Page 144 of Enzo

“She’s dragging the Knight name through mud.”

“How?”

“Her father is a convicted criminal. She’s after your money, that’s all she wants. Don’t let her delude you into—”

“She’s not doing anything. I’m not deluded. In fact, my mind has never been clearer.”

“You need to get your carcass back here, boy. We have serious reputation management to do.”

I laugh. “What reputation control do I need to worry about?” I inhale a deep breath. “Molly hasn’t done anything. And neither have I.”

He doesn’t say a word.

“I am coming back,” I tell him. “To see Mama.”

I hear him gasp. “Is Isabella is here?”

He didn’t know. It doesn’t matter that he didn’t. Or that Rio and Matteo wouldn’t have wanted him to know

I’m sick of keeping secrets.

I’m sick of hiding.

“I’ll let you know when I’m ready to talk.” I hang up, placing my hands on the countertop. I think I’ve overboiled the pasta. Molly comes up behind me, pressing her chest into my back. Her arms slide around me.

“What’s up?”

I turn around and slide my arms around her waist. “The pasta seems overdone.”

She lifts a shoulder. “I don’t mind. Mine is always soggy.”

I’m not too worried about the pasta. There’s something else I need her to know. “I’m going back to New York tomorrow. Need to sort out a few things.”

“You’re leaving?”

“I don’t want to.”

“I don’t want you to.” She gives me a sad smile.

An idea pops into my head. “Would you like to come?” I really don’t want to leave her here all by herself.

“Yes.” She nods. “Yes, please.”

Her answer fills me with a sense of peace I desperately need. Her eyes are still shadowed with sadness. But I’m determined to prove to her that her sunny outlook on life is a good thing.

I lean down and press a kiss to her lips. I can’t make today’s trauma disappear for her, but I can be with her and help her find her footing again. I caused damage all those years ago when I showed Mama the photo. I kept quiet, because Mama told me to never talk about it.

Molly dealt with her childhood in her own way. She learned to be useful. To keep things calm. Not to rock the boat.

Maybe we aren't as different as I thought.

Molly chose sunshine.

I chose control.

Chapter 40

MOLLY