After a few hard punches to the stomach and one to the face, I grab him by the lapels of his jacket.
His nose is bleeding and he's breathing hard, but he's not trying to fight back. Smart kid.
"You're gonna go back to Antonelli and give him a message for me. You tell him that my family is off limits. And tell him that if he comes near them again, I'll burn his entire operation to the ground. Do you understand?"
The man nods frantically. "Yes. I understand."
"And if I see you or anyone else from his crew following me again, I won't be this generous. I'll send you back in pieces."
"I understand. I swear." The whites of his eyes show as I push him and he stumbles backward. Enzo lets him go, and he runs down the alley without looking back.
I watch him disappear around the corner and feel the rage simmering beneath my calm exterior as I rub my knuckles where I struck him.
They're bleeding and probably swollen and bruised, which Angelica will no doubt notice, but the threat is neutralized for tonight.
Antonelli's escalating. He's not just targeting my shipments and operations anymore. He's targeting my family, trying to prove that he can reach them. That he can hurt me through them.
But he doesn't understand what he's dealing with.
I'll do anything to protect Angelica and Sofia and I'll kill anyone who threatens them.
Rico steps beside me. "What do you want to do?"
"Double the security at the villa. I want guards on every entrance and surveillance on every corner. And I want a full report on Antonelli's movements by morning."
"Understood."
I turn and walk back toward the entrance of the church then take a moment to compose myself before I go inside.
I can't let Angelica see that anything's wrong.
I've done so well at keeping the things of my world separate from her, and I have to make sure I maintain that for her sake.
I need her to trust me.
Once I'm composed, I step through the door and return to my seat.
The choir's still singing.
Angelica glances at me and smiles. "You missed the best part."
"I'm sorry. I'll catch the next one."
Sofia leans against my side and whispers, "They sang my favorite carol. The one about the star."
"I'm glad you liked it," I tell her softly, and my throat constricts.
I could really use a glass of that punch right about now.
The performance continues for another fifteen minutes.
When it ends, the audience applauds and the families move toward the refreshment table.
Sofia jumps up and pulls Angelica toward the cookies.
I follow behind and watch her pile three different kinds onto a small plate.
"Only two," Angelica says. "They'll keep you awake all night long." But she has a smile on her face that's full of the Christmas spirit.
