Only I had confirmation of Enzo’s secret—that he had an active profile on an LGBTQ+ hookup app called Queerdr—also known as queer Tinder—a location-based app for casual sex.
One day Enzo got matched with a good friend of mine, Calvin. And even though they never ended up meeting, it was enough for me to give Enzo a call and yell at him to change his profile picture, username, and other dead giveaways that could reveal his identity. Enzo swore up and down he wasn’t gay—that he was just, and I quote,conducting important research.
The younger Ferrante brother tossed a careless shoulder in response.
“With this, we bury the Bratva and Camorra’s feud,” Achilles continued.
Katya blushed, still staring at Achilles with big, adoring blue eyes. It didn’t take a genius to figure out neither the groom nor the bride was happy about this union.
“This also concludes Jeremie’s time with us,” Achilles announced pointedly, staring down the Russian with a glare as deadly as bullets.
Jeremie didn’t balk as their gazes clashed. “I’m staying in New York.”
“Says who?”
“Saysme.”
“You have no authority in this decision.” Luca’s rough voice knifed through the tension. My spine snapped to attention, my eyes ping-ponging across the table. “You’re a mere soldier. A Rasputin, but a soldier. Alex calls the shots.”
Oh, goodie. I haven’t even touched my champagne and already, they’re serving tea.
“I do, actually. No New York, no Katya; no Katya, no alliance.” Jeremie’s brusque tone raised goose bumps on every arm in the room. His voice was so monotone, so assured, Satan himself wouldn’t defy him. “And no alliance means war. Long. Bloody. And one that lacks any rules or regulations. Alex may be the decision-maker, but I can pull a lot of strings and cause a lot of trouble, given the time and inclination.” A wicked glint ignited his sapphire pupils. “Don’t give me both. It’s either a full-blown war, or we do shit my way. Now, go call Lyosha and let him know I’m still needed here.”
Jeremie’s shoulder kissed Sofia’s ever so slightly, and color shot to her tan cheeks. I blinked in disbelief. Fiery tension crackled between the two like live, uncontrollable fire. Even the silverware on the table could tell there was something going on.
Were they in love? If so, it didn’t seem like Luca knew or cared.
Achilles and Luca exchanged frowns. Luca seemed exasperated but hardly bothered. He sighed, taking out his pistol and kicking back Sofia’s chair in one smooth movement. She sailed backward, her back crashing against the wall. Luca now had a clear shot at Jeremie. Sofia yelped, her body jerked forward. She was itching to throw herself between them but stopped short.
Lila stood and rushed to Sofia to make sure she was okay. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Jeremie’s eyes shot fire.
“She’spregnant.”
“My baby, my business.” Luca pointed his .45 at Jeremie. “Now, you’re getting the fuck outta here, either in a body bag or with an arm shot. Choose wisely.”
“Oh, Santo Cielo!” Chiara tossed her napkin on the table. “Of course my children couldn’t give me one decent meal without bullets flying around.”
“How about a cig break?” I turned to Enzo after it was obvious Sofia wasn’t hurt. He took one dispassionate glance at the dessert he knew he wasn’t going to touch in a million years before pocketing his cigarette pack. “Sure.”
We made our exit to the sound of Jeremie and Luca negotiating. I was over that entire screwed-up family. Not that my family was better—far from it. But at least there weren’t so many of us.
When we reached the backyard, we settled on the lounge chairs by the pool. Enzo lit a joint and took a hit, passing it on to me.
“This marriage is not going to bode well for anyone.” I inhaled until the smoke reached the bottom of my lungs, handing the joint back to him. “I’m worried you’re trying to prove something to yourself by going along with it.”
“Jesus, Tier.” He shot me alower your voiceglare, even though we were clearly alone. “I don’t even know if I’m…you know.”
“Enzo…”
I didn’t pretend to know him any more than he knew himself, but I did know that Enzo Ferrante was passionate about all things he did and touched—from killing his enemies, to protecting his family. Everything he did, he did fiercely. It made no sense at all that he’d be so dim, so disinterested when it came to love. Unless, of course, he’d been molded and forced to try to love the wrong people.
“It’s true. I’m straight.I am.I’m just…intrigued. Variety is the spice of life, after all.”
I didn’t even bother answering him. Just shot him areally? look.
The tips of his ears, which were oddly perfect, like the rest of him, turned red. “I’ve never even kissed a man, let alone been with one. So far, I’ve only talked with them on the app.”
“Well, what brings you to flirt with men online?”
