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He gave a single solemn nod, seeming satisfied for the moment. There was still distance between us, but it felt like healing steps had been taken tonight. Progress would keep happening gradually, but the bond felt strong.
I left Dad' dark office soon after, wired with energy despite the late hour. Everything was shifting now in ways I'd only dreamed of before. No more being caged and silenced as some doll. The tide turned today - I could feel destiny like electricity in the air around me.
But I still needed one last cherry on top - to share how tonight went down with my dear brother Enzo. He'd be so pumped, always having treated me as an equal and believing I was destined for more than playing dress-up. I couldn't waitto see Enzo's proud smile come morning, really cementing my victories.
I barely slept, too juiced anticipating Enzo's reaction. Dawn had just broken when I couldn't take it no more. I dressed in a flash and headed for the private clinic where he was recovering.
The shiny clean hospital was mostly empty this early, my heels echoing loud down the halls. I nodded briskly at the night guard by Enzo's room who looked sleepy but didn't stop me.
Inside, pale morning light showed Enzo sitting up reading some papers. He glanced up as I came in, looking surprised then smiling warmly.
"You're here early, lil sis. Everything cool?" He set aside the paperwork, brow furrowing some as he searched my face.
I waved off his concern, plopping eagerly beside him. "More than cool. Wait'll you hear about last night!" I launched into the play-by-play, hands waving excitedly as I told it.
Enzo listened intently, clear satisfaction dawning on his face the longer I spoke. He barked a laugh when I described making the crusty old bosses squirm under my stare.
"There it is. I knew Dad couldn't hide his baby raptor's claws forever," Enzo chuckled when I finished. His expressionsoftened as he took my hand. "So happy for you, Nat. About time."
I glowed at his praise, the final proof last night's triumphs had been real. "Wish you could've been there too. We always talked about changing things together someday."
Enzo squeezed my hand. "I was there with you in spirit. Couldn't be prouder of you blazing your own trail. Shake up all those old dudes and their rules." A shadow passed over his face as he muttered "Lord knows it's needed..."
I tilted my head, sensing real unease beneath Enzo's remarks. Before I could ask more, he put on an easy smile, changing topics brightly. "But enough shop talk! Tell me more 'bout these mystery cronies Dad's courting. Any juicy details?"
Eager to keep our upbeat mood, I dished more gossip about the rich, tight-lipped dudes at dinner, especially the one who dominated.
I shared more fun details about chatting up Dad's advisors, saving the biggest news for last - that the ultra-mysterious Rossi family had shown up.
I'd barely uttered the guy's family name when Enzo jolted sharply, face paling. He stared at me with sudden naked fear that stopped me cold
The second I said "Rossi", Enzo went rigid, smile vanishing. He grabbed my hand so tight it hurt. "The Rossis were there?" he demanded hoarsely.
.
I stared at him in alarm. "Ow, hey... Enzo, what's wrong?" He looked freaked, eyes haunted and far away.
"It's them..." he rasped vaguely, seeming momentarily lost in darkness, gaze hollow. He passed a shaky hand over his face before refocusing on me intensely.
"Promise me you'll be real careful with that family, Nat. No matter what opportunities or power Father says they offer." He hesitated, jaw clenched. "There are shadows there even we can't stand against."
I frowned, uneasy at the cryptic warning but sensing his real fear. I'd never seen unflappable Enzo so shaken. Clearly the name I'd said struck a nerve.
"Okay, I'll be careful," I agreed slowly, stifling my burning curiosity. This talk clearly distressed him. I forced an easy tone instead. "How 'bout we switch topics to nicer things?"
Enzo finally released his death-grip on my poor hand. Some of the color came back to his face. "Sorry. Guess all this downtime is making me paranoid. You should just forget it."
But we both knew there was more to it than that. Whatever sinister vibe the Rossis gave off, it had Enzo shook. I didn't like seeing my fearless big bro so rattled. But I could tell he wasn't ready to explain more yet, so I let it go for now.
"No more doom and gloom stuff allowed!" I announced brightly instead. "Tell me what kind of ice cream they have here so I can sneak you some from the cafeteria for being such an awesome brother."
Enzo cracked a small, grateful smile at my attempt to lighten the mood. The shadows didn't disappear from his eyes completely though.
I stayed a while longer, determined to regain our upbeat spirits. Watching Enzo's smile gradually return over harmless gossip felt like a small win pushing back the darkness he clearly feared encroaching.
But when I eventually left for the day, unease still gnawed at me. Who exactly were these influential new cronies that inspired such dread in world-weary Enzo?
For now, I tucked away my questions and the grim sense that dark secrets still lurked beneath the shiny surface of even my family's dealings. Hard truths existed that even my new authority probably couldn't illuminate yet. But dangerous as it felt, maybe my time had come to shine a light on shady deeds and demand accountability.
