And that tells me everything I need to know about who really has power here.
Enzo watches until both cars disappear around the bend before walking back to my car and tapping on the window.
"You can come out now."
I unlock the doors and get out on unsteady legs. "How did you know I was here?"
"My people have been keeping an eye on things since those men left the village this morning. When they followed your car, we followed them."
"Your people were watching me?"
"We've been watching them," he corrects. "You happened to be in their path."
It's a reasonable explanation, but something about it feels incomplete. Still, I'm so relieved to see him that I don't question it further.
"They wanted me to give you a message," I say.
His expression darkens. "What message?"
"Something about partnerships and boundaries needing to be respected. They said you'd understand what they meant."
"I understand." His voice is cold in a way I've never heard before. "What else did they say?"
"They thought I was lying about not knowing what business they were talking about. They kept referring to tourism development like it was some kind of joke."
Enzo and Emilio exchange a look that I can't interpret.
"They threatened me," I continue. "Said if I was lying about what I know, things would be very bad for me. But I don't know what they think I know. I told them I’m not involved with your businesses."
"You don't need to know anything," Enzo says firmly. "This is a business dispute between men who have different ideas about how things should be handled. It has nothing to do with you."
"But they made it about me. They said next time they might have a longer conversation with your 'pet americana.'"
His hands clench at his sides. "They said that?"
"Yes. What did they mean?"
"They meant to intimidate you in order to send me a message. It won't happen again."
The certainty in his voice is both reassuring and slightly terrifying.
"Can you drive?" he asks. “Or do you want one of my men to drive you?”
"I can drive. I’m fine.”
"Follow me back to the village. Stay close."
The drive back to Monte Vento is surreal. Enzo drives slowly, checking his rearview mirror constantly, while Emilio follows behind me in another car. I feel like I'm in the middle of some kind of protection detail, which doesn't make sense.
When we reach the village, Enzo pulls over near my house and walks back to my car.
"Are you certain you're unharmed?" he asks as I get out.
"Physically, yes. But I'm confused and scared."
"Understandable. Don’t worry. This unfortunate situation will be resolved."
"What situation? I still don't understand what just happened."
