Claimed By The Ruthless Enzo

{Naomi POV}

Enzo's hand loosened around my wrist as we kept walking further up the stairs, but it didn't ease my nerves one bit. My skin still tingled where he'd been holding me, and not in a good way. I looked over at him, biting the inside of my cheek.

Why do I feel like this is going to be my life now? Him dragging me around in front of guests like some trophy wife, pretending this is all normal.

I shifted my hand, trying to pull it free from his grip, but the moment I moved, his fingers tightened again like steel wrapped in skin. His head snapped toward me, eyes cold and sharp. "What are you trying to do? Have you forgotten our terms and conditions so soon?"

My heart jumped. I swallowed hard, heat rushing up my neck like a steam train about to blow. "Terms and conditions?" I asked quietly, my eyes flicking around as we stepped into a quieter hallway away from all the whispers and stares. "If this is really just a marriage contract, then we don't have to hold hands when no one's watching."

He scoffed, letting go of my hand at last. But instead of moving away, he stepped in closer, and I instinctively backed up until my back hit the cool wall behind me. His eyes pinned me there, sharp enough to slice skin.

"If I hear you say marriage contract again, and someone else hears it..." His voice dropped, his jaw clenched tight. His hands balled into fists like he was holding himself back from doing something worse.

I scurried a step further from him, like a cat trying to avoid getting stepped on. "You won't have to bother about paying me," he added, his voice low and dangerous. "You'll have to watch your back."

He stared at me one more time, then turned and walked away. I stood there, catching my breath, hand pressed against my chest like it might steady my heart. I felt like I'd just run a marathon.

"Why is he so mean, harsh, and hateful?" I whispered under my breath, wrapping my arms around myself.

"Naomi?" a familiar voice called from behind me. I jumped and spun around so fast my hair whipped in my face. Chloe stood a little far from me, she was in her usual work uniform, holding a dusty fur brush in her hand.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, brows pulled tight.

My eyes widened. "Chloe!" I rushed toward her like she was my only lifeline. "Ssh, you don't know me, okay? If Enzo finds out we're friends, he'll figure it out."

"Figure out what?" Chloe rolled her eyes, not really picking up on my panic yet. "I thought we agreed. Once you stole the cufflinks, you weren't supposed to show your face here again. And what's with the dress?"

I sighed, looking down at the too-tight, too-fancy thing hugging me. "Chloe... I got caught." I sucked in a sharp breath. "Enzo... he knows I stole the cufflinks."

Chloe's mouth fell open. Her eyes darted side to side like she expected Enzo to appear right behind me. Without another word, she dropped the brush, grabbed my hand, and yanked me into the nearest room.

"Oh my God, Naomi," she whispered, shutting the door behind us.

Chloe's face paled like she'd seen a ghost. "What... what are you gonna do now? Naomi, this is bad. You're not serious, right?" Her voice shook, and her hand flew to her head. "I'm scared for you."

"Chloe, calm down!" I hissed, glancing toward the door before I continued. "Listen... Enzo made me sign a contract. A marriage contract."

Her brows shot up. "A marriage contract?"

"Yeah. I'm supposed to act as his wife. Play along until I can pay the debt back," I said, voice dropping low. "And the contract says... until Enzo doesn't want me anymore, I have to stay with him."

Chloe's face crumpled. "Naomi, no... This is bad." She shook her head so hard her bun nearly fell apart. "This is really bad. Enzo isn't the kind of man any lady should be close to. What if he... I don't know, kills you? Or does something terrible?"

I let out a weak laugh, raising my hands in surrender. "Chloe, you worry too much." I smiled, even though my stomach felt like it was full of bricks. "I'll be fine."

Chloe grabbed my arm. "Naomi, this isn't a joke."

"I know." My voice softened. "But... while I'm stuck with him, I need a favor."

Her eyes narrowed. "What favor?"

"Can you... keep an eye on my mom?" I asked, my throat tight. "She's still in the hospital. I just... I need someone to look out for her while I figure all this out."

Chloe groaned like I'd just asked her to carry a bag of rocks. "Naomi... You know your mom is the worst patient to look after. She's always shouting and throwing things."

"Please, Chloe..." I grabbed her hand, giving her my best sad eyes. "Just until Enzo lets me go. It won't be forever."

She let out a loud sigh and shook her head. "Fine. But if she says any hurtful words to me, I'm leaving."

I laughed softly. "Deal."

With that, I gave her hand one last squeeze and stepped out of the room, glancing left and right down the hallway. The coast was clear. I turned toward the nearest corner but nearly bumped into someone.

I blinked my heart caught for a while, I thought it was Enzo but when I looked at the guy before me I realized he wasn't. The guy was younger and he looked like he belonged here, good build, sharp eyes that flicked over me from head to toe like I was some puzzle he couldn't figure out.

"Who are you?" he asked, voice calm but firm.

I stood straighter. "I'm... Naomi Ray, Enzo's fiancée."

His brow lifted slightly, like he already knew but didn't like hearing it out loud. "I know that part," he said coolly. "What I'm asking is... what are you doing in the Vitale mansion?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but he cut me off, eyes sharper now. "What do you even see in Enzo that made you decided to marry him? You should leave before you get yourself into a bigger mess."

My stomach dropped. I didn't even know what to say. But before I could form a word, a familiar chill filled the air behind me.