She squeals as I pounce, pulling her into me and wrapping my arms tightly around her. “This what you wanted?”
Her shoulders shake against my chest. “Yes.”
I kiss her hair, inhaling deeply before I untangle our limbs, standing back up. “Noted.”
“Do you have plans today?” she asks me.
I had planned to track down the other men involved in her assault, but she’s looking at me with wide, longing eyes. “No, what do you want to do?”
“Movie marathon?”
I shake my head, chuckling. “Sure, let me go shower first.”
An hour later, after we’re both clean and changed into ‘comfy clothes’ we settle onto the couch together.
“You’re not in a suit,” she muses, resting her head against my shoulder as she hits play.
“I told you I wear sweatpants sometimes.”
I don’t. The only time I’ve ever worn them was the two weeks I was waiting for her to wake up. If I’m honest, the suits are a little suffocating, the fabric too tight across my chest and pulling uncomfortably over my arms. But wearing anything less would be a scandal. A Mafia man dressed in anything but an impeccably tailored three-piece? Unthinkable. In this world, appearance matters. And Italians? Well, we’re nothing if not stylish.
We end up watching the extended editions of all three Lord of The Rings movies—I remember when the first one came out and we snuck into the cinema to watch it. Izzy was obsessed.
We pause only for food and bathroom breaks.
It’s nice. Mundane. So far removed from the life I lead now. And yet… it also feels normal. Something about Izzy being around again lets me fall back into the boy I used to be. The one before all the violence and bloodshed that now stains my soul.
16
That Was A Mistake
I miss my best friend. I can’t wait for us to be reunited. —Love always, Enzo
Izzy
“Iz!”Enzo’svoiceechoesfrom his office.
I uncross my legs from beneath me, getting up, so I can pad to his office. The tiles are warm under my bare feet.
Pushing open the door without knocking, I find him at his desk, a crease forming between his brows as he glares at his computer screen.
I’m about to ask him what’s wrong when a voice perks up, coming through his phone speaker. “This was everyone I could find of his known associates. Hopefully, you find who you’relooking for.”
“Thanks, Kai. Appreciate it,” Enzo grunts, not taking his eyes off the screen.
“No worries, talk soon.”
The call cuts off.
Silence descends.
“You called for me?” I say, a hint of trepidation creeping in.
Enzo’s eyes snap to where I’m positioned, still in the doorway to the room, unsure whether to come in or leave.
He holds his hand out to me, motioning for me to join him at his desk. As soon as I round it, his palms grasp my hips, pulling me onto his lap, making me gasp.
The screen in front of us is lit up with the faces of men. “What’s this?” I ask.
