Chapter 22
MOLLY
When the photographers charged at me, Enzo was the calm in the storm. He was the one person I was relieved to see.
He doesn't know what a rare gift it is to see something that is broken and to imagine a better existence for it. Now, being in his office and seeing him in his day-to-day surroundings, I see we live in different worlds.
Now his jacket is off. His tie is loosened as he stands at the window talking quietly into the phone. He talks with such authority and confidence. I knew that about him already, but seeing him at work puts it all into perspective.
He's not the Mysterious Masked Man.
Or the Sad Prince.
Lonely? Maybe.
I still get that vibe from him, but if I asked him, he'd deny it.
I'm supposed to walk away from him, but I don't see how I can right now.
I'm trapped high up in this building, with Enzo as the only person I can trust. He finally gets off the phone and quickly turns around as if he's sensed I'm here.
He stares at me.
I stare at him and recall the new clip that his brother showed him, the one of us dancing, video. The one that now seems to be going viral. My stomach twists hard. People will recognize me. The teachers. Miss T. The children. Their parents.
But, maybe not. Enzo is known, sort of. He’s from a rich family. I’m not. I’m a nobody. People won’t care.
“You're shaking.” He moves towards me, taking my hands in his as if to still them. “Can I get you some water?”
I shake my head.
I seem to have lost my voice.
Enzo's touch is soft. He moves his head closer, peers at me. “Are you okay?”
I laugh, and pull my hands away. “I will be. It all seems so ... so ...” but my voice trails to a whisper. Laughing it off didn't work, because he sees through me.
“I'm scared,” I whisper.
He reaches out as if he’s about to touch my arm, but then he withdraws. “That mob can be scary, especially if you're not used to it.”
“Are you used to it?”
“Not really. You never get used to it.”
“Venice must have been a little break for you.”
Our eyes connect and hold.
“It was.”
His short answers only confirm that he wishes I wasn’t here. I feel silly, like a burden he doesn’t need. “I’m in your way. I should get back.”
His face turns serious as he moves towards me.
“Get back to where, Molly? How are you even going to get out of this building? Look at them.” He stands over by the window and looks down.
“They'll eat you alive as soon as you step outside. They’ll follow you all the way back to wherever you’re staying. Where are you staying?”
I move closer to the door. “Penelope booked me into a hotel. I forget the name. I have it written down somewhere.”
“I didn't even realize you were talking to Penelope.”
“I ... had some questions about the ... the project.”
He puts his hands into his pockets.
“I saw the before photos, Enzo. You're so talented.”
He shakes his head again, like he has no special abilities.
“Architects, designers and engineers. They did that. Get a good team of them, and the project will be a success.”
“That's not what I mean.”
He's so doggedly determined to underplay his value.
“You saw something where others saw rubbish and decay,” I say softly.
His jaw twitches and I can tell that I've lost him. That he doesn't want to hear this. “Do you mind waiting for me here?” he asks. “I need to talk things through with my brothers.”
I throw my hands up in the air. “I’ve got nothing else to do.”
***
ENZO
I go looking for my brothers and catch sight of Matteo and Zach in one of the nearby meeting rooms, heads together, looking at something. When I walk in, they spring apart. Matteo puts his phone away.
I already know what they were looking at—the new clip that’s gone viral.
“What are you going to do now?” Zach sinks into a chair, smoothing down his tie, acting all innocent.
“I’m trying to figure it out.” I slide into a chair opposite him. “What were you both looking at?”
“Nothing important.”
“Where’s your … friend?” Matteo asks. He’s standing up, leaning against a wall.
“In my office.” I let out a long sigh. Molly turning up at the offices wasn’t on my card for today.
Rio struts in, followed closely by Dex.
“What’s this? A social?” Dex asks. He and Rio slide into empty chairs. “We knocked on your office door. Saw your friend again.”
My insides harden. “Leave her alone for the love of God.” But I’m also curious. “What was she doing?”
Rio clasps his hands together and stretches out his arms. “Staring out of the window.”
I don’t like leaving Molly alone. She’s probably feeling unsettled. It’s bad enough that she’s experienced the media scrum, and met the family.
“I hope you didn't say anything stupid.”
Rio lifts a brow. “Like what?”
Dex chuckles. “I was blinded by the color of that dress. Next time I’ll wear my shades.”
“There won’t be a next time,” I state, feeling a pinch in my gut.
Jett saunters in and frowns. “I thought the meeting was postponed.”
“This is the meeting after the meeting,” Matteo replies.
“Does she always dress in primary colors?” Dex asks.
I wish he’d drop it.
Rio winces. “Orange isn’t a primary color, dude.”
Dex narrows his eyes. “Rainbow colors then. You know what I mean. Tell me you don’t.”
Rio exhales heavily. “I’m telling you orange isn’t a primary color.”
“She has an interesting dress sense.” Jett’s eyes meet mine, as if I’m somehow responsible for Molly’s attire.
I lift a shoulder. “That’s just how she is. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Is there something you need to tell us, bro?” Rio asks.
Great. I walked into that one.
“Is she from New York?” Zach asks.
I pinch the bridge of my nose wishing I’d never walked into this room. “She’s from … Chicago.”
“Chicago?” A chorus of voices fills the room.
I shift in my chair, heat creeping along my back. Beads of sweat dampen my underarms.
“You told us you went there to see Luca Valizar?” Dex counters.
I don’t dare to look up, even though I can feel them all looking at me.
“I did.” That’s all I’m going to give them. They won’t believe the rest of it.
Dex’s eyes fill with amusement. “She’s the one who took the first video of you, isn’t she?”
“Let’s not go there,” Matteo cautions.
“Why not?” Dex cries.
“Because it sucks, being the target of internet intrusion. You wouldn't like it.”
“Someone like you would buckle under the pressure, Dex,” Zach remarks.
Dex immediately puffs up his chest. “The hell I would. I can handle it. I put up with plenty of shit when Dani got attacked.”
“That died after twenty-four hours,” Matteo reminds him.
Rio laughs. “Yeah, your news cycle was premature, dude.”
Dex narrows his eyes at him. “Nothing premature about me.”
“Let’s not go there.” Matteo raises his voice and everyone quiets. He never raises his voice. “Your friend is in your office and you’re here. Outside are the paps. What’s the plan?”
Rio taps his fingers on the table and turns serious. “We need to keep you both safe. The press will eat your friend alive.”
I press the space between my brows, trying to ease out the ball of tension.
“I’m still thinking about it. What about Father?” I ask, wondering what he makes of all this.
Jett checks his cell phone before sliding it back into his jacket. “He's got calls with the board and then he's prepping for an interview. We've been dismissed.”
“An interview for what?” This is news to me.
Dex yawns loudly. “To show the world how healthy and fit he is, that he's going to live forever like a vampire.”
“I'm going to book you a penthouse, in Manhattan.” Rio taps away on his cell phone. “And your security detail won’t leave your side.”
“No. No way.”
I don’t want that. None of us do. We all have bodyguards when we’re outside, but they’re at a distance, and they never intrude, unless we’re in trouble.
“You don’t get to decide. Your security detail stays close.”
I press my lips together knowing that I can’t get out of it.
Also, Molly said Penelope had booked a hotel room for her. She obviously can’t stay there now, especially if the booking is under her name. She’s identifiable which means she’s in danger. Maybe staying in a penthouse is not such a bad plan.
“It’s done.” Rio slides his phone onto the table again. “No one will know you're there. I suggest you wear some disguises if you have to go out, but I’d lay low for a few days.”
“For a few days?” I sit up, because this wasn’t what I had in mind. I was thinking it would be just one night. “I’m not sure I can make a decision like that for Molly. I can’t hold her prisoner.”
“No one’s asking you to do that. Talk to her. You saw the paps out there. Is it safe to let her head back to Chicago?” Rio asks.
“A few days, in a penthouse, with the teacher?” Dex smiles. “Shouldn’t be too hard, bro. Can you manage it?”
“I don't have a choice, do I?”
Molly can’t stay at her hotel.
She can’t go outside.
And apparently I’m taking her to a penthouse.
Me and Molly, alone in a penthouse for a few days.
Impossible.