Page 145 of Enzo

We flew to New York earlier this morning.

But as we reach the apartment black where Enzo lives, we see a big group of journalists are gathered outside.

I feel surrounded, boxed in, with people clamoring and shouting as we get out of the car. Some men, Enzo’s bodyguards, I presume, get us to safety. As soon as we’re inside his apartment, the clamor dies down.

Enzo’s brothers rush to him.

My heart melts.

Enzo has people here—his siblings. Family who love him and care about him. I understand why family means so much to him. They ask him how he is. He says he’s fine, then introduces me.

“Where's Mama?” he asks.

“She's back at the apartment,” Rio replies, making himself comfortable on the large sofa. His other brother, the one who with longer, softer, tousled hair, leans against one of the bar stools.

“I bought the damn apartment for her,” Rio says. “Now she has no excuse not to stay.”

“You bought it for her?” Enzo looks stunned. “How bad was it in Soave?”

I knew that’s what he’d be thinking. That his mother was hounded out of her place and that’s why she’s had to move here.

“Not as bad as this, but I didn’t want her there,” Rio answers.

“How bad has it been here?” Enzo asks.

“It's been insane,” Matteo answers. “The press have been camped outside here and the offices ever since this broke.”

Enzo turns to me. “It's not because of you. You must realize that.”

He tries to reassure me, but there’s a clear line between the videos going viral, then me bringing even more attention in returning the mask.

Enzo addresses his brothers again. “Father is furious.”

Rio throws his hand up in the air, dismissively. “He’s pissed. He wasn't going to be too happy about this, because it’s all coming out again, the past, Aurora and Mama.”

Enzo groans.

“We should go,” Matteo suggests, getting up from the bar stool. “You guys should get some rest.”

“We’ll talk tomorrow. Come over for dinner.” Rio scratches his beard. “I’d invite you over now but Raquel’s not feeling too good.”

“She okay?” Enzo asks.

Rio gets up. “Work pressure. She needs some rest.”

“Rest up at home for another day or so,” Matteo suggests.

Enzo walks over to see them out of the door. “I can’t. I’m heading into the office because I need to see Father.”

“About what?” Both his brothers turn around and ask at the same time.

“To clear up a few things.”

“Want to talk about those things at work, before you go and see him?” Rio asks. I can see his protective side and his concern for Enzo.

“I need to do this alone,” Enzo insists. “

“Have it your way, dude.”