I didn’t say anything, but fuck, just a friend?
There was no way in hell I could ever be just her friend.
E’s phone buzzed, and he pulled it out.
“Yes? No. He’s not here. OK. I’ll send Cole. Meet him there.” E hung up and looked at me.
“What the fuck is going on now?” I grumbled.
“Elliot said one of the warehouses was broken into. Jake called to tell him. They can’t reach Enzo.”
“Fuck,” I snarled, getting to my feet. “He needs a goddamn smart watch so it buzzes on his wrist. He never answers the phone when he’s at the fucking clubs.”
“I can call Ann and see if she will come watch Laz.”
“No.” I waved him off when he mentioned the older lady who nannied for us. “It’s Harold’s birthday this weekend. Let them celebrate. You stay here. I’ll let you know what’s going on.”
E said nothing as I got ready and grabbed my gun from my bedside table.
“Be careful,” he said, eyeing me.
“Only way I know how to be.” I clapped him on the shoulder and left the room, him following me.
“Dad?” Riot called out in his raspy voice that always broke my damn heart to hear. Fucking Celeste hurting him like that… fuck, I hope she was enjoying hell, the whore bag cunt.
“Hey, bud.” I went to where he was sitting on the couch and knelt in front of him as he held his Ninja Turtle in his arms. The kid was obsessed with the turtles.
He stared back at me with his big green eyes, his dark hair a wild mess, his pajamas rumpled.
“Where going?” he rasped out.
“I’ll be back soon. I’m going to meet your other dad and do some work, OK?”
He looked from me to E. “Ann coming?”
“No, I’ll be home with you,” E said, sitting next to him on the couch and kissing the top of his head. “We’re going to watch the turtle movie and eat pizza, just like Mikey.”
Riot’s eyes lit up, and he snuggled into E’s arms.
“We’ll be fine,” E said, looking at me. “Just be careful.”
I nodded and reached out to hug Riot. He came easily to me, his little arms wrapping around my neck. He wasn’t my biological son, but I loved him like he was. He called all of us Dad. Sometimes, he’d just say my and Enzo’s names. We didn’t care.
I wished for my own kid, but I couldn’t make one on my own. I imagined I’d have a daughter, and she and Riot would terrorize all of us.
It was wishful thinking because it seemed like that ship had sailed.
“Be good,” I said. “I’ll see you soon.” I kissed the top of his head and released him back to E before getting to my feet and walking to the front door.
“Be safe,” E said, his voice holding that soft note of worry. Despite how hard and rough E was these days, he was still the guy I remembered beneath it all.
“Always, brother,” I replied before opening the door and stepping out.
It was go time.
6
ENZO
