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Mia pays attention to the man behind the podium, like she understands what he’s saying.
I want to wrap an arm around her like Mario has around Elena.
But of course, I can’t.
I want out of this setting. I want to get to Rome as soon as possible. I’m over the pretense of Mia being my daughter. We’ll have to pretend we’re father and daughter around Tony for a bit, but I don’t plan on hanging out there long.
I plan on finding Oliver and clearing my name and getting back stateside, so I can put this mess behind me.
I glance at Mia’s leg, resting so close to mine, and my hand itches to touch her. I’m not sure what my pull is to her. I’ve felt this zap of electricity between us ever since I first saw her at her nineteenth birthday party. It’s her brown eyes, always watching me, always studying. They are the type of eyes to draw you in and make you beg for her to teach you things. I can’t believe how badly I’m wanting her right now.
I’m in a fucking church.
I shouldn’t be having these thoughts.
The priest drones on in Italian, and my mind spins out of control, wanting Mia more than I ever have before.
They say the devil works hardest at people in church, and I believe it. Because the thoughts I’m having are pure evil.
Naughty in every sense of the word.
I push the thoughts away when I catch Enzo texting on his phone. He’s always on his phone, texting to someone, talking nonstop to someone not around.
Who?
It makes me think about what Mia said about if Enzo could be working with Oliver. It’s highly possible.
I stare at Enzo, trying to size him up for what type of man he might be. He’s wearing all black, just like most men in here, but there’s something about the way he wears it that makes him seem like a sleazy car salesman. He’s tall, lean and nothing much to look at. His nose is long and pointy, and he just reminds me of a weasel.
He appears to me like he’s someone who would betray his family in a heartbeat for the right price. But I can’t be too sure.
Enzo gets up and steps out of the church.
“I’ll be right back,” I whisper to Mia.
I stand from the pew and make my way out of the chapel. I spot Enzo in the hallway, on the phone, near the door. I hang back, listening, hidden behind a pillar.
“He won’t take the bait. Lucia’s been throwing herself at him. Maybe he likes men?” Enzo says into the phone. His tone is upset, like the person on the phone is yelling at him.
It’s obvious he’s talking about me.
So, I step a bit closer, making sure not to get too close.
“They’re leaving for Rome tomorrow. Don’t you think you should leave?” Enzo whisper-yells into the phone.
Interesting.
It’s got to be Oliver on the other end of the line.
“Sure, ok.” He hangs up the phone and heads in my direction.
“Hi, Enzo.”
He jumps a little when he sees me, and his eyes go wide. “Mr. Sabatini, sir. What are you doing out here?” He rubs at the back of his neck.
“Just overwhelmed by the Lord. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Enzo lets out a deep breath. “Yeah, sure.” His eyes dart back to the chapel doors, like he’s checking to see if he can make a run for it.
He can’t.
“I see you’re interested in my daughter, Gia. I appreciate the sentiment, but Gia’s already promised to someone in the States.”
Enzo laughs a bit. “You mean like an arranged marriage?”
“I wouldn’t say arranged. I’d say encouraged.” And right now the thought of Mia with anyone but me suddenly sounds awful.
“Maybe Gianna should make up her own mind.”
“She has, and it’s not you.”
Enzo shakes his head, not really knowing what to say.
So, I put him out of his misery. “It doesn’t matter anyway because we’re leaving tomorrow. We’ve seen enough here.”
“I’m actually going to hitch a ride with you all. I have a few friends to see in Rome.”
I’m not happy. But now I know I can just follow Enzo straight to Oliver. So, I smile, stretch out my hand for him to shake, and encourage him. “I think that’s a great idea.”
He shakes my hand and smiles as well. Just like the weasel he is. It’s like I just bought a used car from him.
Only thing is I know it’s him who’s gotten the rotten end of the deal.
Not me.
I head back into the chapel to resume my seat next to Mia. “Enzo will accompany us to Rome,” I say against the shell of her ear.
Her eyes tell me everything.
She thinks it’s a terrible idea.
Chapter 13
Mia
* * *
When Sebastian told me we’d be bringing Enzo along to Rome, I thought he’d lost his mind. But after we returned from church, he told me Oliver and Enzo were definitely in touch and that Enzo could lead us straight to him. He mentioned the phone conversation Enzo had with who he believed was Oliver. If he’s right, then we should be able to get to the bottom of this crazy mess soon.
