Harbour of Refuge (21 page)

“Missed you as well.”

He kissed her lightly, knowing if he kissed her as he truly wished, they would miss dinner altogether. She stepped away from him and he frowned. She shook her head and gestured to where his parents stood.

With a chuckle, he pulled her close again. “Get used to it, sweetheart. We’re an affectionate family.”

“Incorrigible.”

“One of the nicer things he’s been called in his day,” Zia interjected. “Excuse me, I’m off to hold either a niece or nephew.”

Enzo tucked Halyn close to him and rested his cheek on the top of her head. “Thanks for coming.”

“Jaydee called me today, making sure I would be here.”

“Did she?”
Note to self, thank Jaydee later.

“I think she thought I was going to bail.”

“Were you?”

“Perhaps. Meeting your entire family is a pretty intimidating thought.”

“Are we that bad?”

“No. I know that now. Before, I wasn’t so sure.” She patted his stomach. “I should go help them in the kitchen.”

He was reluctant to let her go—if he had his way they would sneak away for some private time together. But that wasn’t what tonight was about. So he let her go and stared at her retreating form. Casting his gaze around the room, he paused when he saw Liev standing before Valentino. They were off to the side and Valentino had crouched down to hear whatever was being said.

Staring at his brother’s face, he knew he wasn’t immune to the words Liev spoke. He gave a small nod and pushed to his feet. Liev walked away and Enzo went to take his place.

“What was that all about?” Valentino didn’t say anything so he asked again. “What happened between you and Liev?”

“He just told me that he knew how it was to be hurt and sad. Told me it would be better one day and how now we had something in common.”

Damn, his kid was good. “He’s right, you know. I know you don’t like mentioning the past with…with what happened, Valentino, but we’re worried about you. All of us.”

“So you put him up to this?”

“No. Not at all. He did mention in the car that you were sad. Your eyes told him. But then he dropped it and I thought he’d moved on.” He touched Valentino’s shoulder. “Sorry.”

“No need to be. He is an amazing boy, doing what he thought would help.”

“Did it?”

A slight grin lifted the corners of his lips. “Maybe. I’d say it’s too early to tell, though.”

“I’ll think positively.” He jerked his head. “Come on, you know they’ll be talking about us if we’re gone too long.”

Together, they joined everyone in the kitchen. He spoke with his father while Halyn and Zia talked. His sister was such a coolly elegant woman. Always in professional attire, she intimidated most who met her. Halyn on the other hand loved her comfortable clothing, he knew this having seen her closet. She had some dresses but shuddered when she talked about wearing them. He remembered the one time she wore a skirt for him, since then it had been pants.

Tonight, her hair was in a French braid with silver ribbons threaded throughout. She wore another black shirt with a band from the eighties on it, grey, well-worn jeans and black boots with a small heel.

“I hear you’re taking us paintballing, Halyn.” Giuseppe, his father, asked.

“Not sure if that’s entirely accurate, but I do know of a place for you to paintball.”

“You’re not going?” Enzo questioned.

“Um…I’m not sure…hadn’t planned on it.”

“Oh you have to,” Zia said. “I want you on my team.”

“Too late, sis, I’m pairing up with Halyn,” Gio announced.

Enzo shook his head as he listened to them banter over who got Halyn as a teammate. He recalled Gio telling him about running into her after her game. That image had given him wet dreams for a good week or two. He would love to see her like that.

“I’m thinking I should be paired with her,” Enzo interrupted.

“Why is that?” Zia demanded.

“I’m dating her.”

“Semantics. That’s no different than me claiming because we’re both women we should be teammates.” Zia grinned. “Yes, I like that. That’s why. What do you say, Halyn and Jaydee? Women against men?”

Enzo frowned. He wanted her on his team, dammit.

“Three against four isn’t exactly fair,” his father stated.

“Four?” Zia looked at their father. “You aren’t playing, Dad. You and Mom have the kids.”

He glared. “I can hold my own with you any day.”

“Let them have their fun,” his mother said. “We’re going to have fun of our own.”

“Are you sure that’s fair?” Gio asked, a smirk on his face.

“Not for you three, that’s for sure.” Zia shook her head. “Tell me you’re in this with me?”

Halyn shrugged. “Sounds good to me.”

Jaydee echoed her sentiment.

Enzo glanced at his brothers. Both of them stood there, arms crossed, looking smug.

“The match isn’t tonight,” their mother said. “Lose the attitudes and set the table.”

He met Halyn’s gaze and winked. She rolled her eyes and leaned in to whisper something to her new cohorts. Oh yeah, he was so looking forward to this.

* * * *

Halyn adjusted the camouflage bandanna she wore over her hair. It matched the rest of her. A quick look to the women on either side of her, a nod, then they were off. Part of her wished Mila was there as well, but she felt confident they could do this. Jaydee had the course layout memorised. She pretty much did as well given how often she came, and she had come to realise Zia was not a wimp.

This look on Enzo’s sister made her even hotter. She wore a business suit well but hell, if anyone ever needed women to pose with guns, they need look no further than Jaydee or Zia. They progressed cautiously, expecting traps everywhere. The sun, which had been with them at the beginning, got swallowed up by clouds and now the rain had begun.

They had a plan and she kept on her course, even though she could no longer see her teammates. Pausing behind a tree, she tensed when she heard a twig snap. Whirling to fire, she found herself staring at Enzo.

Flames licked at her skin and she whimpered. He looked too damn good. Camouflaged, wet with rain and sweat, a backwards ball cap, and a weapon. Her finger wouldn’t pull the trigger.

“I’ve been looking for you,” he said in a
sotto voce
.

“Shouldn’t you, like, be shooting me or something?”

His eyes heated with desire and she gulped. Before she could think about it, he had her pressed back against a tree, his mouth devouring hers. Their moves were frantic as they fumbled with one another’s clothing.

“You’re so fucking hot like his,” he uttered as he cupped her through her panties.

“Need…inside…now…” She couldn’t think straight for the need had taken over. She had one goal—him, deep inside her. It had been far too long since they’d been together.

“Yes.” His voice was deep and guttural.

One second he wasn’t, then he was and his thickness spread her wide. She bit his shoulder to keep from crying out as the tree bark dug into her back.

Her vest hung open, her shirt bunched up as he massaged a breast with his large hand. The taut nipple pressed into his palm as he rolled and tugged her breast.

“Fuck!” he ground out.

“Yes,” she mewled.

She hooked her legs around his waist, digging her heavy boots into the flesh of his ass, encouraging him deeper still. His pace was relentless and she craved more. Words escaped her and, holding him tight, she just hung on for the ride, determined not to scream aloud.

Enzo latched his mouth onto the side of her neck as he thrust his hips harder. Faster. Euphoria raced up to overtake her and she held out as long as she could, wanting him to join her. He dug his fingers into the flesh of her ass, turned his head and nipped her earlobe.

“Let go, Halyn. Let go.”

That was all it took. Her back bowed as she let the orgasm wash over her. He never slowed and soon he came hard. His curse was low in her ear as he filled her with his seed. Head spinning, she struggled for breath. Enzo remained buried deep inside her, his face in to the curve of her neck.

Slowly, he pulled back and pressed a light kiss upon her lips. She opened for him and welcomed him in with a gentle stroke of her tongue. His length flexed inside her. Coaxing him deeper into her mouth, she drew on his tongue, fast then slow until his hips started mimicking the action.

He groaned and she tightened her muscles around him. “Once more,” she murmured.

So he did. This time when she came, she screamed into his mouth. She closed her eyes in pure bliss as he ejaculated again inside her. Fighting the difficulty she had opening her eyes, Halyn watched him from her lowered lashes. The look in his eyes primal and possessive. She liked it. Tilting her head, she brushed a kiss along his cheek.

“We need to get back to the game before your family finds us like this.”

His answer was to grab the sides of her head and kiss her until she was ready to surrender. She blew out a breath and pushed him back. “No. No more.”

“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

It didn’t take too long to set their clothing to rights. The second they had their guns in hand the tension rocketed up for an entirely different reason.

“How do you want to do this?” he asked.

“Give me ten seconds, then it’s back on.”

He smirked at her and she hid her own. She knew what he was thinking—she wouldn’t get far in such a short time. His nod was immediate and she almost gloated.

“Close your eyes.”

He did and she allowed herself another moment to memorise him. “Get moving, Halyn.”

“Thanks, by the way,” she whispered in his ear before she split.

She met Jaydee where they’d agreed. “Zia was shot and I took out Gio.” Tortoiseshell eyes ran over her before a small grin appeared. “I’d ask you if you’d seen either of the others, but the hickey on your neck tells me you saw Enzo at least.”

Oh, shit
. She didn’t even have an excuse so she shrugged.

“Will you be able to pull the trigger on him? Or do you want to take Valentino?”

Wiping her cheek, she grinned at her friend. “Let me take Enzo. I’m betting he’ll assume I won’t be able to do it.”

Jaydee ran her intelligent gaze over her again. “You have an evil streak in you, Halyn Jennings. You remind me of my friend Lexy. Let’s do it. I’ll take out Valentino, you knock out your boyfriend.”

She gave her a mock salute and slipped away, feeling more than a bit proud. She felt accepted by Jaydee, and she liked that. It was important to her for his family to like her. Mentally plotting where Enzo would be heading, she backtracked until she reached the bunker she wanted. Thankfully, the rain cleaned off any footprints she left.

Cautiously, she made her way into the brush and settled in where she thought Enzo would come out. A crashing sound had her smearing her goggles as she strained to see what, or rather who, approached. She curled her finger around the trigger.

Barely breathing, she willed herself not to tense up. A figure materialised before her and she relaxed her finger. It was Valentino. Did it pound through her to shoot him? Yes. Was she going to? No. He was Jaydee’s target. Besides, she believed Enzo was near, and if she shot Valentino it would give away her position. There was no way for her to move without being seen. She would have one shot, that was all.

He progressed slowly and she did her best to sink farther out of view. Still, she never stopped scanning around, searching for the man she knew, deep in her gut, was nearby. Valentino was the sacrifice.

She grinned, ignoring the mud which made its way to her mouth. Jaydee had a sniper rifle, so she just had to make sure he didn’t step on her while she waited for her teammate to knock out Valentino. Halyn had an idea of where Enzo was, but she couldn’t quite turn her head to check. She’d seen a flash of metal and figured it was his watch.

A single shot rang out and before the first ball splattered him, another followed. Green paint spread over Valentino’s chest, marking him dead and out of the game. Jaydee’d hit him twice.

“Damn!” he swore.

From the direction she’d assumed, Enzo burst into view, spraying paintballs from where the shot had originated. She waited for him to move into her line of sight so she could shoot without giving away her position.

Just a little bit more. Come on.
The moment he was beside his brother, who had sat down, shaking his head over the green on his chest, she raised the muzzle and fired thrice.

It was over before he even knew what had hit him. She laughed as she stood and hollered for Jaydee. “We did it, Jaydee!”

“God damn it,” Enzo cussed. “I didn’t even see you there.”

Jaydee approached, an unusual smile on her face. Valentino got to his feet and shook his head, while Gio and Zia broke through from a bunker where they’d been hanging out.

“You weren’t supposed to.”

“Gio was right, you are mean. All of you are.” Enzo lost his smile, swung his gun over his shoulder and stepped closer. “What happened?” He reached out for her neck.

“Tree got me and you did the bruising, thank you very much. Like I needed a hickey.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist. “Let’s go get cleaned up.” With his other hand, he wiped some mud off her cheek and kissed her.

“Seriously, bro? On the field?” Gio shook his head.

“Please, like you wouldn’t have done the same thing had you run into Jaydee. Now let’s go, I’ve got some bathing to do.”

Everyone laughed as they walked back. She smiled, she liked this. Being an only child made her appreciate the large family dynamic. Enzo glanced at her and winked. She picked up the pace, suddenly extremely anxious to get to the shower.

Chapter Fifteen

Enzo drummed his fingers on the tabletop as he stared across at his manager, Ben. The man had flown in for a meeting—thankfully it was on a school day and Liev sat in a classroom because, personally, he was losing his patience.

“What were you thinking, Ben?”

“People are wondering about you and this boy who you’re suddenly claiming as your own. A news piece could go a long way in explaining it all.”