When we got back to Enzo's apartment that night, he gave me a bracelet. He said it was an "Italian thing", red string tied with an evil eye on it. It was to ward off negative energy. It was pretty, and not expensive. "It is from Italy, I had it sent here for you, Angel." I swooned over that when he told me. It already felt like Enzo was spoiling me rotten with all this expensive living.

I'd been staying with him for several weeks now and he was as welcoming as the first day. Always making sure I was happy, sweet dinners every night with him, or with him and his brothers, days out shopping even though I begged him otherwise, movie nights with all of us together, it was fun. It was family. But, I still felt guilty for forcing myself into Enzo's home life like this.

I wanted to just disappear sometimes so that I didn't feel like I was being such a leech. Enzo said he was more than happy I was with him here, but I still had to thought in the back of my head that was constantly hissing at me.

"You're a bother."

"You're like a never-ending responsibility."

"You're a burden."

"Enzo will grow tired of having to see after you every second of the day."

But, Enzo, Dante, Stefano, and Alessio always told me the opposite.

His brothers were just as enthusiastic as Enzo was about me staying with them. They moved in temporarily as well, because of safety in numbers, I guess. I truly uprooted all their lives. I hated how dependent I was on Enzo and his brothers. I always had to have one of them with me now for security.

But, the bright side is that we have all grown a lot closer.

Dante comes with me to all my classes, because he's the closest to my age and stuck out the least in my lecture halls. Although everyone still stares at us half the time. He loves to make fun of my professors, imitating them half the time. Alessio drives me everywhere because Enzo doesn't trust anyone anymore, not even his driver. At work, I'm with Enzo and Stefano.

I sleep in Enzo's room every night, I feel so scared when I'm alone at night. I tried to sleep in his guest room a few times but I couldn't. I ended up running to his bed like a scared small child every time.

I quit trying to sleep alone and accepted his invitation. He told me he slept better when he held me, anyway. I thought he might be lying, just to ease my guilt. But, I did always wake up to him smiling down at me like I was an amazing gift each morning. I was hardly that, more like a curse given to him by an evil stepmother. He'd kiss me as soon as I woke up and then tell me some smooth little line. It usually ended with me under him, or on top of him, or both. I liked our mornings together. He was always so sweet to me. Gentle when I needed to be comforted, and rough when I needed to be distracted.

It was always comfortable in his apartment, even if sometimes I wish it wasn't so I would feel less bad for staying with them.

The morning after I was chased, Enzo's men called him and told him that they couldn't find the dorm intruder or even any tampered entrances and exits.

It sucked having to feel so vulnerable constantly, that someone tried to target me, but they made me feel infinitely safer.

I was beyond grateful for all they did for me.

Which was why I didn't tell anyone about the text messages I was receiving. They weren't constant, more like two or three a week. It started about 2 weeks ago. I didn't want them to have to worry more than they already do.

Plus, the texts were probably from Rob. They sounded a lot like him, and we had bigger fish to fry than my ex-boss. He might be an asshole, but the person who chased me down in my dorm was a bigger asshole. And he couldn't have been Rob, because Rob wouldn't have the ability to chase me up those stairs and everything as the intruder did. Rob was unathletic.

I decided to just ignore the texts. They were just stupid messages like "you took everything from me" or "you stupid bitch. you're lucky" so no big deal.

My life is significantly better, besides that huge issue...

I love working for Enzo, surprisingly. He is always patient with me, and extra possessive at work. It's so hot- even though I shouldn't find it to be. I love when he acts all broody. He pulled a knife on one of the men for staring at me too long, it made me melt a little more than I'd like to admit. Maybe I'm just a psychopath.

But, I am falling for Enzo so fast that I can't keep track.

Enzo mixes work and pleasure so much that it never feels like work. Sometimes he takes me over his desk after a meeting. Once he spanked me over his lap in his fancy chair, while I read him his schedule for the week. That was fun. His workplaces are all very different depending on what he's doing that day, so he is constantly getting creative with the ways to torture me.

I like working at the warehouse the most in his office. He keeps a flogger in his desk drawer there. He's used it on me several times, sometimes as a reward and sometimes as punishment when I push him. When I'm feeling bored at work I like to get him all riled up. I give him attitude until he finally snaps and fucks me raw.

He told me that he's working me up to the club so that I won't be overwhelmed. I agreed that when I am ready to go, I'll tell him.

We've been experimenting together more and more. I learned that I love degradation and praise equally, and the flogger, nipple clamps, and paddle. I have a love-hate relationship with the cane, though. I love when he punishes me with orgasm denial and when he overstimulates me. He always reads my body perfectly. I love his aftercare too. I love being with Enzo in general.

We fit, against all odds.

I didn't have to go to work today, since Enzo didn't have much to do that I'd need to sit through. Stefano went with Enzo and Dante was in Italy for other business. They were all busy today. So, I stayed with Alessio. We woke up early and went to their new cafe for breakfast. It was nice, with walls covered in lavender-colored flowers. The cafe was a welcomed distraction. It was always fun hanging out with Alessio because he was so easy to talk to. Always making jokes to distract me from my constant stress and borderline fear.

We got back from the cafe and I told Alessio I had school work to do, so I was going to stay in the library. It was finals week, so I had loads of studying to do along with papers up to my neck. I was supposed to visit Samson this break, but now I'm not sure if it's a good idea anymore. Unless Enzo went with me. And then that would mean he'd have to be apart from his own family this Christmas. I wouldn't ask that of him, or any of them. But, I also couldn't crash their Christmas. I didn't book any flights but, I didn't know what to do. I decided to figure it out later when I saw Enzo tonight.

I left Alessio in the living room and walked to the library, grabbing my school stuff on the way. I texted Enzo to check-in and got to work immediately. Enzo's library was so pretty. It looks like it is straight out of a dark academia movie. I love sitting in here to do my schoolwork. This room belonged in a haunted mansion. It was peaceful, quiet, and vintage-looking. Even the books lining the walls looked vintage. I didn't dare touch them.

Enzo told me he likes to read in his free time. It's pretty cute, imagining his huge self holding a tiny novel.

I sat down at Enzo's desk in the library to set up my books and laptop. The big chair smelled like his cologne.

Lilly: I'm in the library studying. I'll be in here probably when you get home. Come find me when you get home hehe :)

His reply was quick as always.

Enzo: I'll see you soon Principessa. I'm coming home in three hours or so. I'll stop on the way home and bring you dinner from the sushi place you like. Okay?

Lilly: yay. Thank you!!! Surprise me with the roll you get me, please :)

Enzo: ofc Bella

I sat back and couldn't help but smile. He spoiled me so much. Enzo was the perfect boyfriend.

❤️🥰