31. Enzo #2
She left the room, and I felt sorry for her. Her son was an adult who consistently made poor choices that hurt everyone around him.
“She took that better than I thought,” Adrienne said and left.
I would go to that airstrip and follow Serena’s lead as best as I could. When the time was right, I’d make sure neither would be alive, but not before Serena was at peace with it.
Harper and Serena’s safety and happiness were my only priorities.
“She’s a good one,” Rafael said and clapped a hand on my shoulder. We were standing in my office, staring at the door. “Nice choice. I was worried for a bit there, with the way you were a pathetic sap over her, but I get it.”
“I wouldn’t call it pathetic.” I said, smiling. Rafael gave me a look that said be serious.
“Fine. It was, but it was worth it. One day it’ll happen to you the way it happened to Marcello and me.” I laughed at the sour expression on his face. “It will. I bet she’ll be a mix of Serena and Adrienne, soft in all the ways, but won’t give you an inch. Really make you work for it.”
Rafael laughed and headed to the door. “I don’t think she exists. You know I enjoy playing the field too much to settle.”
I followed him out, shaking my head. He was wrong, and one day, his bed-hopping is going to bit him in the ass.
Serena and Adrienne were waiting for me at the front door.
“I’ll drive,” I said, opening the door for them.
The plane on the tarmac wasn’t the smallest there, but it wasn’t the biggest either. The staircase was down, and people were moving around, probably the flight attendants getting everything ready for the flight.
I wanted to run up the staircase and kill them all for taking part in this farce, but I knew that wasn’t right. They likely had no idea what was going on.
I squeezed Serena’s hand. Her leg bounced like she needed to move to contain the riot of emotions running through her.
Patience, cara mia, we’ll get our revenge. I wanted to reassure her verbally, but I knew she needed to work through some of this on her own. Come to terms with what was about to happen.
Hopefully, no one died too soon. Torture was more fun when I could draw it out.
We waited in the car as other airplanes moved around and into different hangars, but none obstructed our view.
Adrienne leaned over to Serena in the back seat and whispered in her ear. I watched them in the rearview mirror, narrowing my eyes at them as Serena smiled at whatever Adrienne said.
Serena seemed to relax, but it was not enough. She fidgeted the entire way, and I wished I could offer her the comfort I knew she needed. But I needed some space to calm down, too. It was going to take a lot for me to hold back and not kill Apple and Charles for the harm they’d caused.
A black town car pulled in, gliding to a stop near the plane.
“That’s them,” Adrienne said and got out of the car. I waited for a second, turning to Serena, who hadn’t moved.
“You ready for this? If not, we can turn around and make another plan,” I said. Options. Serena needed to know she always had options.
“No.” She swallowed and looked beyond me, through the windshield. “This ends now.”
With that, she got out of the car. I jumped out, came around the hood, and stayed slightly in front of Serena as we walked to the two people climbing out of their car.
Good, we could get this over with and leave it in our rearview mirror.
They were oblivious to us as they went to the trunk.
Charles noticed us first, stopping whatever argument he and Apple had. Apple turned, freezing when she saw us. Her eyes went as big as saucers, and her face turned as red as a tomato.
She stood up, crossed her arms over her chest, and took on a stance that screamed spoiled princess who always got her way.
“Did you think you would get away with it?” Serena asked when we were close enough. “Did you think you could take my daughter and what? Pretend to be her new mommy? When is it going to get through that thick skull of yours that you will never have what I have?”
“Again, with the dramatics.” Charles rolled his eyes. “What are you even doing here? Trying to ruin my vacation?”
I wasn’t sure if he was stupid or playing it. For Serena’s sake, I hoped he was just as stupid as he looked.
Serena’s gaze cut to Apple. “Do you think Harper would ever accept you? Would ever call you mom?” She leaned forward. “She hates you.”
My girl was out for blood, and I was ready for her to unleash.
“Do you think you can intimidate me using your new mafioso boyfriend? I would say it’s beneath you, but everyone knows how you are,” Apple sneered. “You’re nothing but a gnat.” She waved her hand. “Fly away, gnat.”
“Blackwater Security ring a bell?” Serena asked. “It seems, Apple, that you’re skilled enough at redistributing funds undetected, but not skilled enough to cover your tracks or your money properly.”
Color drained from Apple’s face. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out that you tried to kill me and take Harper?” She took a step closer, coming to stand next to me. “Did you think you’d get away with it?”
Charles was behind Apple. I kept my eyes on him, waiting for him to breathe wrong so I had a reason to kill him.
“And you.” I’d never heard Serena talk like this, so angry and disgusted.
“The only good thing you did was help me create Harper. You’re nothing but a sperm donor, and the sight of you disgusts me.
She isn’t someone you can pick up when you remember she exists.
Get on that plane and don’t come back for her. It’s not like you would anyway.”
“Apple, what is she talking about?” Charles asked.
“Yes, Apple, tell him all the plans you made,” Adrienne said. Somehow, she managed to make herself invisible through all this, even though she got out of the car with us.
Where before she was simply Adrienne, now there was an air of menace about her that made it clear she was armed to the teeth.
Apple did a quick study of her, reached into her bag, and pulled out a small revolver.
“Get away from us,” she said, holding the gun up, her hand shaking.
“Seriously? You try to kill me, and you’re the one who’s afraid for their life?
” Serena scoffed. “Go ahead. Board that plane and try to run away.” She took a step closer.
Apple leaned back, like she was preparing to dodge a fist. “Just when you think you’re safe, that you’ve gotten away with trying to ruin my life, I’ll find you.
There is nowhere safe enough for you to hide. ”
I smiled. Charles noticed, and the color drained from his face. I hope he remembered what I told him at the club.
Serena had no idea how accurate her threats were. I had men waiting for them to arrive and keep track of them until we were ready to act. There were a lot of people who would be after them.
Either way, whatever happened to Charles and Apple wouldn’t trace back to us.
Apple slowly backed away, pushing Charles back with her. “Stay away from us. Harper was a little snotty kid. I only wanted her because I knew it would hurt you.”
Apple grabbed Charles’ hand, pulling him along behind her. He allowed himself to be dragged, flashing a confused expression our way.
He stopped at the base of the steps, forcing Apple to stop and turn around. She jabbed her finger into his chest, a sneer on her face. His body went stiff, shoulders straightening, chin lifting as he bent down to get in Apple’s face.
We stood there, watching them argue for another minute before Apple turned and went up the stairs. Charles followed like the obedient dog he was.
Apple glanced back at us every other step, like she was worried we’d run up after her.
“They really think this is over once they board the plane, don’t they?” Adrienne said.
I looked back at the plane. Jessen stood in the doorway in a flight attendant's outfit, Christina beside her, in what looked like a pilot’s uniform.
“Is Christina flying the plane?” I asked.
“Yes. She’s never flown this size before and wanted to.” Adrienne shrugged. “Do you think Charles is oblivious or does he choose to be until something slaps him into reality?”
“He lives in a different world, girl,” Serena said. “Good riddance.”
“Come on. Let’s go home and see if we can feed Harper something that isn’t mac and cheese,” I said, grabbing Serena’s hand.
“Have fun, lovebirds. My ride is here,” Adrienne said as a motorcycle roared around the receiving building.
I rolled my eyes as Marcello pulled up and handed Adrienne a helmet. He saluted me, and I knew I’d be hearing some nonsense about bothering his wife with my problems soon enough.
Serena and I walked back to the car and headed home.
We’d play the long game, but I wasn’t going to let Apple get away with harming my girls.
I’d make sure they paid for every second of torment they inflicted on Serena and Harper.