Book 1: Chapter 114

Middle of the night, Saviano Estate

Enzo spent the rest of the day in his study, away from Carmen, away from everything. He needed time to think, to figure out his next course of action and how to handle Gabriella. 

Her stubbornness was going to be the death of him one day. 

By the time he came back to the room, Gabriella was fast asleep still tied up, from her puffy eyes, he could tell she had cried herself to sleep. He slowly untied the rope around her hand, laid her in bed properly, and tucked her in.

Enzo's eyes softened as he gazed at Gabriella's peaceful face, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. He brushed a strand of hair out of her face, his touch tender. "You look better this way," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Peaceful." 

He leaned forward, his lips brushing against her forehead in a soft kiss. 

Gabriella stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She gazed up at Enzo, her expression wary. It took