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“He owes people money?”
Enzo glances down at me before he smirks at Simon.
“Shapiro, I happen to be many things. But one of them is a forensic accountant. Imagine what I discovered while on a long flight with nothing to do but examine every financial statement ever issued to you or through you. You have a funny way of managing money. It makes it look like you have more money in one bank than you do, while another bank is supposed to have next to nothing but really holds it all. My brother could be in the Caymans before morning.”
I watch Shapiro’s eyes nearly fall out of his head. What the fuck is Enzo talking about?
“Cuore, on Monday morning, you need to call your company’s accountants and have them audit all the Once A Warrior Foundation’s books.”
Rage pulses through me. I take a step closer, but Enzo tries to stop me. I shake him off.
“You’ve been embezzling money from a foundation for service members?”
He doesn’t answer.
“I have been with that organization since the day it started. My brother’s name is on the plaque beneath the foundation’s name when you step off the elevator. You’re stealing from families like mine whose husband, brother, father, son didn’t come home the way he left. Ones whose wife, sister, mother, daughter didn’t come home the way she left. You piece of shit.” My voice drops. “I see how you fear Lorenzo because he’s a Mancinelli. Fear me far more, Simon. I will take everything you have ever had. I will take your family. I will take your home. I will take your cars and boats and beach houses. I will take your money and your assets. I will take your reputation. And I will take every last shred of your dignity. Only then will I hand you over to Lorenzo to do whatever he wants. I promise you, you picked the wrong lawyer to fuck with. Leave before I start making calls right now.”
He shifts his gaze to Enzo then back to me before he tucks tail and scurries away. It feels better than heaven when my boyfriend wraps his arms around me. I melt against him.
“You look stunning, little one. And what you just said — I’m ready to drag you into a dark corner and have my way with you. That was hot.”
“I’m so glad you’re here, Daddy.”
I’m whispering, but right now, I don’t care who hears me. Enzo is here, and he’s holding me.
“I told you I’d come with you. I wasn’t about to let you come with someone else or by yourself. If it wasn’t Shapiro, I figured it would be some other douchebag since I knew you’d be gorgeous.”
“You look very debonair in your tux.”
“Thank you. I missed you, Chellie.”
“I missed you, too. I didn’t think you’d make it. I wasn’t really looking forward to it, but now I can enjoy it.”
“I’m sorry I had to be away so long.”
I just nod. I don’t know what to say. His hand slides dangerously close to my ass for a moment before he lets go of me.
“I had to go to Belgium and the Netherlands.”
It surprises me he’s telling me that. Does that mean it was legit business?
“Diamonds. Antwerp is the world’s diamond capital, and the Netherlands has been known for them for like six hundred years. I had to meet with several buyers and influential people who help set pricing.”
I force myself not to look at my left hand. But when Enzo brushes his thumb over my left ring finger, I can only stare at him. He kisses my cheek before we look for our seats. I’m just about to sit when I notice a couple walking through the door.
“Oh, fuck.”
I mutter under my breath, and Enzo follows my gaze.
“Pasha and Sumiko?”
“Yeah. I haven’t told Laura anything. I don’t know them well, but we know each other. They’ll tell Laura before the first course. I need to call her before either of them text her. Shit.”
I look around and see the doors to the terrace are open. I tilt my head toward them, and we head outside. I pull out my phone and grit my teeth.
“Hey, boo.”
She sounds much happier than she’s going to be.
