chapter 59

◇ KEL ◇

An hour later



"Berto told me. He said Leo beat you up but you won't go to the hospital."

"Sto bene."

Mykaela stared at the guy avoiding her face and frowned at his lie. Berto, his bodyguard, was not in the room. Which meant she could say whatever was on her mind.

She had patched up Niccolo to some extent, but when she'd heard about what happened to Lorenzio, her adrenaline just shot back up.

The thought of seeing Leandro again didn't terrify her; what scared her was the possibility of Lorenzio sustaining internal hemorrhage due to multiple physical injuries. His reddish swollen nose and lips, weak voice, slumped posture, and frequent limping were enough signs.

"Don't lie to my face." She dismissed the pang in her chest when the guy grunted in pain after sitting on the couch in one of Ricchar's guest rooms. They were alone, he was all bloody, and he barely spoke.

It instantly reminded her of that day they first met. Here in the same estate. It was like déjà vu. The worst kind.

"No. Grazie. Sono a posto." Hair tousled and now wearing a clean gray shirt, Enzo glanced at her once but kept staring at his phone screen.

"Stop lying." She got near him and scowled. She had to show him she was serious about getting him proper medical attention. "Are you dizzy?"



"Already took painkillers." Enzo winced again when he slowly reclined on the couch. The pinkish bruising around his eye and arms indicated just how bad his psychotic brother hurt him. "I'll sleep it off."

Her sigh got loud while her attention focused solely on his face. The brownish spots on his cheeks must have been what Miles noticed earlier. Leandro had been hurting Lorenzio for a while now. That evil prick. It wasn't that surprising, though.

"Go to bed," Lorenzio muttered with a dismissive hand gesture, like he just wanted to shoo her out of the guest room.

"What kind of painkillers?"

"It's nothing. I'll live." The guy put his phone on his lap and closed his eyes. Even yawning seemed to hurt him. Enzo slowly placed his bloodstained forearm on his thigh. He curbed the urge to swear, perhaps to convince her his injuries weren't as serious as she feared.

Defensive wounds, most likely. Thin bandages covered most of his right hand. They seemed fresh with small red stains around his knuckle. His bodyguards or the Falcos' maids must have cleaned up the mess. "Enzo, let me see."

"I'm fine. Go home."

Go home? Barely five minutes since she had him alone again and he already wanted her to go away? "Let me see them."

"He just had too much to drink."

No. Not for a second did she believe Leandro did this to him just because he forgot his alcohol limit. "Lift your shirt." Maintaining her stiff posture, she stood before him. She waited. He was hiding the proof beneath his clothes. His limping, slouching and muttered swearing told her much.

For a moment, Enzo stayed completely still on the couch, bruised eyes closed. Was he pretending he only needed a nap to make the pain go away?

Fine. She'd have to do all the inspecting without his help. Anxious but eager to help, Mykaela knelt before him, her hands now a bit sweaty. Her eyes centered on his fully covered midsection.

The painful memories Leandro left in her noggin'...still quite fresh. But definitely, Enzo got it much worse; he might even have a few fractured ribs. Leandro liked punching and kicking people in the gut. First hit and she'd just doubled over, if memory served her well.

With caution, Kel leaned forward till her lower thighs touched Enzo's shin, minding the bruises and abrasions on his knees. She lifted the hem of his shirt.

Dear God. More bruises. Just as she'd suspected.

Pinkish streaks trailed across his upper abdomen, the other contusions already turning dark red, suggesting his brother was definitely out of control. Unfortunately Enzo just had to put up with it.

Her heart sank. She knew the feeling all too well. His brother just loved flaunting his rank in the clan, apparently. Even to his own flesh and blood. That soulless creep. He should be imprisoned. For all of eternity.

"Just go home. I'll get better." Enzo gently pushed her hands away and cleared his throat. "Thanks for checking up on me."

"You could have broken bones. You think I'll just leave you here like that?" Mykaela shook her head, got up, and sighed. Fine if he didn't want her help, but he'd never hear the end of it till he quit procrastinating going to the emergency room.

"They're just bruises."

"I'll drag you to the car if I have to. Get up."

"I'll sleep it off."

"Enzo! You could have a concussion. Don't make this difficult. We're going to the ER."

"I don't care. Just go home."

She stood in front of him, biting back a curse. Why wouldn't he stop messing around? Why wouldn't he just go to the hospital with her? Did he want to suffer alone and die? "Are you pushing me away 'cause Leo might know I'm here or are you just pushing me away?"

"Just leave." His tone sounded void of life now. "Stay away. From me. From all this." Lorenzio glanced at her with droopy gaze, his long lashes hiding half of his bloodshot eye.

"Just go to the hospital. Please."

"Sorry for everything. Just stay away," he murmured in a hoarse voice, brows furrowed. "You deserve better. A normal life."

"I was born half-vampire. I'm never gonna be normal." She stared at his scruffy face while he tried his best to avoid her eyes. Why wouldn't he just go to the hospital?

Did he want to die? He might pass out right here, right now from complications caused by his injuries. But he insisted to be left alone? For her sake?

"You want to die tonight?" She glared at his nonchalant expression, her fists clenching, nails digging into her palms. "Lorenzio!"

"Just go home," he muttered. "Worry about you. I'll live."

Crap. He wasn't gonna budge. Stubborn as heck. Stupid and reckless. While she stayed in front of him, he kept his eyes shut, like he couldn't stand to look at her.

Did he hate her now? Why? Why was he shoving her away? Did he really want her gone?

Her tears came rushing down her cheeks before she could guess the answer. Her heavy heart made it difficult for her to breathe, too.

"Cazzo." Enzo sighed out loud when he saw her wipe off tears with her palms. "Bellezza..."

"Let's get it checked." Drats. Her voice cracked.

After a few seconds of strained silence, her pleading finally got through to his hard-headed resolve. Enzo watched her try to hold back tears, his immediate reaction one of hurt and confusion. "Stop crying."

"Please, love. I just...we just need to get you checked. It won't take long." She leaned over to help him up.

"Alright." He sighed resignedly. Clasping onto her arm and shoulder, Enzo slowly got up from the couch. "Just stop crying."

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