16. Enzo

16

ENZO

A fter taking Gabriella home and tucking her in, I return to the office. I’d like to think that she just has a stomach bug and will be fine by tomorrow. The idea that it could be something more serious is silly. She’s young, healthy and strong. However, I’m also not stupid. We’ve been extremely careless when it comes to all the sex we’ve been having lately. But, if I run the numbers, it takes me back to our first night together. And I vividly recall removing that defective condom.

Shit. I didn’t mention anything to her at the time because I’d convinced myself everything was fine. But what if it isn’t? What if she got pregnant and is now carrying my child?

Maybe the thought should scare me but, funnily enough, I find myself having the exact opposite reaction of fear. The idea of Bri carrying my baby makes me a little giddy. The twisted side of me knows it would cement us together for the rest of our lives because I plan on being in my child’s life in every possible way. Hers, too, if I’m lucky.

Staring out the window, unable to concentrate, I think about how a baby would change both of our lives in so many ways. I’d want more from her, but I have no idea if she feels the same. Gabriella is everything I’ve always wanted, but never thought I’d find. I’m always too busy to give relationships a chance but, for the first time in my life, I want to try. I’m ready to jump into the deep end with her and give her my all. Give her my love.

I release a shaky breath. Love isn’t something I plan to half-ass. If she’s in, if we’re going to do this, I’m going to love Gabriella with every ounce of my heart and soul. Whatever she wants, I’ll give it to her, and with zero hesitation. She will become my only focus…my world.

I’m debating whether or not to go back to her place and check in on her in a few hours when I hear a knock on the door. Turning, I look over to see Doug Holloway walking inside.

“Hi, Enzo,” he says, grinning, “how is everything going?”

“Really well,” I respond, putting my mask into place. “How are you?”

“Never been better. I’ve been reading all the reports and I’m thrilled with what the two of you have been able to accomplish in the last month and a half.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“I also was invited to spend some time over in Greece next week with a good friend—” He waggles his eyebrows, “and I’m not about to pass that up. If you catch my drift.”

Huh. I thought this man was still mourning his wife. Apparently not because it sounds like he’s moved on with a lady friend. Which I suppose is his prerogative, but it still seems odd to me.

“As much as I miss Laura, I know she’d want me to keep living, you know?”

“Of course, she would,” I say, but the truth is, Doug sounds like a first-rate douchebag at this moment.

“Where’s Gabriella?” he asks.

I clear my throat and realize the moment she isn’t here, of course the owner comes strolling in to check on us. “I told her to go home because she wasn’t feeling well. I think she has food poisoning.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. Well, I suppose this worked out well because I wanted to speak to you first.”

“Oh? What about?” I arch a brow, wondering why he wouldn’t want to speak to both of us. And, at that moment, I remember Gabriella telling me how, as a woman, she has to work so much harder to be taken as seriously as her male counterparts.

“I’ve made my decision about who I’m going to sell the company to,” he announces and grins widely at me.

My stomach sinks, and not in a good way. “Don’t you think Gabriella should be here for that announcement?” I ask.

“Not if it isn’t her.” He chuckles and gives me one of those “boy’s club” looks. “As much as I like Gabriella, I just worry about handing the reins to a woman. For all I know, she could be pregnant next year and decide she’d rather be a stay-at-home mom. Then where does that leave Holloway Corp.?”

Wow. I didn’t realize Doug was such an ass. Normally, I’d revel in such a victory, but I don’t feel like celebrating. In fact, I feel a little sick to my stomach.

“Besides, everyone knows you have an impeccable reputation and the Midas Touch. Like I said, I respect Gabriella for giving it a go, but the moment you expressed interest, it was game over for her. I would be an utter idiot to choose her over you.”

I grit my teeth as a wave of anger pounds through me. “Gabriella is a brilliant businesswoman,” I say a little more harshly than I intend, sticking up for her. “You’d be lucky to have her running this company.”

A company that you ignored and practically ran into the ground, I want to add, but don’t by sheer force of will.

“Oh, yeah, sure,” he quickly agrees. “Like I said, I like her. She’s smart and easy on the eyes, but I feel much better leaving Holloway Corp. in your capable hands.”

“With all due respect, Mr. Holloway, why did you even pretend you couldn’t decide? Why have us work together for almost two months if you never had any intention of selling to her?”

“Well, you know how it is nowadays with everyone suing over this and that and claiming discrimination and all that BS. I wanted her to think I was giving her a fair shot, too. And I really did. Sort of.” He chuckles and I get the sudden urge to punch him. It pisses me off that he basically gave Gabriella false hope and strung her along. Made her think if she worked hard enough that she could win. And the truth is he never had any intention of selling to her. Not really, anyway.

Winning. That’s what this whole thing has been about. Winning Holloway Corp. and beating Gabriella. Or, at least, that’s what I thought. But now things are becoming more clear.

The only thing I want to win is her.

But does she want me, too?

Honestly, I’m not so sure. And, after she finds out that she lost and Doug didn’t choose her, she’s going to be upset. That’s probably an understatement. Knowing Gabriella, she’s going to be crushed and probably get mad at me. The last thing I want her to do is pull away from me. From the idea of us. Especially not after we grew closer again this past weekend.

“We can get started on paperwork as soon as?—”

“Doug,” I interrupt, holding up a hand, making a split second decision and hoping I don’t regret it later, “I’m going to have to bow out. Give the company to Gabriella. She deserves it.”

His eyes nearly bug from his head. “What? Are you kidding me right now?”

The strange thing is I feel perfectly content with what I’m doing and how I’m handling the situation. “I’m positive.”

He shakes his head, confusion flashing through his eyes. “At what point did you make this decision? And why?”

The moment I realized I’m falling in love with Gabriella, I think. And I refuse to do anything that might cause me to lose her.

“When I realized she’s more important than making money,” I say and stand up. As I’m gathering my things, I turn my attention to Doug, eyes narrowing. “She’s the right person to lead this company into a very profitable future whether she decides to have children, get married or remain single. None of that should fucking matter. It wouldn’t matter for me and it shouldn’t for her.”

Doug just stares at me as though I’ve lost my mind.

After snapping my briefcase shut, I send the other man my most intimidating look, the one that has scared competitors shitless and sent them running. “I suggest you call Gabriella immediately and let her know you’ve chosen her to sell Holloway to at the price she initially offered. Otherwise, you’d be a very foolish, very stupid man.”

Doug clears his throat. “I mean, she is smart.”

“Oh, she’s more than just smart. She’s fucking brilliant and you’d be damn lucky to have her turn this sinking ship around and make it profitable again.”

His face flushes. “Are you sure about this, Enzo? I really thought?—”

“Positive,” I interrupt smoothly. “Make the call, Doug. Before I have to remind you that my last name is Rossi.”

Doug gulps, his throat bobbing nervously, as I turn on my heel and walk out. Good. I don’t normally toss my last name around like that, using it as some kind of intimidation tactic, but I want to make sure Holloway chooses Gabriella. Speaking of which…

I pause in the doorway and glance over my shoulder. “Maybe even more so, don’t forget that her last name is Bianche.”

He starts nodding fast. “I’ll call her,” he assures me.

“Very wise,” I say and walk out. It feels good to wash my hands of Holloway Corp. and all the guilt I’d suppressed ever since I went behind Gabriella’s back.

Deciding to check on her, I drive straight over to her apartment. Of course, I also want to be there to congratulate her when Doug calls and offers her the company. When she opens the door, I don’t get the warm welcome I expect. In fact, she looks downright annoyed.

“How’re you feeling?” I ask as she reluctantly steps back, letting me inside.

“Fine. We need to talk.”

Well, that’s not a good sign. “Sure,” I say slowly, turning to face her. She looks great—her color is back in her cheeks and she seems feisty as ever. Maybe a little too wound up about something. I was hoping to celebrate, but she doesn’t appear to be in a very celebratory mood.

“Why did you back out?” she asks, crossing her arms.

Damn. Doug wasn’t messing around and he must’ve called Gabriella before I even made it to the parking garage. As much as I’d like to think it was due to me, I know better. Purposely dropping both of our last names like I shamelessly did was a total knockout punch.

“Several reasons. Why aren’t you happier about my decision? I just made everything pretty damn easy for everybody, don’t you think?”

“Since when does Enzo Rossi make anything easy? What? You think I couldn’t handle it? That I would’ve lost to you if you’d stayed in the running? And then that would put quite the damper on our fucking, wouldn’t it?”

Her words catch me like a sucker punch to the gut. “What the hell are you talking about? I backed out so you could have Holloway. It’s what you wanted.”

“Exactly! You didn’t think I could get it on my own!”

“You couldn’t! Doug came into the office after you left and showed his true colors.”

She frowns. “What are you talking about?”

“He said the moment I entered the game, he never had any intention of choosing you.” Her face falls and I feel like an asshole. I soften my voice and say, “You were right. He played the whole boy’s club card. He even wanted to end things early because he’s going to Greece with some woman.”

Gabriella just blinks and, for the first time since I’ve known her, she’s at a loss for words. “But, Laura,” she finally murmurs. “He told me how much he misses his wife who passed away last year.”

I make a face. “Well, it seems he’s moved on.”

“I don’t understand. Why did he have us working together? Why didn’t he just choose you right away? It doesn’t make any sense.”

“I asked him the same thing and he said…” My voice trails off. I don’t want to tell her the truth, but I respect her too much not to.

“What?” she presses.

“He said he wanted you to believe you had a shot. But, the truth is his mind was made up the second I walked through the door.”

“Oh.”

Dammit. She looks absolutely crestfallen and, for a brief moment, I think she’s going to cry. But then she pushes the emotion away and puts her mask back in place.

“I’m sorry, Bri. Holloway turned out to be an asshole, but you won. The company is all yours.”

She studies me closely. “You never said why exactly you backed out.”

“Because you deserve it.”

“I won by default. That hardly counts.”

“Of course it counts, honey. Once you sign the papers, it’s all yours. Doesn’t really matter how it happened.”

“It does, though,” she insists. “Doug didn’t really choose me. He wanted you.”

“Who cares? You’re going to get what you wanted. That’s a good thing.”

A strange look crosses her face and I have no idea what is going on inside that beautiful head of hers.