Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
She sucks in deep breaths while still keeping the paper towels pressed to my side.
“I just need to close up the wound, then we can sit down and talk. Okay?”
She nods again, her eyes still wide on me.
I let go of her chin and place my hand over hers. “You can let go. I’m not going to bleed out.”
Her eyebrows pull together in the same heartbreaking expression she had a few minutes ago.
She removes her hand from beneath mine, and I quickly walk to the island. I keep my wounded side turned away from her, as I pick up the needle and thread.
Clenching my jaw, I push the needle through my skin. The tiny pricks don’t hurt as much as removing the bullet did, and when I’m finally done, I go to the sink to wash the blood off my hands. When I turn around, Jenna’s still rooted to the spot where I left her.
I take another antiseptic wipe from the kit and clean around the wound before sticking a bandage over the site.
Gathering all the bloody materials, I throw them in the trash, then pick up my shirt, vest, and jacket.
Done, I meet Jenna’s eyes. “Hi.”
Her lips part, but no sound comes out. Instead, she shakes her head at me, giving me an incredulous look while throwing her arms open in a what-the-hell gesture.
So much for easing her into your world. Good job, fucking things up, Enzo.
Chapter 14
JENNA
To say I’m shocked is the understatement of the year.
When I heard noises and came down to the kitchen, the last thing I expected to see was Mr. Oliveira wounded and bleeding.
I’m so rattled that I can’t focus on anything long enough to be of any help to him. So instead, I just stare as he cleans the mess on the island.
I take in the tattoos covering his chest and arms. He also has ink all over his back, but I can’t remember what the tattoo looks like.
The horned beast on his chest screams of evil and violence, and there are battles between angels descending from clouds and demons rising up out of flames on both his arms.
The horned beast must be the devil.
Seeing Mr. Oliveira like this confuses me a lot because it feels like I’m staring at a different person from the one I got to know at the gas station.
Only when a bandage covers the wound on his side, and he picks up his shirt and jacket, do I lift my eyes to his face.
“Hi,” he says, as if none of this is weird.
Hi?
Seriously?
I gesture at him, silently asking what’s going on, but knowing he won’t understand, I dart forward and grab the notepad and pencil.
Mr. Oliveira comes closer to read what I’m writing, and I’m highly aware that he’s shirtless.
Gosh, I thought I’d never see him again, but he’s here!
What are you doing here? You should go to the hospital.
“I’m fine,” he says again, and I shake my head.
I don’t like one bit that he’s hurt.
No, you’re not. Stop saying that!
He takes hold of my arm and leans a little down to catch my eyes. “I’m not going to the hospital, so drop the subject. As for your other question…” He lets go of my arm and places his hand on the side of my neck. “I’m Enzo.”
What?
I gasp, and for the second time tonight, I’m shocked out of my mind. For a moment, I can only gape at him, then I start writing fast.
You’re my employer? Why didn’t Cassia tell me? Where have you been?
“Yes. I wanted you to get settled, and I’ve been around.”
I tilt my head back to meet his eyes, and as I stare at him, it sinks in that Mr. Oliveira is Enzo, the person who’s responsible for all the wonderful changes in my life.
I missed you.
I’m just about to hug him out of pure thankfulness and because I’m so happy to see him again, when I hear a commotion at the front door.
“Enzo!” A man calls out, and when not one, but three men appear in the doorway, I shrink back.
“Foda-se,” Enzo mutters. “What are you doing here?”
“Move, so I can get inside,” I hear Cassia say.
The men step forward, and I quickly wrap my arms around my middle and bow my head, my hair falling like a curtain around my face.
“Jesus,” Cassia snaps, and the next moment she wraps her arm around my shoulders. “You’re all scaring her. Get out!”
Enzo takes hold of my arm and pulls me away from Cassia and right into his chest, then he growls, “You can all leave.”
I feel the heat of his skin, and my brain short-circuits. The only bare chests I’ve ever seen were on TV, and none of them looked anything like Enzo’s
“We just wanted to make sure you’re okay,” one of the men says.