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Dad was in the living room talking in private with Enzo and, from the sounds of it, in Italian.
“Give them a second more alone,” Mom said, holding me back from entering the room.
“Don’t tell me he’s lecturing him? Threatening him that if something happens to me yada-yada-yada?” I asked her with worry, because that was the last thing Enzo needed right now.
“No, not at all. He’s giving his blessing.”
Well, that wasn’t what I’d been expecting her to say, but I was all for it.
Mom looked over at the two men, then focused back on me. “Enzo was tasked long ago to keep you and your sister safe, and your father’s worried Enzo may feel as though he’s crossing some type of line by loving you, which he so clearly does. And who are we to stand in the way of true love?”
I needed to hear that. I hadn’t realized just how much until now. “You’re turning over that new leaf for real this time, hmm?”
She smirked. “A work in progress.”
Her words brought me back to Enzo saying the same thing in New York. My man ... my everything. I just wished I didn’t get the feeling something was still bothering him and he was keeping it from me. “I thought we were done with secrets.” Shit, did I say that out loud?
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Ignore me. I’m tired.”
“Mm-hmm. Well, I overheard Natalia talking to you on the phone yesterday, and you told her you’re having nightmares. Bet you haven’t told Enzo that.”
“It was one nightmare. And now Enzo’s back with me, so I’m sure I’ll be fine.” I hoped I would be, at least. But who could blame me? I’d had to watch Enzo take lives to protect us, and then he’d been ripped away from me by the FBI. That was the definition of “a lot.”
“I’m just relieved Thomas wasn’t part of whatever happened.”
I folded my arms. “You really did a lot of eavesdropping on my conversation with Natalia Saturday, I see.” I’d texted Thomas on my way home that I was back and had Chiara. He’d yet to answer, and I hadn’t heard from him all weekend, which was shocking, so I had to assume he was still out of town.
“I think we should head out and give Maria and Enzo some privacy,” Mom said a moment later, more than likely trying to dodge a lecture from me about her invading my privacy. So much for the new leaf.
Mom and I joined Enzo and my father, and my gaze landed on our luggage by the couch. Bianca’s unedited story was inside Enzo’s bag, but he said he wasn’t ready to read it.
When I looked up at him, his eyes were on me, and there was that uneasy look from him again. What was going on?
“Well, we’re glad to have you home.” Dad came over and hooked his arm around me, pulling me in for a side hug. We all exchanged our goodbyes a few seconds later, and once they were gone, Enzo closed the door and kept his back to it.
“How’d it go with my dad?” I reached for his hand and threaded our fingers together, and he pulled me to him, our linked palms the only thing between our bodies as he dropped his focus to my mouth.
“It went better than I expected.” He bent in and kissed me, and I wished it would have been enough to melt away my lingering worries, but nothing short of a promise from him everything was okay would do that.
When he lifted his mouth from mine, he palmed my cheek with his free hand.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered, drawing my eyes closed as I waited for him to drop bad news on me, and I could feel it coming.
He slid his thumb over the line of my lips. “I just need to check something on my work computer next door.”
“Your laptop for catering? Or are you planning to go into your Batman lair?” I opened my eyes while pulling away, searching his gaze for comfort and security, but I didn’t find it.
“There’s one possible loose end. I could be worrying for nothing. I hope I am. But I need to make a call and look into something, and there’s no need to unnecessarily worry you if it’s nothing.” He lifted our palms and kissed the top of my hand. “I don’t want to leave you alone, though. Maybe wake Chiara and you two come with me?”
“I’m just next door. Nothing will happen. And I think you’re being paranoid, and there are no loose ends.” I let go of his hand. “Please. The sooner you close the book on your concerns, the better for us all.”
His shoulders fell. “Don’t open the door for anyone but me. I don’t care if it’s a neighbor. No one. Got it?”
“Yes, sir.” That was supposed to come across as sexy and teasing, to help ease his nerves and produce a smile, but he was clearly on edge, because his lips remained in a harsh line.
“The walls are thin,” he went on. “You shout, call, scream at the top of your lungs if you have to if something is wrong. I’ll try and be quick, but come over with Chiara if she wakes before I’m back.”
