“That would be great,” I said. “Thank you.”
He led us to the doors leading onto the observation deck. Enzo took my hand and moved ahead of me, leading me to the Eastern point. He pulled me around to his front and banded his arms around my waist, dropping his chin on my shoulder as we stared at the city lights. “What do you think?”
“I love it, thank you.”
“I knew how badly you wanted to come up here, so I made a few calls.”
“I can’t believe you did all this for me. It’s perfect.” A ball of emotion lodged in my throat.
“There isn’t much I wouldn’t do you for you, Gattina, you know that, right?”
“I know.”
“I may not always be able to tell you what I’m feeling or thinking, but I’ll always try, Nora. I want you to know that.”
Silence drifted over us as we enjoyed the moment.
“What are you thinking right now?” I eventually whispered.
“I’m thinking that one day, I’ll bring you back here and ask you to be mine forever.”
My heart raced wildly in my chest as I imagined him on one knee before me. I wanted that one day.
God, I wanted it so much.
“What are you thinking?” Enzo ran his lips along my jaw before stealing a kiss.
“I’m thinking that one day,” I tilted my face and kissed him back. “I’ll say yes.”
Matteo
“So how was the Big Apple? Did you manage to do any sightseeing?”
“Fuck off.” Enzo grumbled.
“What? It’s a legit question.” I chuckled. “Let me guess, you did nothing but sightseeing… Nora was so pumped about the trip.”
“She was pumped… a lot.” The smug fucker smirked, and I shook my head.
“Did you just make a joke? Fuck, man, I’m going to need to check for your balls because that girl has you all—”
“We saw the sights. I made her come twice on the trip to Ellis Island.”
I almost choked on my own breath. “I bet the other passengers loved that.”
“Hired a private boat.”
“Of course you did.”
“If it’s good enough for Nic.” He shrugged.
“I’m happy for you, man, you two deserved to come out on top.” Silence settled between us.
We were in my truck on the way to Providence to see Zander DiMarco. Things were still tense after his bar got hit by Enzo’s half-brother. Zander wanted out, but you didn’t get out of a deal with the Family. It didn’t work like that. And he needed a little reminder of that fact.
Since Enzo had spent time up there with Gino, Nicco had asked us to go try and broker some peace. I wasn’t sure Enzo was the man for the job, but he didn’t seem to care, all too happy to follow orders and get the job done.
“She’s good for you,” I said.
He was softer around the edges, we all saw it. He was still Enzo—the love of a good woman didn’t change that—but he was different.
My chest tightened, but I stuffed those memories down. It had been months and months since I’d spent one amazing night with a red-haired, green-eyed angel. Caitlin. If that was even her real name.
We’d been in Providence and there had been a bad storm. I’d stumbled across a girl being threatened in a dark alley… and well, one thing led to another and I’d spent the night at her place. It was the best sex I’d ever had. But when I’d finally plucked up the courage to drive back down there and track her down, she was gone.
And I went back to my life without the Irish beauty who had marked my soul.
Enzo’s cell phone started ringing, but he took one look at the number and ignored it.
“Who is that?”
“Beats me.” He shrugged.
It immediately started ringing again.
“Maybe you should answer it. It could be important.”
He plucked the thing out of the center console and barked, “Yeah?”
I smirked. He was such a grumpy asshole still. I guess there were some things the love of a good woman couldn’t change.
“What? Yeah, okay. We’re on our way.” He hung up and grumbled, “Fuck.”
“What is it?”
“When I was down here with Gino, I helped one of Zander’s girls out. I think that fucker was hurting her.”
“What?”
“Yeah, I don’t know for sure what went down. But I gave her my number in case she ever needed help.”
“That was her?”
“No, that was the hospital.”
“Fuck,” I breathed. “Is she okay?”
“They didn’t say much, but she specifically asked for me.”
“She’s at Providence General?”
“No, she’s at County in Pawtucket. So we’re going to have to make a detour.”
“Sure, man. Whatever you need.” If there was one thing I hated, it was men who beat women.
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at the hospital. A nurse directed us to the correct bay and Enzo went off to chat with another nurse. The place was a hive of activity as staff came and went, treating patients. I’d never much liked these places because they usually ended in bad news.
“She’s down here.” Enzo beckoned me over and we went down another hall. “Bay five.” He grabbed the curtain and slipped inside.
“You came,” a voice said.
“Yeah, I brought a friend with me. Is it okay if he—”
“Sure, I guess.”
I went inside the small bay and my heart damn near exploded in my chest.
“You.”
“I-I don’t understand,” I croaked, feeling myself grow hot all over.
“Wait, a minute,” Enzo frowned. “You two know each other? But how?”
He was drilling holes into my face, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the woman lying in bed. Her face was littered with bruises and she had finger marks around her neck.
“Matteo?” Enzo gripped my shoulder as my knees went weak.
“Caitlin?” The word barely got out over the lump in my throat.
It was her.
The girl from that night.
She was one of Zander’s girls?
A stripper?
It couldn’t be.
Yet, Enzo knew her. He’d helped her. And she’d called him.
What the fuck was going on?
* * *
Thanks for reading.
The Verona Legacy continues with Matteo’s story, coming this summer. Available for pre-order now.
Playlist
Broken – Isack Danielson
You Should Be Sad – Halsey
Heartless – Dermot Kennedy
Heartless – The Weeknd
Ludens – Bring Me the Horizon
Throne – Bring Me the Horizon
I’m Ready – Sam Smith, Demi Levato
Mad At You – Noah Cyrus, Gallant
End of All Days – Thirty Second to Mars
Scars – James Bay
Life’s A Mess – Juice WRLD ft. Halsey
Die For Me – Post Malone ft. Halsey, Future
Someone to You – BANNNERS
I Have Questions – Camila Cabello
Lie to Me – Five Seconds of Summer, Julia Michaels
Hurts Like Hell – Fleurie
Sacrifice – Black Atlas ft. Jessie Reyez
Exile – Taylor Swift ft. Bon Iver
Wrong Direction – Hailee Steinfield
Stone – Jaymes Young
Hurricane – Thirty Seconds to Mars
Still Don’t Know My Name – Labrinth
Prisoner – Miley Cyrus ft. Dua Lipa
Out of This World – Bush
Heaven – Julia Michaels
Secret Love Song – Little Mix ft. Jason Derulo
Author’s Note
Oh Enzo, my dark and dangerous mafioso.
I always knew this couple would break… and break me they did. I hope you enjoyed th
eir push and pull as much as I enjoyed writing it.
As always, a huge thank you to my team – for keeping me sane, now more than ever. To Darlene and Athena for proofreading the story at the drop of a hat. To my promo team and my readers / spoiler groups – your enthusiasm and support for my characters and stories makes it all worthwhile. To Give Me Books for always organizing yet another book promotion.
And finally, to the bloggers, reviewers, and bookstagrammers who continue to support me, without you I wouldn’t get to do this, so thank you. THANK YOU!
I can’t wait to bring you more stories in the Verona Legacy world.
* * *
Until next time,
L A xo
About the Author
Angsty. Edgy. Addictive Romance
* * *
Author of mature young adult and new adult novels, L A is happiest writing the kind of books she loves to read: addictive stories full of teenage angst, tension, twists and turns.
* * *
Home is a small town in the middle of England where she currently juggles being a full-time writer with being a mother/referee to two little people. In her spare time (and when she’s not camped out in front of the laptop) you’ll most likely find L A immersed in a book, escaping the chaos that is life.
* * *
L A loves connecting with readers. The best places to find her are:
www.lacotton.com
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Also by L. A. Cotton
Black Hearts Still Beat
Rush: The Beginning
Rise: The Interlude
Rule: The Finale
Ruin: Levi Hunter's Story
Chastity Falls
Loyalty and Lies
Salvation and Secrets
Tribulation and Truths
Affliction
Redemption and Regrets
Penance and Promises
Absolution
Fate's Love
Fate's Love
Love's Spark
Liar Liar
Liar Liar
Truth or Dare
Rixon High
Off-Limits (Coming Soon)
Rixon Raiders
The Trouble With You
The Game You Play
The Harder You Fall
The Endgame Is You
Steinbeck University
Trick or Treat
The Maverick Defense Series
Deliverance
The Wicked Bay Series
Wicked Bay: Part 1
Wicked Bay: Part 2
Verona Legacy
Prince of Hearts: Nicco & Ari Duet #1
King of Souls: Nicco & Ari Duet #2
Villain of Secrets
Savior of Regrets (Coming Soon)
Wicked Bay
Wicked Beginnings
Wicked Rules
Wicked Lies
Wicked Games
Wicked Needs
Wicked Surprise
Wicked Hearts
Wicked Promises
Wicked Truths
Wicked Forever
Standalone
Lucky Penny
Chastity Falls: Box Set
Rixon Raiders (The Collection)
Black Hearts Still Beat: Eva and Rafe's Trilogy
On The Rebound
Rock
Watch for more at L. A. Cotton’s site.