“Isolde. It’s good to see you.” Then, turning back to Enzo: “Come on. We have a lot to discuss.”
Nausea twists in my gut as we follow him into his office. The door shuts behind us with a heavy thud.
My brows furrow when I spot a man standing in the corner, blond hair hanging messily over his forehead and a playful smile on his face.
“Isolde, it’s good to finally meet you.”
My eyes widen.
My feet carry me forward on instinct, sending me crashing hard into him as he wraps his arms around me.
“Cam!”
He pulls back, hands shooting up into a placating gesture. I turn, finding Enzo shooting daggers from across the room. His lips are pressed into a firm line; arms crossed in front of him.
I roll my eyes, bouncing over to him and dragging him over to Cam. “Cam this is Enzo, Enzo this is Cam. He’s my handler.”
Cam sticks his hand out. Enzo stares at it for a beat before shaking it. His grip looks a little too tight; the thought solidified when Camwinces.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as we settle into seats opposite Massimo’s desk.
Cam and Massimo share a look, one that has my heart racing.
“Phoenix,” Massimo starts, and confusion churns in my gut. “It was set up by me.”
Enzo tenses beside me.
My mouth opens and closes. “I… What? Um… I don’t?”
Cam sighs. “I wanted to tell you, knowing your history with the Russo’s. But Max swore me to secrecy.”
I twist my neck toward Enzo who’s sitting stock still. “Did you know?”
He slowly shakes his head, eyes not leaving his papa’s.
“Why wouldn’t you tell me?” I ask, turning back to Massimo.
“The organization works because of the secrecy. No one knows who works for us, even those that are part of it. It keeps me, you,everyonesafe. I really expected you to slip up and tell Lorenzo when you turned up. But you didn’t. Your papa would be incredibly proud of all you’ve achieved with us, Isolde.”
I swallow hard, grief causing tears to burn behind my eyes.
“We set up Phoenix together, you know.”
I shake my head. “You knew my papa?”
Massimo nods, his eyes filled with quiet understanding. “Yes, we grew up together. Alessio, Salvatore, and me—best friends.”
Enzo chimes in for the first time since the conversation began. “How did I not know any of this?”
“Like I said, the secrecy is what keeps this group running. I would have told you before you took over as boss.”
“Why are you telling us now?” I ask.
Cam leans forward, placing a soothing hand over mine. “Because you deserve to know. And with Lucas still out there, we want you as informed as possible.”
Bile threatens to rise. "Speaking of Lucas," I start, waiting for everyone's attention. "I found out how he knew who I was."
Massimo motions for me to continue.
