❤️

I smiled, still sleepy, and grabbed Enzo's hand. I could smell his expensive, masculine cologne wrap around me like a security blanket.

My eyes shot open in alert when I finally realized what was happening. I gasped loudly looking up to see a disappointed-looking Enzo sitting next to me. We were in private because it was covered by the frosted glass. I gaped at him, with a loss for words.

"Enzo- I- Uh," I stuttered over my words, trying to get out any excuse. I felt extra guilty.

His finger twirled around a strand of my hair.

"I'm so sorry," I stuttered more. Not from fear, but embarrassment. My face was probably putting a tomato to shame. My eyes darted around, avoiding his face. I didn't need to look at him to know what he looked like right now. His finger brushed my cheek and then tipped my chin up to meet his eyes. I was shocked when he kissed my forehead. I expected him to be so angry. Or maybe this was calm before the storm. Or maybe this was a goodbye. I couldn't decipher any of his expressions or actions.

"I'm not mad, angel. I am a little upset that you didn't tell me. More so, that you didn't feel like you could trust me enough to tell me," his eyebrows pulled together. I sighed.

"I do trust you," I whispered.

"Then why did you lie to me, baby?" His voice was so soft that it hurt to listen to. He should have been yelling at me or being angry. Anything but so understanding. I felt infinitely more guilty.

"I don't know... I just didn't want to be in the way. I figured I could go and be out of your hair for two weeks." I mumbled. It was a bad excuse. But, it was the truth.

He kissed me. I sighed when his lips touched mine. They were so devastatingly gentle.

"You aren't in the way, ever. I want you to be there. I love having you live with me. My brothers love it too. They like you. And, I, " he paused.

I widened my eyes a little, waiting for him to finish the sentence that I could've sworn was about to cross some lines.

He shook his head and my heart sank a little. I looked away.

"I want you to stay with me, please, angel. Everything's better with you there. I'm sorry for what I said before. I don't blame you for anything that happened to you. I was just upset over what happened, and the possibilities were running through my head a mile a minute. It's no excuse, but I'm working on it."

"I'm sorry I lied to you Enzo. I should have told you that Sampson moved. I know it was fucked up."

"It's okay. I know why you did it," he held my hand in his, pulling it up to his lips and kissing my knuckles.

"I won't lie to you again. I promise. I feel so guilty. I shouldn't have done it."

"No, you shouldn't have. But, it's okay, I can never stay mad at you, Lilly," his lips continued kissing up my wrist to my forearm. I felt the blush on my cheeks burn.

"Wait, how did you know?"

"I stayed outside waiting, I knew something was wrong. I could tell you were lying when you didn't look me in the eyes while you gave me the address. So, I am waiting for you, just in case."

"I was there for hours," I blurted. shocked that he stayed that long.

"I know, but I had to make sure you were safe," he said matter of factly.

I hugged him hard. No one ever cared about me the way Enzo does. He made me feel so special, worshipped even. I had tears in my eyes but blinked them away quickly. I felt Enzo lay a kiss in my hair. I didn't deserve him.

"You're coming to Puerto Rico with me?" I asked. I secretly hoped he'd say yes. I wanted him to meet Sampson.

"Do you want me to?" he asked seriously. I knew at that moment that if I said no, he'd be on the next flight back to New York before I'd blink my eyes.

"Yes," I said eagerly.

"If that's okay with you," I quickly added.

"Of course," he pulled me in for another kiss. I crawled into his lap, kissing him. I leaned my face on his chest and sighed.

"Thank you, Enzo. You make me feel so safe. I just felt like I was a wet blanket on your family."

"Never. I promise you that. Just trust me?"

"Okay," I nodded and kissed his neck.

He groaned and snaked his arms around me holding me close.

"How did you find me on the plane?"

He chuckled. "How do you think you got upgraded to first-class?"

I giggled, "you're too smart. Although you're rewarding me for bad behavior, you know?"

"Oh, no. I am going to punish you, my sweet Lilly. Harshly. Me upgrading you to first-class has nothing to do with punishment, though. That is just me taking care of you, I know you've only flown like once before this. I wanted you to feel comfortable. Even if I'm mad at you, I still care about you and want to make you happy."

I didn't know what to say. I just kissed him again.

"Stefano, Dante, and Lessi are taking care of work while you're with me?"

"About that..."

"No..." I looked at him with wide eyes. Oh god.

"Oh yeahhhhh," Alessio said as he opened the glass divider.

"We weren't eavesdropping we swear," Dante winked.

"How the hell did you get here?" I stared at Dante.

"I took the jet," he smirked.

He opened his arms waiting for an embrace. "I'm waiting..." He said cockily. I launched myself at him. He was surprised because he almost lost his footing.

"Thank you, Dante. You saved me. If you didn't call me, anything could have happened," I whispered in her ear, kissing his cheek. He blushed a little.

"As if I'd ever let that happen. You're family, and we protect our family," he scoffed.

"I am so happy to have you in my life," I smiled looking up at all of them.

Dante winked at me, back to his flirty personality. Enzo narrowed his eyes at Dante.

"Watch it, brother," Enzo warned. Dante chuckled, hugging me tighter to taunt Enzo.

"Come here, angel," Enzo said. I could see his possessive side coming out. I giggled and sat in his lap. He kissed my shoulder. I leaned into him. I loved sitting in his lap. He was always so warm. They came and sat in the other seats in my closed-off section.

"So, you're all coming to Puerto Rico?" I asked in amusement.

"You bet, princess," Stefano said.

"Oh my god. Sampson is going to have a stroke."

"Don't worry, we're only staying for a week. Just long enough to get the apartment checked for wires or bugs. Plus a newer system needs to be installed. "

"It's not safe there for the time being."

"Okay," I paused trying to think of a way to bring up the topic. "Why don't I stay the next week too, when you guys go back. I'll stay with Sampson for Christmas," I suggested.

"What? Don't you want to spend Christmas with us?" Alessio frowned. Dante followed suit with puppy eyes. Stefano's face was upset for a second before he looked away.

"I just figured you'd all want to spend it together. So, I was going to stay at Sampson's house."

"We want you there, Bella. You're part of the family. Stop thinking you're not," Enzo said.

"Are you sure it's okay if I am there?" I looked at his brothers.

Stefano nodded yes quickly. I smiled at him. He smiled back. He was the worst at showing his emotions out of all of them. So, I knew he was genuine when he said he wanted me there.

"Duh," Alessio laughed and Dante nodded.

"I'm so excited," I almost squealed.

"Go to sleep so you don't have to be awake for landing," Enzo whispered into my ear. His arms wrapped around me, making me feel safe as always. His thumb rubbed across my rib over and over, soothing me to sleep.

When I woke up Enzo was carrying me off the plane with my duffle slung over his shoulder. I laughed.

"Something funny?" he teased.

"You look like you're on a mission," I loud laugh burst out of me.

"If you can make fun of me, I think you can walk?"

"Nope," I quipped.

"Mhm, you're lucky I love spoiling your ass," his hand squeezed my butt, and another laugh bubbled out.

"How come you never carry me?" Dante teased.

"Shut up," Enzo chuckled.

"Wow, no love for your little brother," Dante huffed jokingly.

"Too much love. That's why you grew up to be so rotten," Enzo snickered.