Screwed

ENZO

I feel so angry at myself, and most especially at the woman sitting beside me with legs crossed, her thighs on full display.

I glanced at her ridiculously short dress. She was doing this on purpose.

“Can you just sit properly?” I snapped. My hands gripped the steering wheel more than necessary.

“This is how I sit, she replied innocently. I glared at her.

“Listen Sofia, last night was a mistake, it’s never going to happen again,” I said. I glanced at her briefly before turning my attention back to the road.

“You keep calling it a mistake like you actually believe it, yourself.”

I clenched my jaw and slammed on the brakes.

The car jolted to a stop, and she yelped beside me.

Before she could say another word, I turned toward her, my temper finally snapping.

I grabbed her by the neck, and held her against the seat.

“Listen to me, whore. You are not going to mess up my life.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

I leaned closer, “Luca is a smart man. He notices everything. And if he ever finds out what happened between us, neither of us will walk away from it untouched,” I said coldly.

“C...can you tell him to act right, then?” she asked.

I released her.

“Tell him yourself,” I replied, putting the car back into gear.

.

“I know it’s a contract, but we can at least make it work. Talk to him, please, and I’ll forget about last night,” she begged.

I glanced at her for a moment, and despite myself, I felt a little pity for her.

Because Luca wasn't going to change.

He was a flirt. Always had been. A contract wasn't going to suddenly turn him into the perfect husband.

“I’ll try,” I told her.

Then my eyes dropped to her dress.

“Let’s start by dragging that damn dress down.”

She followed my gaze, then chuckled as she adjusted it.

I shook my head and focused on the road again.

For now, at least, I'd managed to get her to calm down.

But the Lord knew how long that would last.

         We arrived at the team facility, and I turned toward Sofia.

“Behave, and don’t talk to anyone,” I said.

“I’m a billionaire’s fiancée. Of course, I’m media-trained,” she replied.

I nodded.

Then I stepped out of the car, my bag in my hand. Nora, my manager, immediately approached me.

“Good morning, Mr. Enzo,” she greeted, taking my bag from me.

Just then, Sofia stepped out of the car, putting on her sunglasses.

“Enzo! Over here!”

“Enzo, how are you feeling about tomorrow’s game?”

“Enzo! One question!”

These damn reporters.

That was the part I hated most about my career.

“Enzo, who’s she?” one of the reporters asked as Sofia stepped beside me.

“Is that Luca Verri's  fiancée?”

I felt Sofia move closer.

“Stay close,” I muttered.

“I thought you didn’t want me near you.”

My jaw tightened.

“Now isn’t the time.”

I placed one hand lightly against her back and guided her through the entrance, with Nora following closely behind us.

We entered the lobby, where my teammates were already gathered with several members of the staff.

“Mr. Enzo, you’re late,” Nora said.

“I know,” I replied, letting go of Sofia’s back.

“And why are you traveling with your cousin’s fiancée?” Nora asked.

“Because I’m family,” Sofia replied before I could answer.

Good.

At least she knew how to handle herself.

“Enzo!”

I looked up.

Marcus.

My most annoying teammate.

“Wassup, dude?” he asked, holding out his hand.

We shared a firm handshake.

Then he noticed Sofia.

“And who’s this beautiful lady?”

“She’s Luca’s fiancée,” I replied.

“I’m Sofia. I have a name,” she countered.

Marcus grinned.

"I like her.”

My jaw clenched.

“Watch your mouth, Marcus.”

He laughed.

“I’ll catch you later.”

He walked away, but not before giving Sofia another glance.

I watched him disappear into the crowd.

Something about the look bothered me.

Maybe it was nothing.

Maybe I was just on edge.

“Sir, we’ll be departing in less than ten minutes. Do you want to go change?” Nora asked.

I knew exactly what she meant.

She wanted me to change into my travel clothes before we left.

“No,” I said simply.

She nodded and walked away.

“You fuck her too?”

I turned slowly toward Sofia.

“Can’t you close that damn mouth of yours?”

She smiled beneath her sunglasses.

“You seemed to like it wide open yesterday,” she murmured.

My nostrils flared.

There she goes again.

I looked around the lobby.

My Teammates were everywhere.

And Sofia was determined to test every last ounce of my patience.

I lowered my voice.

“Keep pushing me, Sofia.”

She tilted her head.

“Or what?”

I stared at her.

That question.

That fucking question.

If she wasn't my cousin's fiancée, I didn't know how much longer I could keep pretending she wasn't getting under my skin.

But she was Luca's.

And that meant there were lines I couldn't cross again.

No matter how badly she wanted me to.

           “So this is Chicago,” Sofia said. The moment we landed. 

“Unfortunately.”

She turned toward me. “You don’t like it?”

“I’ve played here enough times to know better than to get excited about it.”

“I heard the Chicago Bulls are your team’s weak point. You’ve never beaten them.”

I clenched my jaw.

“That changes today.”

“Mr. Enzo.”

Nora interrupted.

“The team buses are already waiting. Hotel first. You have lunch with the team, then your scheduled treatment. Shoot around is at four.”

She glanced at Sofia.

“You’ll be staying at the team hotel?”

Sofia opened her mouth to answer.

“With me,” I said before she could.

Nora stared at me for a moment.

“Okay, sir.”

She walked away.

“We shouldn’t be staying in the same hotel, Enzo,” Sofia said the moment Nora was out of earshot.

“I hate it too.”

I looked around the airport entrance before lowering my voice.

“But don't forget who we are behind all of this. We have enemies lurking around. I need to keep my eyes on you.”

A sweet smile slowly spread across her face.

“You certainly will.”

She bit her lip.

I narrowed my eyes.

“Get over yourself.”

Her smile only grew.

“We’re not doing this again.”

“We shall see, Enzo.”

I stared at her.

God, I hated her.

My phone dinged.

I glanced at it.

A message from an unknown number.

But the words staring back at me were the last thing I expected.

I know what you did.

I'm screwed.