66. Enzo
ENZO
Everything was already in motion.
Evan moved fast. Or Constantino.
Whoever he was now.
I’d already turned over control of my men to him. Word was already out there that there had been a silent takeover and there was a new boss in town. In less than twelve hours, men were bowing to a new leader.
I was one of them. It was different to be on this end, but Evan had cut me out. He simply set me aside and told me to rest and focus on what I truly wanted.
What I wanted was answers.
Evan was already meeting with Dom. Cole had given a look of confusion and had left with Anson to go to Dom’s place for the meeting. Ryder and Klaus went with them, along with E, because Evan now pretty much owned E since he’d been with me. E went willingly. He knew what was at stake.
For the first time in years, I didn’t have much to worry about. My company was perfect. I still had that. I had a day off.
E had taken Riot to Ann and Harold, so it was just me, Rosalie, and Ellis in the house. There were double the guards in the building, so we were safe in that respect.
But I wanted answers. I wouldn’t be able to get my head right without them. I fully intended to help take out Virelli’s men and anyone working with them.
I knew who I needed to speak to.
“Rosalie?” I called out, poking my head into her bedroom. She sat with Ellis on the bed, getting her toenails painted.
She looked at me as I stepped into the room.
“Are you OK?” she asked, worry in her pretty eyes. I’d barely spoken to her all week. She knew what went down. That her husband now controlled a hundred percent of my mafia empire, and that Anson was his underboss with Ryder and Klaus as his enforcers.
“No. I was wondering if you’d help me with something.”
“What is it?”
Ellis grabbed nail polish and gave me a sweet smile as I took a seat in the room. She came to me, and I watched as she took my hand and started putting pink nail polish onto my nails.
I smiled at the moment, my heart aching.
I’d let her paint my face pink if it meant I could be a part of her life.
“Sorry,” Rosalie murmured, getting up to stop Ellis. “She’s used to painting the guys’ nails—”
“It’s fine,” I said, giving her a sad smile. “I like this shade of pink.”
We were quiet as we watched Ellis paint my nails.
“What do you need help with?” Rosalie finally asked, breaking the silence.
“I need to see Church. Will you go with me? I sent a message, but I haven’t heard back. I want to talk to him in person.”
Rosalie studied me for a minute as Ellis finished my nails.
“Do you like it, Mister Enzo?” Ellis asked.
“It’s perfect, sweetie. I love it,” I said.
She grinned at me, her blue eyes sparkling. I smiled as she bounced back to her bed and picked up her bear. She seemed occupied enough, so I stood.
“Please?” I asked. “Sunshine? I need to see him.”
“Of course. Let me just get ready. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
I nodded, went back to the living room, and paced the area as I called Ann and Harold. Rosalie came down with Ellis minutes later just as I was hanging up.
“Hey, I talked to Ann. She said she’d watch Ellis while we’re gone. With everything happening, I don’t want her out with us,” I said.
Rosalie frowned. “I don’t know Ann.”
“I promise you she’ll be safe. She’s Riot’s nanny. She adores him. She’s older. Lives in this building. I will move security outside her door if it’ll make you feel better. She’s good, Rosalie. I swear it.”
Rosalie was quiet for a moment.
“I get to be with Lizard? Mommy, please?” Ellis asked. “I love Lizard. He’s my best friend!”
“OK.” Rosalie nodded. “Sure.”
I breathed out a sigh of relief before I led them out. I called to have security sent up to Ann’s. Rosalie clutched Ellis’s hand as we rode to Ann and Harold’s apartment.
“Are you coming home tonight, Mommy?” Ellis asked.
“Of course, baby. I’ll be back soon, OK?”
“Then we can make more cookies, and Lizard can help?”
“Yes. More cookies,” Rosalie said, smiling down at Ellis.
We reached Ann’s floor, and I led us to her apartment. She opened on the first knock.
“Hello,” she said, smiling. “Lazarus is watching Ninja Turtles and Harold is getting out ice cream. You must be Ellis.”
Ellis nodded.
“Do you like ice cream, Ellis?”
Ellis nodded excitedly, and Ann gestured for her to come in. She went inside, but came back to hug Rosalie.
“I love you, Mommy,” Ellis said as she clung to Rosalie.
“I love you, too,” Rosalie whispered, her voice shaking. “Be good, OK? I’ll be right back.”
“OK.” Ellis released her and ran back into Ann’s. I could hear Riot’s footsteps rushing to meet her.
“We’ll call if we’re running late,” I said to Ann.
“Of course. Be safe.”
I nodded and led Rosalie away.
We rode the elevator down in silence. Memphis had the car pulled up for us, and I helped Rosalie get inside, following her.
“Dante Church’s,” I said.
Memphis hesitated, but pulled onto the street. No one liked to go to Dante Church’s place.
I sat next to Rosalie, neither of us speaking. Finally, it was her who broke the silence.
“I’m afraid,” she said, her voice wobbling. “I’m afraid for you.”
I took her hand in mine and looked at her. “I deserve everything I get, Rosalie.”
“Enzo—”
“Shh.” I kissed her palm. “I trust Evan. I do. If he keeps it all, so be it. He died for it. It’s really his empire anyway. He was right. This city was always his. I’m OK with that.”
A tear trickled down her cheek. “How did we get here?”
“A lot of fucking up on my part. It’s come full circle.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Enzo. I won’t.”
“I believe you.”
We rode the rest of the drive in silence. When we arrived at Church’s, Rosalie got us in without issue, and Malachi met us at the door.
“We were expecting you,” he said. “Sis, why are you crying?”
I looked over to see the tears still on Rosalie’s cheeks.
“Hormones,” she said.
I took her hand in mine again and gave it a gentle squeeze. Malachi zeroed in on the motion as he stepped aside. We entered, the heavy door snapping shut behind us.
“Church won’t like this. I advise you not to touch her in front of him,” Malachi said, his dark eyes on me.
“I no longer care what anyone thinks,” I said. I’d made up my mind. I was going to join her and the guys. I was telling Cole today. I was going to beg E to come with us. The pieces were falling into place. We could all finally be together. Years of hurting were almost over.
“If you want something from Church, then I suggest you respect him,” Malachi said. “I’m not saying it to be a dick. She’s my sister, and even I feel like punching you in the face seeing you touch her. I highly advise you to keep your distance when you speak to him. For peace, Enzo. For acceptance.”
I let Rosalie’s hand fall away from mine.
Fine. I’d play the game for the underground for now.
Malachi nodded and led us to Church’s office. He knocked once before pushing the door open. Church sat in his chair, speaking to two men I didn’t know.
Tall. Muscular. Dead eyes. Death. It’s all I saw as I looked at them.
“Welcome, Lorenzo,” Church said, standing to greet us with the two men. The men were silent. Young. Roughly our age.
“And my sister. Hello, love. Are you well?” Church immediately cradled her face. “You’re crying. Why?”
“Hormones,” she said.
He grimaced. “Unfortunate nightmare. Sirena also suffers their wrath.”
“I’ll call her,” Rosalie said.
“Please do.” He released her and gestured for us to sit at his fireplace.
I took a seat next to Rosalie on the leather couch. Church sat across from me in his chair, and the two men took up the remaining chairs, still wordless.
“I don’t believe you’ve met my new friends. Lorenzo, Rosalie, this is Silas De Santis.” He nodded to the guy with the black hair and vibrant blue eyes. Definitely a De Santis.
The man’s face never changed, but he was holding a few marbles in his hand and rolled them around as he stared at me.
“He is Asylum’s brother,” Church continued. “Goes by the name Marbles.”
“Hello,” I greeted him. I knew a madman when I saw one. This guy was way worse than Asylum. Asylum at least had some semblance of his sanity left. This one… definitely not. The aura around him made me think he was thinking of ten ways to murder me before we left the room.
The tiniest smirk cut his lips upward as he stared me down.
“I like you,” he said in a silky voice. “Lorenzo.” He let my name roll off his tongue.
I said nothing as Rosalie scooted closer to me. She was clearly unnerved by him as well.
“I would not kill you,” Marbles continued. “Instead, I’d keep you to play with.”
I blinked at him. He was in my fucking head. Just like Asylum did when I was near him.
“Not like Asylum. Asylum is special. But me? I’m crazy.” He let out a laugh that sent chills racing down my spine. He stopped laughing abruptly and sat forward. He lifted a black marble from his palm to show me.
“I have killed three men this week with this very same marble,” Marbles said. “I let them choke on it.”
“H-How did you get it back. After?” Rosalie ventured.
I was honestly surprised she spoke.
Marbles laughed again, his blue eyes wild as he showed us his hands.
“I dug it out with my bare hands, of course. Tearing flesh beneath my nails really makes me feel… alive.” Another wild laugh erupted from him.
Rosalie shrank away from him and was practically in my lap. I instinctively wrapped my arm around her.
Church noticed, his green eyes narrowing on us, but he said nothing as he looked to the other man.
Longer black hair that fell just past his shoulders. Gray eyes. A pocket watch peeked out from his leather jacket pocket.
“Lorenzo, this is Nox… Virelli.”
I sat up straighter, my heart pounding hard.
“Hello, Lorenzo,” Nox greeted me softly. “I’ve been killing to meet you.”
I looked to Church. “What is the meaning of this?”
“You messaged me. I figured you’d show up. I wanted to introduce you to my friends. It was perfect timing really, but Marbles is almost as good as Asylum when it comes to that stuff.”
Marbles winked at us as he rolled the marbles around in his hand.