Everything else could wait.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Motionless, Kathleen stared at the doorway, willing Enzo to walk through it. Where was he? The sound of a boat reached them, and she turned to see a motorboat flying away from the cliff.
Her hammering heart nearly drowned out the fear screaming in her head as she identified Rocco and Bianca in the boat. Did that mean…she couldn’t finish the thought. It hurt too much. Enzo had to be okay.
“About fucking time,” Jamie said. “What took you so long?”
Kathleen whirled and followed her brother’s gaze to see Enzo coming out of the front door of the villa. “Thank you, Jesus,” she murmured.
She wanted to launch herself into his arms, but something held her back. The cold, hard truth was that she was falling in love with this man. But he was a mobster. A man who lived on the edge. She should walk away. Every instinct told her if she did, if she left him, she’d be safe. That move would keep Connor safe. But she didn’t want to. Against all odds, she wanted to be with him.
Enzo stopped in front of Jamie. “Uptown Slick.”
They did the bro hug thing, and Jamie smiled. “Glad to see you made it out alive. I was starting to have my doubts.”
“Buffoon? Seriously?”
“You remembered, though, didn’t you? It worked.”
“Macao. Yeah, I remembered.” He grinned.
“I’m glad you’re safe.” The smile slid off her brother’s face, and he leaned in close to Enzo. “I want to kill you for putting Kathleen in danger. You could have gotten her killed.”
He wasn’t joking.
Not even a hint of a smile gentled the harshness of his words.
Enzo met Jamie’s glare with one of his own. “I could say the same thing back to you. Vitale targeted her as a backup plan so he could get the money to pay off his debts. He doesn’t have to worry about that now, by the way. He’s past worrying about anything.”
“Don’t you talk to me about my sister,” Jamie growled.
Kathleen started forward, but Mackie grabbed her arm. “Look, I don’t know you, but I know men. I grew up with two alphas for brothers. You have to let them work this out between themselves. Interfering won’t go well for anyone because they’ll think you’re picking sides.”
“She’s right,” Alex agreed. “Men. You gotta let them get all that macho shit sorted for themselves.”
Kathleen wanted to argue with the other woman, but as she studied the two men, she knew Mackie was right. They needed to sort this out themselves. She blew out a long breath and went over to stand next to the SUV.
“They’ll figure it out,” Logan said with a smile.
“Yeah. I’m just worried one of them will get hurt.”
She glanced over at Dominic, who was standing next to the back of the SUV. “What will happen to him?”
Logan shrugged. “He has several outstanding warrants in a few countries. I’ve already put in a call to Interpol about him. They’ll come get him.”
Kathleen cocked her head. “Where are the cops?”
Logan smiled. “I’ve made a few calls. They’re likely waiting until they get confirmation that it’s all over before they come charging up here. It’s a delicate situation with Mendoza rumored to be arriving. No one is in a rush to take control of the situation. They’ll be along once someone higher up the food chain arrives.”
Kathleen grunted. “Figures.”
“Doesn’t it just,” Logan agreed.
Enzo wasn’t about to back down. Jamie wasn’t completely wrong, but neither was he. And suddenly, something inside him snapped.
“Someone has to say this to you,” Enzo said, his voice tight. Then the dam broke. Consequences be damned. “You protect her too much.”
