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Old money with high walls to keep the riff-raff out.
Chellie’s mom still presses.
“That’s still very close.”
“Family homes are off-limits. Anywhere where women and children are remains untouchable.”
As kids, we thought of our homes as base. We were safe there during a fucked-up game of tag.
“We can see the ring on Chelle’s finger. Where will you live once you’re married?”
Her mom could be a mob enforcer with the way she watches me. Each word feels like she intends to make me trip up. I can’t blame her for a moment. I’m taking her daughter and dragging her into a world of unadulterated danger.
“That depends on Chellie. We can live in the place she has now, or the one I have, or we can buy a home together.”
I’m pretty fucking sure Chellie hasn’t told her that someone broke in and trashed her place. Guys who work for my family have already been in and repaired or replaced everything.
“What do you want?”
The woman’s gaze bores into me.
“A home we buy together that can offer us the protection I want for my family.”
Both of her parents’ gazes drop to Chellie’s stomach.
“I’m not pregnant, though we’d like to have a family sooner rather than later now that I’m in my thirties.”
“Barely.”
Her mom mutters the single word.
“Mom—”
Something catches my attention in my peripheral vision. I yank Chellie and push her to the ground.
“Get down!”
I cover her with my body as I call out to her parents. Only seconds later, glass shatters as gunshots fill the air. I reach behind me for my gun and pull it out.
“Enzo, stay down. Please.”
Chellie’s begging me, but I can’t do as she says. I lift my head as I hear the front door and back door both burst open.
“Enzo?”
“Capo?”
Two of my men run toward the living room. I look over my shoulder to check on Chellie’s parents. They’re all right, huddled together.
“Piccolina, stay here. Don’t move.” I press her shoulder down as I move to a crouch. “Mario, stay with them. Cristiano, come with me. Where’s Santo?”
“He’s—”
Mario has no chance to answer as more gunshots fill the air. They aren’t directed at us, but I’m certain there’s return fire we can’t hear. That’s Santo. We all have silencers on our weapons.
“Chellie, don’t move until I come back. Mario…”
I don’t have to warn him what will happen if he doesn’t protect my fiancée and her family with his life. He knew what the deal was when he accepted a job in my family’s security detail. I don’t look back to see him nod.
