"Because he is stupid when it comes to you. Stupid in love." And she manages a watery giggle.
"No, he's just stubborn. And you're here too. How's your hand?"
"It's my fighting hand, but I'm betting I can still wield a bow." She sighs. "I'd play up a storm, and badly, just to drive him mad."
"Who?"
She thinks about it. "Dom. Da-Mario. Enzo."
"It's going to be all right. And I bet even Mario is panicking and working out a way to rescue you."
"I'm mad at him and at Enzo, don't get me wrong. But the person I'm most mad at, and struggling with, is Mom. I'm the product of her betrayal. Like, put a lid on it and have a baby with your husband. Ugh. How am I meant to feel? How should I? And how can I expect everyone not to hate me?"
"Why would anyone hate you, Lyndall? You can't help who created you. And just say Enzo and Mario always knew. Haven't they always been there?"
"Mario hates me."
"You're also a teenager. If he always hated you, I think you'd be indifferent."
"Maybe."
I shift gears a little and go with the easier option. "Enzo's always loved you, always has a room for you, even offered you his home."
"I sort of forced it."
I laugh. "I don't think he does things he doesn't want to."
"You think?"
"Iknow! Enzo will always be there for you, no matter what."
And I realize as I say this, that I'm not actually angry at him. Not really. I totally get why he kept this a secret, especially considering how fragile our relationship has been.
With the rest? I see now how he's done so much for me over the years, worked so hard to keep me safe.
And now there's Squish.
I hope I get the chance to mend things with Enzo.
I hope and pray I live that long.
Because I... I love him.
I'm in love with Enzo.
Chapter Thirty-Four
ENZO
"Welcome, welcome."Edoardo opens the door himself to his brownstone in Manhattan.
It looks from the street like any one of the beautiful and wealthy brownstones, but when we step inside, I can appreciate the man's splashy wealth.
Drugs and trafficking must really pay off. Still, he has other sources of income, and the trafficking is just a rumor.
Still, I hold rumors in this world as gospel until proven otherwise.
The place is dripping with money and is tasteful, too.
