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“Enzo!”
“That’s right, little one. Scream my name every time.”
She collapses against me, and I carry her to the bed. I sit with her clinging to me like a koala. Her head rests against my shoulder as she pants. I can barely catch my breath, too.
“Chellie, I have to go. I don’t want to. I think I’ll be home by tonight, so we can have dinner. If I’m going to be later than that, I’ll make sure someone lets you know.”
She sits back.
“Someone?”
“When I have this kind of work, it means you can’t reach me by phone. I won’t have it on.”
“So, you can’t be found.”
I nod.
“If you ever need me, you can call my sister or mom. They’ll make sure someone gets in touch with me.”
“But only if it’s an emergency, right?”
“I’d rather you not ask what I had to eat or what I’m wearing. But if it’s important — even if it isn’t an emergency — call or text. They’ll get the message to me.”
I ease her off me until she’s standing.
“I need my phone, then.”
She goes for hers while I get dressed. She cocks an eyebrow when I pull on a nice t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Neither are favorites, which is good because I’ll never wear them again.
“What?”
“That shirt is the equivalent of me walking down 5thAvenue in just a bra and panties. It leaves nothing to the imagination.”
I grin.
“I promise where I’m going, I’m not getting anyone aroused.”
That makes the smile drop from her face. She nods and ducks her head as she unlocks her phone. I walk over to her after slipping on a pair of loafers. Her hair hangs down, hiding her face. I kiss her forehead as I take the phone from her.
“Yes, that is where I’m going. But I didn’t mean to make you think about that. I meant this is work, not a night out with the guys.”
“Are you really going to be safe?”
This will be the first test of many for her. Maybe it’s just as well that it’s happening so soon. If she doesn’t like this uncertainty, better we find out now.
“Yes,mia piccolina. I promise.”
“But what if—”
I pull her in for a hug.
“We control this place. It’s why we go there. It’s not on any city records or in any files. It’s aCosa Nostraneighborhood. People know to turn the other way.”
“But what if—”
“If something happens that’s beyond our control, I will make sure someone gets you and takes you to my parents. Wait there until I come for you.”
“What if you can’t tell people something went wrong? I’ll never know what happened to you.”
