Enzo #2
“Done. I’ve heard of Millenium tangentially.
They’re one of those ‘do what you want for the right price’ kind of companies.
They can be bought, which makes them unpopular in our space.
The CEO doesn’t like us, but that’s not saying much.
He’s a bit of a misogynist. Ralph something is his name, but he doesn’t get involved in the day-to-day or new ops that come in.
Everything else, I’ll get back to you on as soon as I can,” she said.
If that was what she considered peripheral knowledge, I wondered how much she knew when she wanted to know more.
Adrienne was part of Bridge City Security Firm, which had global recognition as being the best. They also ruffled feathers not only the only for being an all-female team, but also for how they went about their work.
“Thank you,” I said, starting the engine.
“Don’t thank me. She’s my family. I’ll call her later.” She cleared her throat. “Lorenzo, if anything happens to either of them, I’ll hold you personally responsible.”
“Nothing will happen to them.” I meant every word. I’d take a bullet before I ever let it touch them.
The streets were lined with shady trees, each house boasting an immaculate front yard and driveway, the architecture varying wildly in style. Some were mini castles, others gaudy monstrosities, and a few offered genuine character and charm.
It was quiet, despite being close to the ever-busy Whitestone Bridge.
I pulled to the curb in front of one of the tasteful houses, character and style evident in its vibrant flowers, brownstones of varying shades across the front, and a circular driveway
The front door opened before I got out of the car. A woman in her late forties stood in the doorway, hands on her hips, a hand towel thrown over her shoulder, in sweats, and her hair up.
I went to the trunk, grabbed two heavy tin cans, and carried them to the front door.
Martina Vinci, Adrienne’s mother, watched me like a hawk, completely unimpressed, and for a second, I thought she was going to order me to leave the cans and be on my way.
She waved me inside with a resigned sigh and headed to the kitchen.
Martina went straight to the cans, opened them, and pulled out the pistachio nuts. She rolled them in her hands, cracked a few open, smelled them, and ate a few when she was satisfied.
“These are so good,” she said, her eyes closed as she chewed more. “I’m in a mood, so good thing you bought presents, or I would’ve slammed the door in your face.”
I smirked, knowing she told the truth. There was nothing better than recently harvested pistachios.
A timer went off, the aroma of whatever she had cooking filled the air, making my stomach grumble.
The house was always filled with the smell of food.
She turned, grabbed a plate, and went to the stove.
She loaded it with seafood risotto, glanced at me, added another spoonful, and pushed the plate toward me. “Eat. You’re skin and bone.”
If there was one thing I wasn’t, it was skin and bone. I worked out with a single-minded focus, and it showed.
I took a few bites while Martina watched and waited. “Amazing as always.”
“Why did you show up here and not one of my restaurants?” Martina asked as she began wiping down the counter.
“Something happened with Serena, and I needed to let you know,” I began.
“On Friday night, Serena’s home was broken into and ransacked.
I got there before they made it into the apartment, but her studio,” I shook my head, anger welling up every time the image of what was left flashed in my mind.
“It’s gone. They’ll be staying with me until the threat against them is eliminated, and they can safely go back to the studio. ”
“How long do you think that will take?” she asked.
“Well, I’m hoping she likes living with me, and they never leave, but she might want something else.” Martina was the first person to clock that I had a thing for Serena.
She was perceptive in a way that reminded me of my mother. My mother had been gone for years, but in moments when I needed guidance I couldn’t find elsewhere, I came to Martina.
Without me having to explain it, she became a second mother—never replacing mine, but offering the same comfort and listening ear I’d grown up with.
“This is a unique opportunity you have,” she said, pulling out a lemon cake.
“She’s done everything by herself. Even with her divorce, she wouldn’t let me help.
Not in any significant way. Her ex-mother-in-law stepped in only when she realized what an ass her son was being, and Serena was at her wits’ end. ”
I knew all this, but I still listened.
“Do not try to deceive her with pretty words and promises you’ll never keep. The more upfront you are, the better.” Martina moved around her kitchen. She never stood still. “She has to think of her and Harper, and that idiot ex of hers.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Martina gave me a long, exasperated look. “They have a legal agreement, custody stuff.” She waved her hand. “He might not abide by it, but if I remember correctly, there are clauses and rules about living situations that she has to abide by.”
I smiled a little. “I know.” I raised an eyebrow. “Did you think I’d be so underprepared for all possibilities? For the moment, she’s content to stay with me because it’s the safest option.”
“You caught them?” Martina asked, but it sounded more like a demand.
“Yes. They work for a security firm, Millennium Securities. It was a contract hit. Adreinne is looking into it more for me,” I said. “From what Adrienne said, this isn’t a high-caliber team with exceptional skill.”
“You think you know who hired them?” Martina asked.
I shrugged, not willing to put into the universe that I thought Charles Clearwart put a hit out on his ex-wife and would put his own child’s life in danger because he was jealous. The idea was too vile for me to contemplate fully, but I wasn’t ruling it out.
The only thing I could do was mitigate the fallout and be there for Serena and Harper. There were some things, even with all my power and influence, that I couldn’t stop or control.
I tapped the table and stood. “I wanted to keep you up to date in case she calls you.”
“I’ll give her my opinion on things, as I always do when she calls asking for help, or an opinion, or to vent.
” Martina sighed, sadness lining her face.
“She doesn’t have anyone, Lorenzo. She has limited contact with her family; her younger sister is traveling the world.
Even if she was close to them, she wouldn’t take her struggles to their door.
It’s just not how she is. She’s been living alone for a long time.
Be careful with her. I don’t think she can handle another person letting her down. ”
“The last thing I’ll do is let her down,” I countered, almost insulted.
“So you think. Everyone makes mistakes; just be careful.” Martina led me down the hall to the front door.
It opened as she reached for the handle. Her husband, Flavio Vinci, stepped through the door, a scowl on his face.
Stepping between Martina and me, Flavio glared at me. “What are you doing here? Alone with my wife?”
Martina snorted, her laughter filling the foyer as Flavio continued to glare at me. I responded with a bored expression.
“Do we need to do this every time you see me?” I asked.
“Yes. Why are you alone with my wife?” he demanded.
“That’s between your wife and me,” I said, unable to keep myself from antagonizing him. He made it so easy.
On cue, Flavio’s face went red, and he took a menacing step toward me.
Martina stepped between us, cursing Flavio. “Why do you do this? Always with the nonsense, as if I’d even bother with him if he tried. He brought his pistachios and wanted to tell me he finally made a move with Serena.”
If she had her towel, Martina would have started hitting him with it. It wouldn’t be the first time. Their arguing was some weird foreplay.
A pang hit me in the center of my chest, knowing my parents would act similarly if they were still alive.
Mom, like Martina, had the biggest heart and loved having people around. Dad loved her and me deeply, and was possessive and jealous at times, even knowing Mom would never look at another man.
All the traits he ingrained in me.
“I’ll leave you two to your lovers’ spat,” I said, sidestepping Flavio, who still glared at me and Martina, who faced off with her husband, hand on her hips.
I was halfway down the walkway when Martina called my name. Stopping, I turned in time to see her jogging.
Breathing heavily like she had sprinted a mile, she frowned at me.
“Don’t make me run. I don’t like it.” She stood, clearing her throat.
“I know you’ve been worried about making the first move and playing the long game.
It’s admirable. But it’s okay to push her.
She’s been hurt, and she’s quick to find a reason not to believe what’s right in front of her.
Don’t be afraid to show her what her life could be like.
She always puts one foot in front of the other.
Give her the fantasy. Show her the potential of her life. ”
It was sound advice and validated what I suspected already. Serena was afraid to be anything but practical. The consequences would be too great should any chance she took fail.
“I’ll take care of her,” I promised. Martina nodded, and we went our separate ways.
I broke every speed limit to get home.
The drive took too long, even though, for a rare moment in New York, I hit no traffic.
I slid into the curved driveway and stared at the house. Harper zoomed past the front window in a flash of blond hair.
The tightness in my chest loosened. Anxiety I hadn’t realized was living in me since I left the house leeched out of me.
I was home. My girls were right where they belonged, in a place they deserved.
Martina was right. It was time to turn this unfortunate circumstance to my advantage and use everything at my disposal to keep them there.