CHAPTER 43
A NEW BEGINNING
LILY
Enzo doesn’t have a house.He has a freaking mansion.
He stays quiet about his home, offering barely a word the entire flight. I figure it’s just a modest place on the outskirts of the city, nothing too flashy. From the little he does mention, I piece together that it’s in a ritzy neighborhood, chosen for its top-notch school district for his sister.
But when we pull up to a set of towering gates that part to reveal a sprawling estate, I realize I’ve seriously underestimated him. The mansion sits on several acres of manicured lawn, complete with a grand fountain in front and ivy creeping up its stone walls, giving it an air of old-world charm despite its sleek, modern lines.
“Welcome to Casa de Enzo,” he says with a smirk, swinging open the massive front doors like he’s been waiting this entire time to deliver the line.
Inside, the polished hardwood floors gleam under soft chandelier light, and the ceilings soar high enough to make me feel dizzy. The whole place screams luxury, yetthere’s a warmth to it—an energy that makes it feel less like a showpiece and more like a home.
I laugh, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all. “You were holding out on us this whole time?”
Enzo shrugs and smirks. “I answered all the questions you asked.”
Technically he did, but still. I did not expect… this.
Dylan whistles low. “Man, I could get used to this. Got a room with a view for me?”
“Make yourself at home,” Enzo says, waving his hand dismissively. “But don’t touch my bourbon collection.”
I spin around, my eyes scanning over everything around me. I knew Electric Wounds was successful, but this? This is on an entirely different level. I never imagined anything close to the massive house and grounds Enzo actually owns.
Before I can fully take process my surroundings, we’re interrupted by the pitter-patter of small feet. Sofia, Enzo’s eight-year-old sister, comes barreling down the staircase, her black hair bouncing as she races toward him.
“Enzo!” she squeals, throwing her arms around his neck. He catches her with ease, his tough exterior softening instantly as he hugs her tight.
“Hey, squirt,” he says, ruffling her hair. “Miss me?”
Her emphatic nod is almost comical. “Is this your band?” she asks, her wide-eyed gaze darting toward the rest of us.
“Yeah, this is them,” Enzo says, setting her back on the floor. He steps closer to me, slinging an arm around my waist. “And this is my girlfriend, Lily.”
The wordgirlfriendmakes my cheeks heat, but I can’t help smiling as Sofia’s face lights up. She grins up at me,then her eyes shift to the side, landing on Jax. Her expression changes in an instant—pure awe replacing her excitement.
“You’re Jax!” she exclaims, bouncing on her toes like she might burst. “You’re my favorite! I know all the words to your songs!”
Jax chuckles, crouching down so he’s at eye level with her. “Well, aren’t you full of compliments? Thanks, Sofia. Do you have a favorite song?”
She nods so enthusiastically it looks like her head might fall off. “All of them!”
He laughs, clearly charmed, as she starts talking a mile a minute, telling him about the videos she’s seen online and how she’s begged Enzo to let her come to a concert.
“You’ve got great taste,” Jax says with a warm grin, glancing at Enzo. “Seems like she knows the true star of the show is.”
“She has questionable taste,” Enzo jokes, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
Sofia suddenly twists toward me, her expression hopeful. “Can you brush my hair?” she asks, her big brown eyes wide and pleading. “Enzo’s terrible at it.”
I laugh, glancing at Enzo, who raises his hands in mock defeat. “She’s not wrong,” he says with a smirk.
“Of course,” I reply, reaching for her hand. She grabs it eagerly, pulling me down the hall. “Lead the way, Sofia.”
As we head toward her room, I hear Marcus mutter to Jax, “Man, we’ve got competition. She’s stealing the spotlight already.”
