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There are already a few men with tumblers of whisky when we reach the outdoor patio, and when they turn to Enzo, I can tell they're happy to see the man beside me. The way their eyes flicker between me and Enzo, their expressions changing from smiling to serious sets me on edge.
"Cristiano, Franco, this is my fiancée, Luna," Enzo says.
The moment he tells them this, they offer a smile. "I'm Franco Moretti," the older man says. He must be in his late thirties, possibly early forties from the smattering of silver in his black hair. "It's lovely to finally meet the woman who's tamed Enzo."
"I’d hardly say I've tamed him," I inform the gentlemen who takes my hand and places a kiss on my knuckles. "Perhaps the better word is distracted."
Both men laugh. Cristiano steps forward to take my hand. "I'm Cristiano Russo, Franco's cousin." His introduction is slightly more seductive than Franco’s because his lips linger just a moment longer than necessary on my knuckles, and he holds onto my hand, just a second more than he should.
"Stop with the antics, Russo," Enzo's voice is amused, but I can read the threat behind it. Thankfully, he releases me at Enzo's words, and I'm tugged into the crook of my fiancé's arm. "I have a few of the men coming in this evening, an hour apart. I know it's a long time, but I needed it."
"Understood," Franco says. "I have spoken with the men at the dock. Shipment is arriving just after midnight, there's been a delay, so we don't need to rush."
"What shipment?" I ask, and all five men pierce me with a stare. Turning my attention to Enzo, I notice he's not happy that I voiced my question, but I want to know what's happening if I'm meant to stand beside him.
"It's nothing you need to worry about," Enzo informs me. "By the time I have to go to the docks, you'll be home safe." His hand trails down my back before he grips my ass in a harsh hold that causes me to gasp. I know Mario and Thiago can see what he's doing, but neither of them reacts. Not that I expected them to.
"Enzo," Mario's voice cuts through the tension. "They're here."
Dark eyes glance at me. "Have a drink, spend some time with Franco and Cristiano, and remember what I said." He presses his lips to my forehead before disappearing with both Mario and Thiago, and I'm left with the two new men I've just met.
"It's interesting to see Enzo so possessive over his enemy's daughter," Franco remarks with a smile. "I honestly didn't think he'd ever come to terms with what his father did."
I turn to the older man after watching Enzo walk toward the entrance again. "Neither did I," I tell him honestly. "Have you known him for a long time?"
"All his life," he says, a smile on his handsome face as he lifts the tumbler to his lips and takes a long sip. But his eyes never leave mine. "My Familia and his have worked together for as long as I can remember, and even before that."
"Loyalty is everything," Cristiano chips in, his gaze drinking me in, just the way he slowly swallows his whiskey. "I'm sure you know all about that." He tips the glass toward me, before walking off, leaving the fragrance of his cinnamon and woodsy scented cologne behind.
"Ignore him," Franco tells me. "He doesn't take well to new people."
"Or to those who are enemies with his friend?" I ask, my brow arching in question, which earns me a rumbling chuckle from Franco. I've heard of the Moretti family. Three brothers lost their father when they were much younger. The eldest, Franco, took over, and runs the clan, and his two brothers are Capos in different cities, running the operations from afar.
"You're an intelligent girl," Franco remarks. "Perhaps I should take you with me to LA, teach my ladies a thing or two."
"Your ladies?" Shock must be painted on my face because he laughs out loud.
Nodding, he closes the distance between us. "Yes, I like to have something beautiful to look at while I work. I have two assistants. Purely platonic." Even though I would usually doubt when a man tells me that, with Franco, I believe it's true.
"Then perhaps one day I'll visit," I tell him, and he offers me his arm which I accept. At least, there's one man here who kind of likes me. Now all I have to do is play along as Enzo asked.
Chapter 26
Enzo
Leaving Luna with Franco and Cristiano calms me somewhat. They're connections I've known all my life, and I know Franco will look after her. Pushing open the door to my father's office has my lungs struggling to pull in air. The stench of death hangs heavily in the space as I step into it.
