“Let me guess,” he says, crossing his arms. “Marco? He came into my office a month back, complaining about the deal.”
“Yes. Marco. And other men. They’re not happy about this. There’s going to be problems. Problems you could have avoided if you didn’t marry that little witch.”
“That little witch is right here,” I huff. “She can hear you.”
Francesca ignores me. “She is a problem, Enzo.”
“I can’t exactly divorce her at this point. Nikolai Volkov and her family won’t be happy. I made the deal, Francesca. You and everyone else needs to deal with it. It was a deal for peace. It’s not to hurt anyone.”
“Think about Gianna.” Francesca grabs Gianna’s arm and pushes her forward. “What if one of those disgusting Bratva men get their hands on her?”
“I am thinking about Gianna,” Enzo says in a hard tone. “I am thinking of how I can keep her safe. You two should return to Connecticut. It’s safer there.”
“Connecticut is not that far away. Anyone could come for us.”
“I will not let that happen. You and Gianna are safe.” Enzo turns to his sister and gently tilts her head up. “Are you doing ok?”
She offers him a soft smile and he returns it. It’s the first time I’ve gotten to see a softer side to Enzo. So, he’s not a complete monster. Good to know.
I still don’t like him though.
“I’m fine,” Gianna says. Her voice is so soft, it’s hard to hear her. The complete opposite of me. Maksim would always complain I was too loud.
“Get home safely.”
She nods before her eyes flick to mine. “Are you happy?”
For a moment, I think she’s asking me until I realize it’s a question for her brother. “I am happy,” he responds. “Now, get going.”
Gianna heads for the front door but Francesca stays rooted. A woman like her doesn’t like being told what to do.
“She is a problem,” Francesca says, pointing at me.
“Can still hear you,” I taunt.
“See? She’s baiting me.”
“That’s because you’re being rude,” Enzo says. “Francesca, you need to leave”
The shocked expression on Francesca’s face makes me laugh. “Do you hear her? She’s the rude one. She just laughed at me.”
“Kira,” Enzo says in a tired voice. “Just stop making a sound.”
“I’ll stop when your annoying, rude aunt stops being annoying and rude to me.”
Francesca storms over to the couch, towering over me. I hate that I can’t stand right now because if I could, I would make myself as large as I could. “You think you’re funny, little girl?”
“Yes,” I state.
In one quick motion, Francesca slaps me across the face.
“Francesca,” Enzo says.
Before I even know what I’m doing, I slap Francesca right back. She lifts her hand to hit me again when Enzo pulls her back.
“Enough,” he says in a tone that speaks to no disagreements. “Enough. Francesca, go. You are acting like a child when you’re a grown adult. Leave. Gianna is waiting.”
With a glare in my direction, Francesca storms out of the living room. When the front door closes, I let out a breath of relief.