55. Anson #2
I followed Enzo to the office and sat on the leather sofa while he poured us drinks.
He handed me a glass of scotch before settling into his chair.
Taking a drink, I nodded. He always had good shit.
“I want to thank you for what you did for Rosalie. For us,” he said, staring at me.
“You don’t need to thank me. I’d do it a hundred times over.”
“Just the same, thank you. Having you there…” his voice trailed off, and his Adam’s apple bobbed for a moment before he continued. “Well, it could have ended in an entirely different way.”
I nodded, my throat tight. Even considering the possibilities made the rage boil inside me.
“Tell me. How did you do it?”
“I beat him to death with my hands,” I said, my voice low, the memory still bright in my mind. My only wish was that I could bring him back and do it on repeat.
Enzo nodded and glanced at my still bandaged hand. “Is it broken?”
“Small fracture. I’ll live.”
He took a drink and cleared his throat. “Did he give you any other information past Russians?”
“No. I should have kept him alive a little longer in the big scheme of things, but if you’d seen her…” My words faded away. “He deserved to die for what he did.”
“I agree.” He drank again before licking his lips.
“Listen, Anson, I am so grateful to you. I want you to know that. We all are. I’m sure Fox has already told you, and I’m certain E will, too—even Cole.
We want to know how we can repay you. For killing that guy, for saving her, for keeping her safe at Matteo’s. ”
“I don’t need to be paid,” I said immediately. “She’s my friend, and I care for her. It’s what friends are for.”
He studied me for a moment before nodding. “I’ll pay you to hire on with me.”
I blinked at him. “What?”
“I want to hire you. You were watching over her for free before, but I don’t think that’s right. You need to live, too. I want you to work for me.”
“I’m not letting you pay me to watch over her,” I said. “I’m good.”
“Are you telling me you don’t want to be paid or are not planning to return? Because if you come back, it’s because you now work for me. That means you get paid.”
I blew out a breath. “I don’t want to be paid to be her friend.
To keep an eye on her. I didn’t nearly a year ago and don’t want it now.
We’re good, Enzo. Truly. Besides, I already worked for you once, and you fucked me over.
” I shot him a bitter look because I still hadn’t forgotten what he’d done.
Getting the information from Drake and putting me out in the cold had been fucked up.
He stared me down for a moment before getting to his feet. He went to a desk drawer and pulled out an envelope before returning it to me.
“What’s this?” I asked, frowning as I took it from him. I peeked inside to see a stack of hundred-dollar bills.
“It’s ten thousand dollars,” he said, settling in his chair again. He didn’t address my comment.
“I can’t accept this?—”
He held his hand up. “It’s not for watching over Rosalie. It’s for being my eyes and ears. Just feed me any information you have. I’ll pay more if you want.”
I stared at the envelope in my hand. I wasn’t hurting for money, but more money was always good, especially once I left this place. I had a nest egg already, but padding it might be nice.
“So you want me to feed you information monthly, and you’ll pay me for it?”
“Easy job, right?” He raised his brows at me.
I looked at the money again. “I know what you’re doing.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re fucking Lorenzo De Luca. You don’t need me to be your ears. The fucking street lamps have ears for you. This is so I watch Rosalie. I told you I don’t want to be paid for that?—”
“This is because I want to know what your fucking old man is up to,” he said softly, his dark eyes flashing dangerously.
“Matteo De Santis isn’t sweet to my girl for no reason.
I want to know why. And don’t tell me it’s because he’s Fox’s uncle or your father.
We both know he doesn’t give a shit about family like that. Dominic is a prime example.”
“You’re asking me to betray my father?”
“I’m asking you to protect what you love,” he said softly.
I knew what he was saying without saying it. He wanted the inside track in case Matteo decided to attack.
I wanted her safe, too, and I trusted my father.
“You’re putting me in a shitty position, De Luca.”
He inclined his head. “I’m aware.”
I sighed, knowing this was more than just an ear to the ground sort of thing. He’d pop out next and tell me he’d hire someone else for Rosalie, and I’d be fucked and out of the picture with no hope for a return. I’d seen how shit played out when someone else watched over her.
“Fine.” I nodded. “Ten thousand now, ten thousand at the end of every month, or no deal. Twenty total a month.”
“Done.” He finished his drink without hesitation.
“And I get to leave and tell you to fuck off whenever I’m done,” I said, eyeing him. “I’m not interested in remaining in this world. I have bigger plans than this shit.”
“I’m good with that. When you’re ready to go, you walk away. No harm, no foul. We’ll be square.”
“Done,” I said, getting to my feet. I paused for a moment as he followed to stand.
“First piece of information.” I cleared my throat.
He raised his brows at me, waiting for my words.
“Watch Drake Petrov. He’s working for my father. I don’t know what’s going on there, but it’s probably worth looking into. I didn’t inquire about it because I don’t give a shit what happens between them.”
“I see,” he murmured, his dark eyes narrowed. “Thank you for the information. I’ll look into it.”
“And never tell anyone where you heard it from,” I added.
I would never betray my father, but Drake pissed me off.
The fact that he’d gotten information to Enzo before I could didn’t sit well with me.
He needed to be looked into, and Enzo was the sort of guy who would do just that.
If anything, I may be saving my father from some Russian bullshit.
“Of course. Nothing we say regarding this will ever leave my home.”
I studied him for a moment before deciding he was being honest. I walked to the door, with him behind me. When we reached it, he shook my hand.
“Go let Rosalie show you Cotton. It’ll make her happy. I’ll deal with Cole.”
I released his hand and pulled open the door, grateful for a few more minutes with her.
“Rosalie will return to classes on Monday. I expect you here bright and early to ensure she makes it there.”
I nodded and said nothing. I planned on being here anyway.
We reached the kitchen, where the guys were putting food away. Enzo gestured for me to find Rosalie. I assumed that meant wherever she was, I could be, so I trotted off before Cole could catch me.
Not that I cared what he thought.
I went up the stairs and met Rosalie partway.
“Hey,” she greeted me, a fluffy white kitten in her hands.
“Hey, is this Cotton?” I reached out and scratched the kitten behind its ears. He immediately began purring.
“It is. Isn’t he cute?”
“He’s adorable.” I smiled, my heart full at seeing how happy she was holding the little fuzzball.
“Ethan got him some toys. I was bringing him to play with them and to show you.”
“Come on,” I said, my desire to leave now gone. I only wanted to watch her kitten play and see Rosalie’s smile.
Her grin widened, and she went down the stairs with Cotton in her hands, me following closely behind.
I was back.