Chapter 17 - Enzo
SEVENTEEN
ENZO
Iran my palms down my thighs, my heart pounding. I wasn’t sure why I was so damn nervous, but I was. This was just a party. I’d been to lots of parties before.
Security was all over the place. For every three guests, there was at least one guard.
I’d worked my ass off to make this a safe event.
I considered letting my new guys work the event, but decided I needed them on the streets working.
The saints of hell, as they preferred to be called, were definitely dedicated. I appreciated men like that.
“Should have had this at the house,” E said, drinking from his glass as he looked around at all the guests. “Or made it way fucking smaller.”
I grunted. He may have a point, but I knew it was essential to have it this way as a demonstration of power and confidence.
But fuck, I was fearful.
I’d woken that morning with butterflies in my guts. I brushed it off as being nervous because this was a huge milestone in my life. In just a few weeks, I’d be a married man.
“Where’s Rosalie?” I asked, looking around for her.
“She’s still in the bathroom with Jamie. Cole is outside the door waiting for them and on the phone with Colten. He says he’s stuck in traffic and his parents’ flight was delayed due to a thunderstorm in Detroit.”
I nodded tightly. It was just as well—fewer people. I already felt like there were too many here. The thought that this was a bad idea kept repeating in my head.
“Let’s just get through this, man,” I said to E, who nodded tightly.
I smoothed my tie down and made small talk with guests, a smile on my face. When Rosalie finally returned to me, I wound my arm around her waist, introducing her to the people she didn’t know.
She hadn’t invited many people from her side. In fact, it didn’t look like anyone from her side even showed up.
That really pissed me off.
John and I would soon have words.
“Can we dance?” Rosalie asked an hour and a half into the festivities, her eyes glittering.
I gave her the first genuine smile of the evening and held my hand out to her. I took note of Fox at the bar, having a drink with Cole while E stood next to them, looking around cautiously.
He was on edge, too. He’d been doing so well lately. I prayed he wouldn’t lose his shit tonight.
I spun Rosalie onto the dance floor, my hands on her waist.
“You look stunning, Sunshine,” I said. “I don’t know if I had the chance to tell you.”
“You have.” She grinned up at me. “Twice.”
I chuckled at that. “Well, each passing moment you look even more breathtaking.”
“Aw, you don’t have to sweet-talk me. I already said yes.”
I grinned down at her, relaxing a little.
“I can’t wait for this party to end. When it’s over, I’m going to fuck you on every damn table in here.”
“I don’t want to get my dress dirty,” she said, a small smile on her lips.
“Oh, I’m going to dirty you up so much.” I kissed her deeply to a few catcalls.
She pulled away, her cheeks flaming red, and looked around. I liked it when she blushed. She was always going to be my sweet, shy ray of sunshine.
I looked around the room. I hadn’t seen Vander Veer yet, which was just as well. Rosalie hated his ass, and I didn’t feel like listening to his shit.
The song ended, and I led her off the dance floor. Cole was quick to take her hand, but Jamie intercepted him and dragged Rosalie back out, much to Cole’s irritation.
I needed to find my parents. I’d barely seen them since the party started. My mom had hugged me so hard when they arrived, Emilio and my dad flanking her. They were always hard asses, but Mom was sweet as could be, always.
Now I wanted to get to the dinner portion of things so we could have a cocktail hour, then ditch this place.
“Have you seen my parents?” I asked my cousin Aldo.
“I saw your mom go that direction.” He pointed off to the left. I clapped him on the back as he wished me congratulations before heading in the direction he indicated.
After being waylaid by a few guests and asking them if they’d seen either parent, I went outside the ballroom, frowning.
I wandered down the hall, noting two of my men had followed and were standing watch. I gave them a quick nod and continued onward.
Soft rustling sounded out from a room. Figuring it was probably a smoke room, I pulled the door open and made to step inside.
“What the fuck?” I blinked rapidly as I stared at my mother in Emilio’s arms, her lipstick kisses stamped on his skin.
I backed away, my heart in my throat as my mom untangled herself from Emilio and tried to come to me.
Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. I couldn’t wrap my head around what I was seeing. It didn’t make sense…
“Lorenzo,” Emilio called out, buttoning his pants—his fucking pants— as he came at me. “Wait.”
I lost it.
My fist connected with his face, sending him stumbling back, blood gushing from his nose. I surged forward, hitting him again, my mom crying out for me to stop.
I couldn’t believe what I’d just seen.
Mom. Emilio.
Fuck, he was my dad’s best friend. His right hand.
If I weren’t so filled with white hot rage, I’d have vomited.
I pulled my gun out and pointed it at his face as he straightened.
“You have five fucking seconds to explain to me why you’re in a fucking coat closet with my mother,” I snarled at him.
“Lorenzo, please,” Emilio started as my mom sobbed softly.
“Four.”
He exhaled. “I love her.”
“So does my father.”
“Lorenzo!” My father rushed at me, his eyes wide.
“Let me,” I said fiercely. “Let me kill him.”
“No. Son, please. It’s not what you think. Give me the gun.”
I swallowed. “What the fuck do you mean it’s not what I think? His dick was out, and he was feeling her up in a fucking coat closet!”
My father reached out and tried to take my gun, but I jerked it away from him.
He sighed and looked at my mom, who was still in tears.
“We have a relationship like you have with Rosalie,” he finally said.
I blinked at him in confusion.
“What?”
“Put the gun down so we can talk,” he continued.
I looked at Emilio again before lowering my gun. Emilio could handle himself. The fact that he hadn’t attacked me back gave me pause to listen to my father.
My mom rushed to my dad, who held her tightly for a moment, murmuring to her before he handed her off to Emilio, who wasted no time cinching her against him, the blood still trickling from his nose. I watched as he thumbed away her tears and murmured to her in Italian that everything was OK.
“Emilio and I have been with your mom since before you were born.” Dad leveled his dark eyes on me.
“You mean… you and him… and-and Mom?” I crinkled my brows, my guts twisted.
“Yes. All of us. Together. We love each other. Emilio is my best friend. He’s… ours. I’m sorry we never told you.”
“I-forever… how fucking long?”
“Since we were eighteen.”
“Jesus fuck,” I said, tugging at my hair. “You fucking kept this shit a secret for two fucking decades? What the fuck?”
“Lorenzo.” Mom came to me. “Please. We are so sorry you had to find out like this.”
“It’s my engagement party,” I whispered. “And I find you in a coat closet fucking… Argh.” I paced, my fingers in my hair, and my mind reeling.
Was this fucking real life right now?
“We know it’s a shock. I-I shouldn’t have,” Emilio said softly. “Lorenzo, I’m so sorry. I want you to know how much I love your parents. They mean everything to me.”
I stopped pacing and stared at him.
“I-I don’t have words right now.”
“We accepted your situation,” Dad murmured. “Easily.”
“That’s not the fucking same!” I snapped at him. “My relationship wasn’t a fucking secret for twenty fucking years!”
Dad sighed. “Lorenzo, calm down. Please. This changes nothing—”
“It fucking changes everything! Are you even my old man? If he’s had his dick in Mom, maybe I need a fucking paternity test. Maybe none of this fucking shit is mine!” I threw my arms up, frustrated out of my damn head.
“You are my son,” Dad said firmly. “Without a doubt.”
I sighed and closed my eyes. I needed a minute. Everyone must have sensed that because it was quiet while I gave myself those moments.
I breathed in and out, trying to calm myself before I opened my eyes and stared at a fixed point on the wall over my mother’s head.
“OK. Fine,” I said softly. “I get it.”
“You’re OK?” Mom stepped up to me again, worry on her face.
“Yes. I’m fine. It’s just a huge fucking surprise, is all. You guys kept this a really good secret.” I shook my head. “I-I need some time, though, OK? Today is for me and Rosalie. Tomorrow, we can deal with this shit.”
Mom reached out and hugged me. “I love you.”
I sighed and hugged her back. “I love you, too. This is just so weird.”
“I know.” She squeezed me tighter. “I’m sorry. So sorry, baby. We should have told you.”
I nodded tightly and looked from Emilio to my father.
“You really fucking should have.”
“Let’s enjoy the rest of the evening,” Dad said as I released my mom. “Emilio, go get yourself cleaned.”
Emilio nodded and hesitated to leave as he stared at me.
“Lorenzo—”
“Later, Emilio. I just… I need some time, OK?”
He nodded again before leaving me with my parents.
“Marissa, are you well, love?” Dad looked Mom over. She nodded, and he reached out to fluff her hair and fix her dress.
“Liar, you’re perfect,” he murmured.
I stepped away from them, letting them have some time to themselves. They likely needed to talk, and I needed to get some fucking air.
And that’s exactly what I planned to do, but I’d take a drink with me, because seriously, what the fuck?