“Her own brother?”
“Yes. She and Rocco have never gotten along.” He didn’t go into details. No need for Kathleen to know that it’s really Enzo that Rocco hates, and he’s just using his sister to inflict pain.
“Vitale is…different. His job, how he makes his money, is by introducing like-minded individuals, and he gets a percentage of any deal they make. But he’s mean and a slippery son of a bitch. If he can screw you somehow, he will. And his reach is global. There is no corner of the earth where this man does not have contacts. Calling Jamie will be exactly what he expects you to do. You can call your brother, but just know there’s great risk involved.”
What he didn’t add was the fact that Vitale wanted Kathleen to be a part of this meant he was willing to take on Jameson Drake. That was no small feat, and it smacked of desperation. Which meant there was more to this than met the eye, always the case with Vitale. But this time, whatever is going on had Vitale taking risks he wouldn’t normally. And that made Enzo more nervous than anything else.
Kathleen looked out the window, swallowing hard. She wasn’t crying, but she wasn’t far off. It twisted something in him. Something fierce.
“I’m not trying to frighten you,” Enzo said softly. “I’m trying to be honest.”
“And I’m not trying to be difficult,” Kathleen shot back, voice tight. “But I have a life, Enzo. A son. People who depend on me. I can’t stay wrapped up in some feud?—”
“It’s not just a feud,” he cut in.
“What?” she frowned.
“This isn’t just a family dispute. That’s part of it, but”—he exhaled—“Vitale is… something else. Something worse. He’s a businessman who treats people like assets. Replaceable. Disposable. There is no code. No honor. No boundaries. If he is taking this kind of risk… Dealing with Rocco, being willing to take on your brother, means he’s desperate, which just makes him deadlier. We need to find out more before we can call in any reinforcements. Otherwise, we’re just putting more people like your brother at risk.”
Kathleen went silent, absorbing the words. She turned her head slowly toward him. “And I’m an asset.” It wasn’t a question.
Enzo’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. “You’re leverage.”
She nodded once, sharply, as if anger replaced fear. “Great. Wonderful. Love that for me.”
Despite everything, Enzo almost smiled.Almost.
They drove in tense silence for several moments, the city blurring past.
Finally, Kathleen asked, “So what’s the plan? And don’t give me some macho cryptic answer. I want the actual plan.”
“There isn’t one yet,” Enzo admitted. “I had planned on heading to Mallorca, but now…we have to regroup. I’m starting to think that you might be right. I need to find the treasure.”
“And what? I’m meant to stay there indefinitely?” Her eyes flashed. “While you go off doing God-knows-what?”
“You won’t be alone,” he assured her. “My men will?—”
“That’s not the point,” she snapped.
He paused. “Then what is?”
Kathleen looked at him, vulnerability bleeding through her irritation. “I don’t like being… trapped.” Her voice cracked on the last word.
Something inside Enzo twisted violently. “I know,” he said quietly. “And I’m sorry. I didn’t want this for you.”
She looked away again, blinking fast. “Besides, that’s not what that Dominic guy said. He said Vitale wants me with you.”
Enzo grimaced. She was not wrong. Vitale would want her with Enzo at all times, otherwise, she wasn’t as potent a distraction or a vulnerability. He wanted to slam his fist into Vitale’s face. Or, better yet, his throat. One solid throat punch, and he would never have to worry about Alessandro Vitale again.
The SUV turned down the tree-lined street that led toward Enzo’s compound. His lead car pulled into position behind them. His men scanned the area. Everything looked normal, which meant nothing.
As they passed through the gates, Kathleen exhaled shakily. “I still don’t understand why Vitale cares if I stay with you. What am I to him?”
“Nothing,” Enzo said, parking. “That’s the problem.”
She blinked. “What do you mean?”
“People who mean nothing?” Enzo killed the engine and turned toward her. “They’re the easiest to use.”
