Chapter 7: Uninvited ghosts

Enzo stood on the upper balcony the next morning, phone pressed to his ear, listening to Rafael’s update with a darkening expression.

“The Rossis are mobilizing faster than expected,” Rafael said. “They’re not just coming for blood, they’re spreading word that Elena helped set up the hit at the wedding. The Vitale is staying suspiciously quiet. We think he might be playing both sides.”

“Fuck them,” Enzo growled. “Double the patrols. If any Rossi bastard gets within a kilometer of this villa, put a bullet in his skull. No warnings.”

He ended the call and gripped the railing hard. The war was escalating, and Elena was now public enemy number one in their eyes. Keeping her here was no longer just desire, it was necessary for her survival.

Downstairs in the sunlit living area, Elena was trying to distract herself with a sketchpad when the front doors opened. High heels clicked across the marble floors with familiar confidence.

A tall, stunning brunette in a short, tight, over revealing red dress sauntered in like she owned the place. Sophia. One of Enzo’s occasional past flings. Beautiful, vicious in bed, and even more vicious when she wanted something.

“Well, well,” Sophia purred, spotting Elena immediately. “So the rumors are true. The little Vitale princess is playing house in our villa.”

Elena slowly set down her sketchpad, eyes narrowing. “Our villa?”

Sophia laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. “Sweetheart, I’ve been warming Enzo’s bed on and off for two years. You think a kidnapped bride changes anything? He’ll fuck you out of curiosity, then come back to someone who actually knows how to handle a man like him.”

Elena stood up, heart pounding with a mix of anger and something uncomfortably close to jealousy. The image of Enzo with this woman. Touching her, fucking her. Burned in her mind.

“I didn’t ask to be here,” Elena said coldly. “But while I am, you might want to remember whose roof you’re standing under.”

Sophia stepped closer, towering in her heels. “You’re nothing but a temporary toy. A pawn in his game against the Rossis. Once this war settles, he’ll toss you aside. Men like Enzo don’t marry worthless girls. They use them and move on.”

The words hit harder than Elena wanted to admit. Her fists clenched at her sides.

“Get the fuck out,” Elena snapped.

Sophia smirked. “Make me, princess.”

The tension crackled between them. Elena took a step forward, ready to slap the smug look off the other woman’s face, when the front door slammed open again.

Enzo walked in, presence immediately filling the entire room like a storm. His sharp gaze took in the scene. Sophia’s provocative stance, Elena’s flushed cheeks and clenched fists.

“What the hell is this?” he demanded, voice low and dangerous.

Sophia immediately turned on the charm, sliding toward him. “Darling, I heard about the chaos and came to offer… comfort.” She trailed a manicured nail down his chest. “Like old times.”

Enzo caught her wrist, removing her hand with clear irritation. “You were never invited. Leave.”

“But Enzo-”

“I said leave.” His tone dropped to a deadly calm that made the air feel heavier. “Don’t make me repeat myself, Sophia. We both know how that ends.”

Sophia’s face twisted with jealousy and humiliation. She shot Elena a venomous glare. “You’ll regret this. Both of you.” She stormed out, heels clicking furiously until the door slammed behind her.

"Fucking slut."

Silence fell.

Enzo turned to Elena. She was breathing hard, arms crossed tightly over her chest. He could see the storm in her eyes, the jealousy she was trying desperately to hide.

“You are acting jealous,” he stated, a dark edge of satisfaction in his voice.

“I’m not,” Elena shot back too quickly. “I just don’t appreciate random whores walking in here like they own the place while I’m stuck as your fucking prisoner.”

Enzo moved closer, backing her up against the edge of the sofa. “Careful with that mouth, Elena. Sophia means nothing. She never did. Just a way to pass time before you crashed into my life like a goddamn grenade.”

Elena glared up at him, cheeks burning. “And how many other ‘ways to pass time’ are going to show up at your door?”

“None that matter.” He braced one hand beside her head, leaning in. “You think I’m playing games? The Rossis are out there calling you a traitor and a whore. Your father is probably negotiating with them behind your back. And you’re in here worried about who I used to fuck?”

He cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his intense gaze. “There’s only one woman I want under this roof. Only one woman driving me fucking insane every single day. You.”

Elena’s breath hitched. The raw possessiveness in his voice sent heat rushing through her body despite everything.

“I still despise you,” she whispered, but the words were losing their power.

Enzo’s thumb brushed her lower lip. “Good. Keep hating me. I love seeing you fool yourself.”

He stepped back before either of them could do something reckless, running a hand through his hair.

“Rafael is preparing a second safe house. We may need to move in the next few days if the Rossis keep pushing. Until then, you stay inside the villa walls. No arguments.”

Elena nodded stiffly, still reeling from the confrontation and his words.

As Enzo turned to leave, he paused at the doorway. “And Elena?”

She looked at him.

“Next time someone like Sophia shows up… you have my permission to deal her.”

A reluctant, tiny smirk tugged at her lips despite herself.

Enzo returned it with a dangerous smile of his own before disappearing down the hall.

Alone again, Elena sank onto the sofa, heart racing. She didn't want to admit she felt a bit jealous back there.

And the worst part was that she felt she was starting to feel something for this man.