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“This is pointless.” I stand and turn to walk out.

She stands in a rush. “Don’t go, please. I don’t know how to navigate this with Giuliano. I need your help.”

I stop still.

“Hate me all you want, but please don’t turn your back on him. You are his only family. He is your brother, Enrico.”

I close my eyes, disgusted with the position I find myself in.

“Can I bring him to you? Just meet him. Please. Just once. I won’t tell him who you are. He doesn’t find out anything for another three years yet, but I do need to prepare him. When the time comes and he finds out the truth, he will turn his back on me. If he doesn’t have the love and support of his brothers, he will be all alone in the world.” Her voice cracks. “He is just a child.”

I stare at the wall in front of me.

“Please, Enrico. If not for us, do it for your father.”

I close my eyes, knowing my conscience is getting in the way of my better judgement.

“Bring him to my house on Sunday afternoon,” I say flatly with my back to her.

“Thank you.”

I stand with my back to her for a few minutes, we don’t speak, we don’t move… eventually, when I can’t take the silence anymore, I walk out of the house. That is the first and last time I will ever come here.

OLIVIA

“So?” Natalie raises her glass my way. “Tell me everything.”

I smile at my inquisitive friend. We’re in a bar, after work, having a few drinks. Enrico is picking me up in half an hour.

“About?” I ask.

She leans in and whispers, “You know… the creepy bodyguard.”

“Him.” I roll my eyes in disgust. “He’s not a bodyguard. He works for Enrico.”

“Doing what?”

I frown. “I don’t even know, to be honest.”

“Are you sure he was in your bathroom?”

“No.” I shrug and glance around at Maso and Marley, who are leaning up against the wall at the front of the bar, watching me from a safe distance. “Maybe I imagined the whole thing. It does seem random, doesn’t it?”

“Did he seem creepy the night you met him? When he asked for your number.”

“No, but then he gave me the look that day at Enrico’s. It seemed so out of order, and it threw me.”

“The come-fuck-me look?”

“Uh-huh.” I sip my drink and shrug. “I don’t know; I’m probably imagining the entire thing. He could be married with five kids.”

“Where’s your other friend gone—the gay guy?” She frowns.

“Oh, Giorgio has been in Roma. He comes back this week.”

“How long has he been gone for?”

“Two weeks, I think. He works between the two offices. I’m looking forward to him coming back. I’ve missed him.” I smile as I watch my friend, and I tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. “You look well, Nat. Milan agrees with you.”