Chapter 24: THE ENZO EFFECT

DIANA’S POV

Francesca and her friends froze, their hands still mid-air, as Enzo’s cold voice cut through the air like a blade. His presence alone was enough to make them shiver.

I turned slowly, my breath catching in my throat. Enzo stood a few feet away, his  eyes locked onto the girl who had tried to slap me.

Francesca was the first to react. She forced out a nervous laugh, flipping her hair like she wasn’t just caught.

"Oh, Enzo," she purred, trying to act innocent.

"We were just having some fun. You know how girls are."

Enzo’s expression didn’t change.

His voice was as cold as ice.

"I don’t play games here..”

The girl who had tried to slap me swallowed hard and quickly lowered her hand. I folded my arms, watching them with amusement. So now they were scared? Where was all that confidence from before?

Francesca cleared her throat and tried again.

"She started it," she said, her voice softer this time. "She insulted us first."

Enzo turned to me. "Did you insult them?"

I was utterly surprised.

Why was he trying to seek my own opinion.

I met his gaze without hesitation. "I just told them the truth." I shrugged.

"That they look fake."

Enzo almost laughed, but he caught himself and kept a straight face. "Leave now," he said sternly, his voice firm and commanding.

Francesca’s face turned red. She clearly didn’t want to back down in front of me. But one look at Enzo’s expression, and she changed her mind.

I blinked, my heart hammering in my chest as I watched Enzo step between me and Francesca’s minion.

Had I misheard?

Was he really defending me?

The shock must have been evident on my face, but I quickly masked it. I couldn't afford to show weakness, not in front of them. Not in front of Francesca, who was already glaring at Enzo like he had committed the ultimate betrayal.

“What…?” Her voice was sharp, dripping with disbelief. Then, louder and angrier, she yelled.

“Are you seriously defending her, Enzo?”

I swallowed, forcing myself to stay still, to keep my expression neutral. I didn’t want to react. I didn’t want to acknowledge how his presence had shifted the entire atmosphere.

But Enzo didn’t even look at Francesca. His cold gaze was locked onto me.

“She is beneath us,” Francesca spat, her fists trembling at her sides.

“She is nothing, Enzo! A prisoner, a filthy remnant of the D’Angelo scum you vowed to destroy. So why..”

“You talk too much, Francesca.”

His words sliced through the air, sharp and final.

I didn’t flinch, but Francesca did.

I could feel the way her anger vibrated off her in waves, her pride taking a heavy hit. Her minions were dead silent, caught in the storm brewing between them.

This wasn’t what she had expected.

Hell, even I hadn’t expected this.

“What is this?” Francesca scoffed, arms crossed tightly. “Since when did the mighty Enzo become a guard dog for a prisoner?”

I stiffened slightly, my fingers twitching at my sides.

I wasn’t sure what Enzo would say.

Would he deny it? Would he push me away just to prove a point?

“Or would he..” I thought

“Watch your mouth, Francesca.”

His voice was colder than I had ever heard it.

“I don’t repeat myself.”

I saw the flicker of hesitation in Francesca's eyes..

She turned her glare onto me, and I knew exactly what was going through her mind.

She hated me.

Because ever since I stepped into this house, things had changed.

And worst of all, the power she once had was slipping from her grasp.

“I would make sure you pay heavily for this..” she warned me before walking away with her friends.

I narrowed my gaze to Enzo who was staring at me all these while.

“Why did you decide to defend  me?”

“You literally chose me over Francesca” I asked him and he let out a low chuckle which made my stomach grumble.

“Are you scared on my behalf?”

“I am scared that you would have no one to warm your bed tonight…”

“I am scared that you you would be lonely anytime soon since you decided to choose me over her..”

Enzo let out a low chuckle.

“Don't flatter yourself, Diana..” he said smoothly.

I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes. "Excuse me?"

He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "I didn’t save you because I care," he said. "I saved you because you belong to me."

My stomach twisted, and not in a good way. "I don’t belong to anyone, Enzo," I snapped.

His gaze turned colder. "Then stop walking around like you’re free as air."

I clenched my fists. "I can walk wherever I damn well please."

His lips curved into a smirk, but there was no warmth in it. "Is that so?"

I lifted my chin. "Yes."

"Then let's see how far you get."

Before I could even react, Enzo moved.

One second I was standing, and the next, I was being lifted into his arms.

A gasp escaped me as he carried me effortlessly, one arm under my knees, the other wrapped firmly around my back.

"What the hell, Enzo?!" I yelled, struggling against his grip.

He didn’t even flinch. "Since you don’t listen, I’ll handle things my way."

"Put me down!" I demanded, pushing against his chest.

"Enzo, I swear to—"

"Keep fighting, Diana," he murmured, his voice low.

"You will  only make this more fun for me."

I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

I opened my mouth to argue, but he had already carried me up the stairs, and straight into my room.

With one smooth motion, he dropped me onto the bed.

I bounced slightly, glaring up at him.

“How dare you?”

I sat up on the bed, breathing heavily, heart racing like I’d just sprinted ten miles.

“You’re insane,” I spat, brushing my hair from my face. “You can’t just throw me over your shoulder like I’m some sack of potatoes!”

His eyes darkened. “You’re my prisoner, Diana. And you’re not allowed to parade around like you belong here.”

I scoffed, standing to face him. “So that’s what this is? A cage with golden sheets and expensive threats?”

“You are a prisoner,” Enzo repeated,