“Which is?”
“Look, Althea’s brother was taken a long time ago, and it looks like Gianni was involved, if not at fault. That’s why Althea went to see The Bishop. She was looking for information, and apparently, he knew something. Or he made her believe he did.”
“And you believe Gianni kidnapped Caspien Drakos’s son? Do you hear yourself, Enzo? My Pop and Nonno would never condone taking a kid,” Nazario says angrily.
“Gianni didn’t much care if what he did was condoned or not. He did whatever the fuck he wanted in his grand plan to be the next underboss,” I grumble. Naz grunts his agreement. “The only person I know who would have any information on Gianni and his crimes is Maurice. Nonno and my mom were close. She wouldn’t let Gianni get away with something like that. Children are off limits. It’s why he did what he did to her. She always stood between his rage and us.”
Memories of her busted lips and blackened eyes flash through my mind. It happened too many times to count, but the memories never leave.
“Fuck. Does Caspien know anything about this? Does he suspect us? Is that why he sent his daughter to spy on us?” Nazario’s thoughts are spiraling, and if I don’t reel him in he’s going to issue an order I will have to disobey.
“No. How’s Santo?” I change the subject.
“What? Oh, he’s good. He’s home. We had a nurse brought in to take care of him, which he is stubbornly fighting the entire way, but I don’t give a fuck. If it makes Mama happy to have himlooked after, then he can suck it up.” Naz chuckles. “I may have some information about Pop’s murder. I’m not sure yet. I’ll let you know when you get back what I’ve learned. In the meantime, I’ll try to keep Caspien Drakos in the dark while you do whatever the hell it is you’re about to do.”
“Got it.”
“What are you about to do, Enzo?”
“Well, depending on what we find out, I’m pretty sure I’m getting married.”
21
ALTHEA
The sound of Enzo’s gruff voice arguing with someone wakes me. I’m tucked up under the warmest comforter, surrounded by a very familiar scent, but something about the bed is not right.
The last thing I remember is being in Enzo’s bed at The Mansion, restrained while he played my body like an instrument, edging me.Annoying me.But this isn’t his room or The Mansion. This room is much smaller, and there’s a faint humming sound coming from somewhere. I’m not sure where.
“I know Naz. I know. But it was the only way to benefit both sides and prevent war,” Enzo says. He’s sitting slumped over at the foot of the bed with his back to me. His shoulders sag. “I’ll call you when we land.” Enzo hangs up his phone and drops his face into his hands. His voice sounds tight and tired. I want to reach out and wrap my arms around him, but with my hands ti…
I take inventory of my body.
I’m not tied up.
My ankles are free. My head feels foggy, and my limbs are heavy, but wherever we are, Enzo doesn’t feel the need to restrain me. And suddenly it all clicks into place.
“Motherfucker!” I shout. “You drugged me!” My voice comes out scratchy, and my throat is dry. “Did you … did we?”
My mouth is so dry. Enzo must realize this because he’s quick on his feet and brings me an unopened bottle of water. I take it hesitantly.
“Drink, baby. There’s nothing in there but water. Look. The seal’s not broken,” he urges.
Logically, I know he didn’t tamper with it, but forgive me for being a little leery of the sneaky asshole. I twist off the cap and down half the bottle, panting when I put it down. “Thank you.”
Enzo nods.
He turns to look at me. “And for the record, I wouldn’t have to drug you to fuck you, Althea. We both know that. But to answer your question,” he pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out a long, tired-sounding sigh. “No, I didn’t fuck you. We have shit to get sorted before we do that and …”
“We’renotdoing that.”
His eyes snap to mine, and the cocky bastard smirks. I pull myself into a seated position to create some space between us. He’s quick, and I’m exhausted. That’s when I notice I’m wearing a black hoodie and a pair of gray sweatpants.
“Where did these clothes come from?” Not just any clothes, butmyclothes. I cross my legs and tuck my hands into the front pocket of the hoodie.
“Liam brought them to The Mansion. I dressed you before we left for the plane.”
“Liam?” I’m confused. “Why did Liam bring you, my clothes? How did he even know where I was? Drew?”
