Vicious Enzo: A College Bully Romance (Verona Academy Book 2)

by Melinda Terranova

  “I gave it back,” my voice gets lost in my throat.

  He leans forward, not catching what I said. “Sorry?” He tilts his head to the side, his brow puckers in confusion.

  “I gave it back,” I say louder than intended, granting me a sly smirk from him.

  “And why would you do that?” He straightens up, his hands in his pockets.

  “Obviously because I didn’t want it.” My tone implies that he’s irritating me when the truth is quite the opposite.

  “Well, aren’t you the little martyr.” He looks at me, his eyes are ablaze with resentment and dark sensuality that licks me raw.

  “I have to get home.” I turn my back to him and attempt to open the door when his hand flies up and stops it from opening. I can feel his body mere inches behind me, doing what it always does, making my heart bounce around erratically.

  “Why are you here?” I can smell the alcohol on him as his warm breath fans my neck.

  “I came for Amber.” Not entirely a lie.

  “I call bullshit,” he whispers.

  “I have to go, Enzo.” I stiffen as his fingers touch the back of my neck.

  He presses his fingernail into my skin, the pressure almost painful, and trails it down until he hits the material of my dress. “Always ready to run away, freshman.”

  I turn my head to look over my shoulder at him and notice the yellowing of old bruises across his high cheekbone. “Please, move your hand.”

  He stares at me for a moment, his face composed as he studies me. “I’m going to need a penny.” He licks his lips, knowing exactly what he is doing to me with that little move.

  I inwardly groan as I turn further around to stare at his perfect face. “Penny for your thoughts,” I barely whisper. Our eyes are locked in a dangerous push and pull dance, his full of bitterness, and I’m one hundred percent sure, mine are full of regret.

  He leans in until his lips are touching my ear. “I’m going to ruin you and enjoy every fucking minute.” Each word holds weight and it sits heavy on my chest.

  Too late, you already have.

  He straightens up and I continue holding his gaze, I won’t back down and look away first, even if that was a threat. He steps away from me, his drunken state more obvious now he has nothing to lean on to hold himself steady, and he turns on his heels and saunters across the lawn back up to the stairs.

  “Fuck you, Enzo,” I say under my breath as I climb into my car and head back home.

  ***

  Two hours of sleep, when I say sleep, I mean tossing and turning in my bed all night thinking about him and how broken and damaged he looked. It’s been two weeks since his father’s funeral. Two weeks of not being able to get him out of my head. His heart must be in shreds, losing the man who held his whole world on a short leash. and ruled him with an iron fist. On one hand, he must feel relieved to finally be free of his father, and on the other hand, he must be reeling in self-destruction. My heart ached to see him that night, the glimpses of torment behind his steel façade, and the ever-present threat of his demons about to take hold.

  I wanted to hold him, to comfort him and make him forget all his troubles. But he needs to hurt, he needs to feel this pain and ride the wave of grief before he can accept any comfort from me. Even after he said he would ruin me, it hasn’t changed my mind of going back to study at Verona this semester. I can’t allow a group of bullies to dictate my future. I’ll face them with new strength and determination. I will not let the Russo cousins intimidate me again.

  I’m going to need buckets of coffee to get through my full shift today. After I yawn my way through the morning rush, I manage to get a ten-minute break and escape out the back to eat my pastry. Since Justin quit after his accident, I’ve been left with working all the open to close shifts. I pull out my phone and see a text from Amber asking what I’m up to. I text her back when the door chime rings alerting me to a customer.

  I push through the divider and stop in my tracks. “Amber, what are you doing here?” I squeal and launch myself at her.

  “I wanted to surprise you.” She hugs me back.

  “Did you come alone?” I look out the glass doors.

  “Yes, he’s not here and I haven’t been followed. Well, I don’t think I have?” She turns and strides back out the door looking up and down the street.

  “They’re still keeping you under lock and key?” I join her outside and start to collect the plates and mugs left from the customers.

  “They’re kind of preoccupied with finding who killed Salvatore, so I thought what better time than now to make my great escape.” She smiles at me.

  “I’m so glad you did. You can be my little hostage.” I make my way to the kitchen out the back.

  “Do you work here all by yourself?” Amber looks around at all the baking ovens, mixers, and other equipment.

  “I run the shop during the day, the bakers come in around two in the morning and leave when I arrive. Why?” I stack the dishes in the dishwasher and run them through a cycle.

  “I thought maybe you could get someone to cover for you and get the rest of the day off?” She shrugs.

  “I wish,” I sigh.

  “What time do you finish?” She looks at me in hope.

  “I can close up early if we’re not busy. Say, about two.” I bend down and tie up the garbage bag, ready to take it out.

  “Here, let me help you. I’ll stay until you finish your shift.” She grabs the garbage bag out of my hands and looks at me, then around the kitchen.

  “Out that door, down the alley and to the right.” I point behind her.

  “On it.” She turns and drags the garbage bag outside.

  ***

  Amber and I head to Jaymin’s after going home and introducing her to my mom. Thank goodness my dad is away for business, probably ruining someone else’s life. I’m not sure how he would handle having a mafia family member staying in his home.

  “Amber, want some more curly fries?” Banks calls over the music vibrating through the place.

  “Hell yeah,” she calls after him.

  My friends have welcomed her like one of their own, which isn’t surprising at all, they’re a laid back, easy-going bunch. I love them all to death and it looks like Amber may feel the same way, after spending a few hours with them.

  “I can see why you escaped back home. It’s all so easy and relaxing here. I think I want to move here with you, and not try to entice you back to Verona.” She nudges me in the arm.

  I look at each of my friends, all different, yet all here for one another through thick or thin. I know I need to leave my little comfort zone again, the only thing I’ll miss is this crazy bunch. “Wishful thinking, could you imagine your cousin’s faces?” I laugh at the thought, even though it would not be a laughing matter. Those assholes would drag her back by the hair if they had to.

  “They’re such a drag.” Amber rolls her eyes and takes a long drink of her soda.

  “Hey Sum, when will you be leaving?” Emma chimes in.

  “I think next week, l have been emailed all the work to catch up on, and as long as I hand everything in, I can join classes mid-term.” I look at Amber who’s grinning at me like she’s just won the lottery.

  “You’ll be back in my dorm room, won’t you?” She claps her hands together and bounces up and down on her chair.

  “Do I have a choice?” I roll my eyes at her.

  “Nope.” She shakes her head at me in smugness.

  “I’m coming for slumber parties,” Emma holds her hand up.

  “Yes, come every weekend if you can,” Amber high fives her.

  “Can I come watch?” Banks leans forward and waggles his eyebrows.

  “Watch what?” Emma looks at him in confusion.

  “I don’t know. Girly slumber party shit.” He shrugs.

  “Seriously, dude?” Ryan laughs and steals my drink, throwing it back in one go.

  “Hey, that was mine. Get your own next time.”
I nudge his arm with my elbow. Things have been good between us these last couple of weeks, staying in the friend zone has done wonders for both of us.

  “I’ll get you another one. Amber, do you need a drink?” He stands and pulls his phone out of his front pocket.

  “That would be great, thanks.” She grins up at him. “You know, if I wasn’t seeing Stephan, I’d totally tap that ass,” she whispers to me, as Ryan makes his way to the bar.

  “I can’t take you anywhere,” I giggle and watch the humor drain from her face.

  I follow her line of sight to be greeted by the Russo cousins, Jake, Stephan, and some guy I’ve not met. What. In. The. Actual. Fuck.

  “Fuck me,” she breathes, rolling her eyes.

  “What?” I don’t even know how to finish my sentence before my eyes, as always, land on him. He walks in front with Dante beside him, cocky as all shit, dressed casually in black jeans and a tight, black sweater, the sleeves pulled up at his elbows to reveal his muscular forearms. His hair sits in a mess and his eyes roam the room like he’s looking for his next victim. If only he didn’t look like my next demise.

  I fidget in my seat as they walk through the crowd and surround our table like they own the place. I look at Banks, who is lounging back in his chair, not giving two fucks that these idiots have surrounded us.

  “Are you kidding me?” Amber glares at Enzo.

  “Baby cousin, you can’t just up and leave and think no one will notice.” Luca wraps his arms around Amber’s shoulders and gives her a big kiss on the cheek.

  “Get off me.” She pushes at him.

  “Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Luca teases.

  “No.” She deadpans.

  “Come on, not even your little lover boy?” Luca ruffles Stephan’s hair like they’re best mates.

  Stephan swats at Luca’s arm when Amber stands, grabs Stephan’s hand, and drags him to sit next to her. I can see her glaring at him, giving him ‘what the fuck’ eyes. He leans in and whispers something into her ear, making her giggle like a little schoolgirl.

  It makes me want to puke.

  I can feel Enzo’s gaze on me, radiating heat that could burn me, and making my skin tingle. I keep my eyes on the table centerpiece trying to ignore their movements as they gather chairs from other tables and join our little party. Luca, Dante, and the other guy, who hasn’t been introduced yet, sit on the opposite side of the table. Jake takes a seat to my right, at the head of the table, and Enzo fucking sits right beside me, making Amber move her chair over to squeeze in. His arm brushes mine and I feel like I’m in high school again, my damned butterflies running rampant in my stomach.

  I turn my accusatory glare at Jake, and he grins at me like this is the most normal gathering of friends on the planet. “What are you doing here?”

  “What kind of greeting is that? Nice to see you too.” He leans his elbows on the table, not a care in the world.

  My eyes scan the group and I notice Dante, sitting a little more rigid than the others when his eyes capture the arrival of Ryan. I look up at Ryan, his frown coming to rest on Enzo, instantly recognizing him. My heart all but stops beating as Ryan places my drink in front of me and hands me Ambers to pass down to her.

  “Here, man, have this seat,” Jake offers and jumps up to find another chair behind him to use. Always the chivalrous one.

  “Thanks.” Ryan slowly lowers himself into the chair and looks at me for answers.

  I shrug in response. The nervous tension in me brewing and about to tumble out of my mouth.

  “I’ll grab the first round of drinks,” Dante stands and makes his way to the bar.

  Luca and the other guy make small talk with Emma and Banks. Jake and Ryan have found mutual interests to chat about and Amber, and Stephan, are all lovey-dovey and not having a care in the world for their PDA. Which leaves me and Enzo, sitting next to each other, the tense silence pulsating between us.

  He smells so fucking good, his masculine cologne bringing back memories and making me bloom crimson. I take a sip of my drink and glance at Emma, who is grinning from ear to ear, staring between Enzo, and me.

  I dare to glance at him from the corner of my eye and find him scrolling on his phone, his hand decorated with a new tattoo, this one spelling out death. He turns and looks at me lazily, his eyes set deep and his shoulders hunched, like the weight of his world resting on him is too much. He returns his attention to his phone, ignoring me.

  Well, buddy, I am not speaking to you first. I grab my purse and stand, the chair nearly tipping over in my haste. Ryan grabs my hand as I try to escape.

  “Are you good?” He asks quietly, his eyes full of concern and confusion.

  “I’m good, just need some air. It’s a bit stale here.” I pull my hand away from him and make my way to the bar. My annoyance getting the better of me.

  I lean against the bar at the furthest possible point, putting distance between me and the table of misfits. I close my eyes and inhale for a beat before I’m interrupted.

  “Miss me?” Dante’s familiar voice sends shivers down my spine.

  I look up at him and watch his features as they transform from serious to mischievous in a second. “Like a hole in the head.” I fake a grin.

  “Aww don’t hurt my feelings now, blondie,” he chuckles.

  “I didn’t think you could have feelings.” I pick up the drinks coaster and twirl it in my fingers.

  “I do, they’re just usually the terrible kind.” He winks at me.

  “Why are you all here?” I fold the coaster in half, taking my frustration out on the thick cardboard.

  “Why the fuck not?” He pays the bartender for the drinks just delivered. “Here.” He slides a milky, caramel-colored shot toward me.

  “What’s that for?” I eye him suspiciously.

  “Don’t look at me like I have two heads. Drink the damned drink and be appreciative I’m not causing you any grief.”

  I continue to stare at him.

  “Loosen up, freshman. Your knight in dull, black armor is watching you.” He raises his eyebrows and leans in toward me. “He hasn’t been himself since you left him, on the curb, with his dick in his hands.”

  I take the shot glass and throw it back before I allow myself to say something stupid.

  “That a girl,” he smirks, before picking up a shot glass and drinking it without taking his eyes off mine.

  “When did you all become best friends?” I narrow my eyes at him, knowing he will answer me with some sarcastic comeback.

  “When we recruited Jake’s cousin Mitch into the family business. But shh, don’t tell anyone.” He places his pointer finger over his lips.

  I swallow the memory of what these cousins are capable of, the killings and the torture, and hope Jake hasn’t got himself mixed up in their business as well.

  As though he can read my thoughts, Dante winks at me. “Don’t worry, your goody-two-shoes friend, Jake, is only here by association. He and Enzo have a mutual love of cars.”

  I glance over at the table. Enzo is still scrolling his phone, his face wears a look of pure, lethal animosity.

  “As for your little fuckboy, Ryan, I’m surprised Enzo hasn’t pummelled his face in yet, after that photo of the two of you.” Dante looks at me with distaste.

  “We’re just friends and what fucking photo?” I grit my teeth in annoyance.

  “I don’t tell secrets,” he smirks throwing fuel on the fire, grabs his tray of drinks and saunters back to everyone.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Enzo

  The exhaustion of the last few weeks, on top of being on my best fucking behavior tonight, and not ramming fuckboys face into the table repeatedly, is wearing on my nerves. According to Amber, fuckboy and Summer are only friends and have not touched one another since she came back to her hometown. Little fucker better have kept his hands to himself. The last one only lost a finger, this time I wouldn’t be so forgiving.

  I sit in seething silence
and drown out the conversations of everyone around me, the absence of her next to me making me want to chase after her and punish her in devious ways. To hear her cries of pleasure and pain as she tries to run from me again. I won’t let her out of my sight, until I’m satisfied I have given her what she deserves, for walking away from me. For making me an even more vindictive prick than I was before her.

  Someone’s voice interrupts my thoughts and I turn to see it belongs to fuckboy. He is turned in his seat, looking for her in the crowded space. Like fuck, I’m going to let him find her, and before he can make a move, I stand abruptly and stalk toward the bar, gaining the eyes of the patrons as I glare at them to move the fuck out of my way. My phone vibrates in my pocket, I know it’s either Luca, or Dante, warning me not to make a scene, but it wouldn’t be a night out without a little Enzo entertainment.

  I stride up to the bar and wait for the bartender to serve me. I know she’s at the other end, I can feel her icy gaze as it pierces my skin. I slowly turn my head and narrow my eyes as I take in her scowl. It’s directed at me, and I wonder what the hell Dante said to her. My jaw twitched in amusement, I want to wipe that scowl off her face, and watch her eyes glass over as she loses herself beneath me. I wink at her and this garners a cute little flip of her middle finger. Good. She’s extra pissed, it should be easier to break her now.

  I stalk toward her, trapping her in the corner of the bar and back wall, she juts her chin out in defiance, clearly not fazed by who may be watching our little exchange.

  “What’s new, freshman?” I grant her a wolfish smirk, with a promise to bite if she so pleases.

  “What’s new? How about you tell me?” Her eyes dart to the table where everyone is seated, suspicion leaking from every syllable.

  “Just making new friends. Don’t you know that everyone wants to be in the cool group.” I wink at her in amusement.

  “What photo have you got of me?” She crosses her arms under her breasts, lifting them in the process, and giving me a bird’s eye view of her cleavage.