Page 81 of Enzo

“Venice must have been a little break for you.”

Our eyes connect and hold.

“It was.”

His short answers only confirm that he wishes I wasn’t here. I feel silly, like a burden he doesn’t need. “I’m in your way. I should get back.”

His face turns serious as he moves towards me. “Get back to where, Molly? How are you even going to get out of this building? Look at them.” He stands over by the window and looks down. “They'll eat you alive as soon as you step outside. They’ll follow you all the way back to wherever you’re staying. Where are you staying?”

I move closer to the door. “Penelope booked me into a hotel. I forget the name. I have it written down somewhere.”

“I didn't even realize you were talking to Penelope.”

“I ... had some questions about the ... the project.”

He puts his hands into his pockets.

“I saw the before photos, Enzo. You're so talented.”

He shakes his head again, like he has no special abilities.

“Architects, designers and engineers. They did that. Get a good team of them, and the project will be a success.”

“That's not what I mean.”

He's so doggedly determined to underplay his value.

“You saw something where others saw rubbish and decay,” I say softly.

His jaw twitches and I can tell that I've lost him. That he doesn't want to hear this. “Do you mind waiting for me here?” he asks. “I need to talk things through with my brothers.”

I throw my hands up in the air. “I’ve got nothing else to do.”

***

ENZO

I go looking for my brothers and catch sight of Matteo and Zach in one of the nearby meeting rooms, heads together, looking at something. When I walk in, they spring apart. Matteo puts his phone away.

I already know what they were looking at—the new clip that’s gone viral.

“What are you going to do now?” Zach sinks into a chair, smoothing down his tie, acting all innocent.

“I’m trying to figure it out.” I slide into a chair opposite him. “What were you both looking at?”

“Nothing important.”

“Where’s your … friend?” Matteo asks. He’s standing up, leaning against a wall.

“In my office.” I let out a long sigh. Molly turning up at the offices wasn’t on my card for today.

Rio struts in, followed closely by Dex.

“What’s this? A social?” Dex asks. He and Rio slide into empty chairs. “We knocked on your office door. Saw your friend again.”

My insides harden. “Leave her alone for the love of God.” But I’m also curious. “What was she doing?”

Rio clasps his hands together and stretches out his arms. “Staring out of the window.”