struggled. “You bitches are all the same,” he sneered. Although it was deafeningly loud in the club, I could hear his anger clearly. “Always thinking you’re too good, isn’t that right?”
I was shocked at how strong he was. The flash of his annoyance and determination moved across his face. But before I could react—AKA kick him in the balls for thinking he had some kind of claim over me and for insulting me—there was motion beside me.
Everything happened so quickly I was left standing there frozen at what played out before me.
Enzo towered over Stephan, gripped him by the throat, and lifted him up so that only the toes of his shoes touched the ground. Stephan’s hands went to his neck as he tried prying Enzo’s fingers off, but he was no match for him.
And God… Enzo’s expression was so terrifyingly calm. The only outward signs of his anger were the slight flex of a muscle under his jaw and the way his forearm tensed as he held up Stephan. And then Enzo slammed his fist into Stephan’s face so hard I swore I heard bone crunch under the assault.