Enzo's Pov
Eliza's hugging me tightly, her arms locked around my torso. Her breathing is soft and gentle now, a complete contrast to the chaos she caused just an hour ago. She's fast asleep on my chest right here in the back of the car.
She's sleeping like a log, hasn't moved a single inch despite how much I've tried to adjust her. Every time I shifted, she just groaned in her sleep, a small, distressed sound, and her fingers tightened their grip on my suit jacket. She clearly didn't like the lack of contact. So I stopped trying to move her and just pulled her closer.
I'm laying back on the long seat, leaning against the window while she's settled in-between my legs, her head tucked under my chin. She's sleeping like she hasn't slept properly in days. Maybe it's because of all the drama she stirred up at the wedding.
It's a good thing I put my foot down and refused to have the event broadcast live.
That would have been a disaster. Maybe all that running and screaming was her way of protesting the whole arrangement. I can't blame her. I didn't want this marriage either, and I still don't. It's just something we're both going to have to learn how to put up with.
"I've received a new update from your parents, Enzo." My manager, Perry, calls for my attention from the front seat, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Which is?" I ask, not bothering to look up.
"They want you to go on a honeymoon. They've already arranged a whole trip to Xenon Island, booked out their private resort and everything—" he starts explaining.
"Cancel it." I interrupt him gently but firmly. There's no way I'm doing that.
"That's a great way to let me know you want me to be burnt to death by your father," Perry replies, his voice dry.
"I would do it for free if you wanted," I tell him, only half-joking.
He turns in his seat to squint at me. "Seriously, Enzo?"
"Perry, I'm just tired, man. Look at her," I say, pointing a finger at the sleeping woman draped over me. "You really think she'd want to be shipped off to some island with a stranger right now?"
"Well, she did agree to marry you, didn't she?" he counters, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah… under duress, from what I saw," I mutter. The memory of her frantic eyes and the way she collapsed is hard to forget. I change the subject. "Have you heard from Robbin?"
"No… she's still angry about the whole marriage thing. She's not taking my calls."
"I'll go see her today," I decide. I need to fix that, at least. One problem at a time.
"You should break up with her, Enzo."
My gaze instantly darkens as I shoot him a sharp glare. "What are you trying to say?" My voice is low, a clear warning.
"I'm saying you know the situation. Your parents always wanted you to get married to a Hawthorne, and now you've done it. You shouldn't lead Robbin on if you're already legally married to someone else. It's not fair to her." Perry says it plainly, like he's stating a simple fact.
"I've got it figured out," I let out a sharp, frustrated sigh. I look down at the woman sleeping on me. "She was just married to that buffoon Xavier before they got divorced. That whole mess was in the papers. Maybe she might still have feelings for him. We could come to an understanding."
"An open marriage?" Perry's eyes grow wide with disbelief. His jaw tightens visibly. "You have got to be kidding me. You would really go that low? Your father would have an aneurysm."
"For Robbin, yes. I would," I state, my tone leaving no room for argument. "This marriage doesn't help me or Eliza. I'm doing us both a favor. I can't fall for any woman that isn't Robbin. That's just the truth."
"And here you are," Perry counters, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he gestures toward us. "With your new wife sleeping right in between your thighs. Real convincing."
My counterpoint dies in my throat before I can even gather the audacity to speak. He has a point, and I hate it. I can't say if he's right or if he's wrong, but I know one thing for certain.
This woman, Eliza, is pure trouble. I can feel it, even as she looks like the most peaceful creature in the world while she's asleep. This whole situation is a mess, and it's only just begun.