Chapter 28 (Enzo)

Last night was fucking incredible. After our wild kitchen romp, Aura and I ordered Chinese takeout and settled in to watch a movie. We spent hours just talking and laughing, enjoying each other's company. Then we had another round of slower, more tender sex on the couch. Watching Aura ride my cock until she came undone was a sight I'll never forget.

We slept late, waking up around ten. I stretch and roll over to look at Aura, who's smiling at me in the soft morning light.

"This feels so normal," she murmurs. "Like we're just a regular couple."

I chuckle. "Yeah, except for the whole jail cell situation."

Aura grins. "I can manage to ignore that part."

We both laugh, and I climb out of bed, stretching again. When I turn back, Aura's still smiling at me.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing," she says. "You just... wake up like a normal person."

I strike a heroic pose. "Yep, that's me. Just a regular old guy."

Aura nods, her smile widening. "Exactly."

I head to the bathroom to piss and brush my teeth. When I come back out, Aura's fallen back asleep. I decide to let her rest and make my way to the kitchen, feeling happier and more content than I have in years.

For a moment, I let myself forget about all the threats hanging over our heads. Tommaso, Ettore, Giacomo - they all fade into the background as I focus on this peaceful morning.

I take my time making breakfast and coffee, savoring every moment. I know it can't last. Sooner or later, we'll have to face the reality of our situation. The family's intentions for Aura as a sex slave loom over us like a dark cloud.

But for now, I push those thoughts aside and enjoy the simple pleasure of a quiet morning.

As I cook, my mind drifts back to Tommaso's unexpected visit. His involvement complicates things. Can I still trust him? Or will his loyalty to the family outweigh whatever affection he has for me? The uncertainty is eating at me.

When breakfast is ready, I load everything onto a tray and carry it to the bedroom. Aura's still asleep, looking peaceful and beautiful. I hate to wake her, but the smell of coffee does the job for me.

She stirs, blinking sleepily. "Mmm, what time is it?"

"Almost eleven," I tell her. "I made breakfast."

Aura sits up, then suddenly bolts out of bed. "Hold that thought!" she calls over her shoulder as she dashes to the bathroom.

I can't help but laugh. A few minutes later, she emerges with a sheepish grin.

"Let's pretend that didn't happen," she says.

I smirk. "What happened? I thought ladies didn't use the bathroom."

Aura rolls her eyes. "Shut up and give me my breakfast."

I place the tray on her lap and climb back into bed beside her. She takes a bite of eggs and moans appreciatively.

"This is so good," she says around a mouthful of food.

I raise an eyebrow. "It's the same thing I always make."

She shrugs. "Maybe it tastes better because we're eating it in bed. You know, where you thoroughly fucked me last night."

I grin wickedly. "Speaking of which, can you even walk today? I was pretty rough with you."

Aura huffs indignantly. "I'll have you know I'm perfectly capable of walking. Just because I haven't done it yet doesn't mean I can't."

"Uh huh," I tease. "Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart."

"I could get up right now if I wanted to," she insists.

"But you're not going to," I point out. "Because you can't."

Aura narrows her eyes. "I absolutely can. I'm just... savoring my breakfast."

"Sure, sure," I say, nodding sagely. "Whatever you need to tell yourself to preserve your dignity."

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Aura scoops up a bit of egg on her fork. "You know what? I think I will get up. Right after I do this."

She flings the egg at me, hitting me square in the chest. I gasp in mock outrage.

"Oh, it is on now," I growl playfully.

Aura squeals and tries to scramble away, but I grab her around the waist, pulling her close.

"You're going to pay for that," I murmur against her ear.

She turns her head, kissing me softly. "Later," she says. "Let me eat first."

I release her with a dramatic sigh. "Fine. But don't think I'll forget about this egregious assault."

Aura giggles. "Wouldn't dream of it."

As she finishes her breakfast, I sip my coffee and bask in the peaceful moment. It's a far cry from my usual mornings, which typically involve nursing a hangover or kicking out whatever random woman I brought home the night before.

I've never had someone I actually wanted to be around like this. Someone I could just sit in comfortable silence with, enjoying their presence. It's a novel feeling, and I find myself wishing it could last forever.

But I know better. Life - especially my life - doesn't work that way. There are always demands, always threats lurking just around the corner. And as much as I'd love to just stay here in this bubble with Aura, I'm not built for that kind of existence. I'd get restless eventually.

Still, a small part of me wants to try. To see if I could learn to slow down, to appreciate these quiet moments more often. But before I can pursue that train of thought any further, a loud knock at the door jolts me back to reality.

Aura's eyes go wide with fear. "Enzo?" she whispers.

"Get up," I order, leaping into action. "Now."

She scrambles out of bed, knocking the breakfast tray aside. Coffee spills across the sheets.

"Don't worry about that," I tell her. "Just move."

I rush to the living room, gathering up her clothes from last night. I toss them into her room. "Get dressed," I instruct. "Quickly."

Another impatient knock sounds at the door. Aura changes at lightning speed, handing me back the clean clothes she'd borrowed. I give her a quick kiss before shutting and locking the door to her room.

My stomach twists as I turn the key. I hate locking her up like this, but I need to keep her safe.

I open the front door to find Ettore standing there, arms crossed and looking annoyed.

"About fucking time," he grumbles. "Giacomo sent me. We gotta move the girl."

My blood runs cold. "What? Now?"

Ettore nods. "Boss wants to see her. Let's go."

"It's fucking morning," I protest. "People will see."

He shrugs. "It's a mafia neighborhood. No one's gonna say shit."

I clench my jaw, knowing I have no choice but to go along with this. "Fine. Give me a minute."

I grab some rope and a pillowcase from the kitchen, then unlock Aura's door. Ettore barges past me.

"Get up, bitch," he snarls.

Aura looks at me, her eyes wide and scared. I give her a subtle nod, silently urging her to comply.

"Turn around," I tell her gently.

She does, and Ettore roughly ties her wrists behind her back. He leans in close, his breath hot on her ear. "Giacomo's gonna like you," he whispers.

I have to fight the urge to punch him in the face.

Ettore shoves Aura out of the room. She stumbles, nearly falling. I start to reach for her, but she gives me a slight shake of her head. Smart girl.

"Time to go see your fucking owner," Ettore sneers. He looks at me. "Cover her head."

I pull the pillowcase over Aura's head, hating every second of this. "Let's just get this over with," I mutter.

Ettore pushes Aura forward roughly. My fists clench at my sides, fury building with each step. As we walk out, I grab my gun from the kitchen counter. Just in case.

We make our way to the elevator, Aura stumbling slightly with the bag over her head.