58. Enzo #2
“I was thinking we would do a press conference,” Benson said. “Or perhaps a livestream. Mr. De Luca could take that time to explain his past with Bishop. The photos are from that relationship, right?”
“They are,” I said. “Half a decade old at least. Nothing recent. Just like the previous videos.”
“Sir,” Calvin broke in. I noticed he’d been scrolling his phone.
“What?” I demanded.
“Uh, another story is out. With pictures.” He held his phone out to me, and I took it and stared down at it. Images of me at the hospital graced the screen.
Rustic Rifles CEO Lorenzo De Luca Seen Supporting Bishop at Hospital.
I frowned and scrolled the article, stopping on the image. My stomach twisted.
“This is security footage,” I said. “It’s a still from video footage. Anson—”
“On it,” he said immediately. “Send me the link for the video.”
Someone at the hospital had done this. Probably a way to turn a quick buck. That meant more images would pour in soon from Rosalie’s hospital stay.
E came into the room and took a seat, giving me a grim look.
“There’s more,” E said, offering me the iPad. I took it, feeling the color drain from my face.
Another sex tape.
I suppose it was just as tasteful as the last one, since it didn’t show much, but it was definitely something Cole and I had done with Rosalie years ago.
Her red curls were visible beneath me as I moved beneath the sheets, her diamond engagement ring glinting in the lighting as her fingers dug into my back.
“What is it?” Klaus demanded from the video call.
“It’s… It’s another sex tape. Me and Rosalie. Cole made it years ago,” I said.
Klaus swore on the call in German and stood, disappearing from sight.
“I don’t know how this is happening,” I said thickly. I’d had men searching high and low for this stalker prick, but nothing came back. Whoever it was covered their tracks.
“Send it to me,” Anson said, his voice laced with venom.
I did as he requested, watching on screen as he and Klaus watched the video. They were both pissed. Their rage vibrated off them. I suppose it was difficult to see another man pleasuring their wife, but she hadn’t belonged to them then.
“We need to find out who stole those videos,” Anson said. “Get more men on it. Go through every fucking memory you have on people who have been in and out of your fucking miserable lives! I want fucking answers, or I’ll be returning to the city to reclaim my fucking throne!”
I winced as he leaned forward. He was pissed. I’d never seen him so angry before. His dark brows knit tightly together, and he spoke through his teeth, his hands balled into fists. His blue eyes flashed at me as his words met my ears.
He truly was Matteo’s son.
“De Luca, sort this fucking mess. Because if I have to, you won’t be king of fucking Chicago anymore. I want an answer before the morning.”
“I don’t work for you,” I said fiercely, not liking being told what to do. I planned on answers anyway because it was Rosalie.
“No?” Anson’s voice turned deadly. “Then I guess I’m coming home. See you soon, De Luca.”
The video ended. The room was silent.
“Sir?” Benson asked softly.
“I’ll make a statement,” I said, my voice rough. “I’ll have it done in an hour’s time. Just… wait for me. I’ll be in touch. Meeting over.”
I dismissed Benson and his assistant. They left, but E stayed.
I hung my head, my fingers in my hair. This was a fucking nightmare.
“Enzo?” E kneeled next to me.
“Why?” I whispered. “I did everything I could to protect her from this life. Just why? Why can’t we have good things? Why can’t we be happy? What do I have to do?”
“I wish I knew,” E said softly. “All we can do is keep fighting. Like always.”
Fuck. Always was really happening too fucking much.
I stared into the camera in my office I had set up. I breathed out, ready to make my statement and hopefully get this shit to disappear.
“For reasons that escape me, my name has been dragged into a story where it does not belong.”
I stared at the camera, trying to remain calm instead of yelling for people to mind their own fucking business and leave my family alone. That we’d all lost so much already.
“The videos currently circulating are several years old. They depict a relationship that ended years ago. They were stolen from our personal storage and were not genuinely made available to the public for their viewing pleasure. Presenting them as though they are evidence of current events is dishonest, reckless, and intentionally misleading.”
I paused, giving the audience that would be viewing this a moment to absorb my words.
“The rumors suggesting I have any involvement in Bishop’s marriage, her pregnancy, or the paternity of her unborn child are false.
There is no story. There is only a coordinated attempt to exploit old memories for attention while placing an innocent woman and her family in the crosshairs.
” I paused once more, still forcing myself to remain calm.
“Bishop is a friend. Her husband is a friend. We have a relationship that is ours alone. I care about her well-being, as I would anyone who has endured this level of harassment, but the fantasy being sold to the public bears no resemblance to our reality. The people responsible know exactly what they’re doing. ”
I leveled my glare.
“To every publication choosing clicks over facts, this is your opportunity to correct the record. To the individuals spreading fabricated stories, understand that defamation has consequences. And to the person stalking her, following her, and encouraging this circus under the delusion that you’re entitled to any part of her life…
You are not. You are nothing. Your obsession ends now.
I have spent my life dealing with people who mistake restraint for weakness.
They inevitably regret that mistake. Leave Bishop alone.
Leave her family alone. Leave her husband alone.
Leave their unborn child alone. If you possess even a shred of decency, allow them to celebrate this chapter of their lives in peace.
If not, don’t mistake my silence for indifference.
This is the only statement I intend to make. Thank you.”
I ended the video and sent it to Benson to handle. I also sent it to Anson so he could watch it. Ultimately, I’d let him give the final approval. Benson already knew that.
I hadn’t left my office all evening, but E informed me that, despite Evan and Ryder’s best efforts, Rosalie wanted to remain here with Cole, at least for the night.
I poured myself a glass of whiskey and stared out my window to the city.
My phone buzzed after I finished my first glass of whiskey, and I answered it without checking the name on the screen.
“Lorenzo De Luca,” Dante Church’s smooth voice came over the line. “Make yourself available to me. I will be there soon.”
I sat forward. “Why?”
“You know why.” The line disconnected, and I let out a snarl. The last fucking thing I wanted to deal with was Rosalie’s brother.
I got up and went to the living room to find E and Cole talking quietly on the couch, Rosalie out of sight.
“Church is coming,” I said.
“What? Why?” Cole demanded.
“To chew my ass about the videos, I assume,” I said. “Where’s Rosalie?”
“She’s napping,” Cole replied.
“I’ll get her.” E got up. “She’s the only one who can calm his crazy ass.”
“She’s not a damn shield, E!” Cole called to E’s retreating back. I knew what he meant. She’d protect us from Church, but that didn’t matter to me. I’d meet Dante Church head-on.
Cole sighed and looked back at me. “I’m sorry this shit is happening.”
I shook my head. “It was bound to happen. We need to figure out who has those videos and why they’re doing this.”
“It’s the fucking stalker. I knew they were too quiet lately. They were just gearing up. Something tells me it’ll get worse before it gets better.”
I grumbled but agreed.
A moment later, Dmitri was buzzing my phone. I didn’t even get to answer it before the door was opened and Church stepped into the room, shrouded in black, Malachi Wolfe and Sinclair Priest with him. But it was Ellis that I zeroed in on.
“Daddy!” she squealed, tearing free from Church and rushing at Cole. Cole immediately scooped her into his arms and held her tightly.
“Hey, Ellie-gator,” he murmured. “How’s my ballerina?”
“Unkie Dunkie and Aunt Weena got me this!” She held out her little arm to show a charm bracelet laden with ballet charms.
“That’s beautiful,” Cole said, his voice shaking. “It looks perfect on you.”
“That’s what Unkie Crazy Butt said too!” She wiggled in his arms. “Where’s Mommy?”
“Here,” Rosalie called out, coming into the room with E.
Cole released Ellis, and she went to Rosalie to show her the bracelet. Rosalie kissed Ellis’s temple and told her it was beautiful before I finally looked at Church.
He was staring at me and likely had been the entire time.
“Come,” I said, wanting to get this over with.
“E, can you take Ellis?” Rosalie asked as Church and his men followed me to my office. I didn’t hear E’s answer, but I assumed it was a yes because we went inside, and Rosalie came in with Cole.
“What do you need?” I asked Church the moment I sat behind my desk and stared him down.
“It would seem you have dragged my sister into another nightmare.”
“I had nothing to do with it,” I snapped at him. “It’s not like I’m out there releasing fucking videos.”
“What are you doing to stop it?” he asked.
I swallowed. “Trying. I don’t know who has them.”
“Well, then, someone needs to be punished because this isn’t working for the underground.”
“Dante,” Rosalie cut in. “Enough.”
“No. It’s not fucking enough, dear sister,” he snarled, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her onto his lap.
I bristled at the move, and Cole stepped forward.
“I would not,” Malachi murmured. “Let it happen.”
The room went silent as Rosalie and Church stared one another down. He reached out and cradled her face before thumbing her bottom lip.
“Come stay with me,” he said softly. “Let me keep you and Ellis safe.”