“I assure you. This is not the first time I’ve been shot, nor will it be the last. I have highly trained staff who are more than capable of taking care of these things, just as I am capable of caring for myself. You may leave the antibiotics and go.” I dismiss him again, and a small smirk twists the corner of Enzo’s mouth.
“Very well. I will be looking for my payment.” He huffs, shoulder-checking Enzo as he flounces out the door dramatically.
“Speak. I know you have more to say.” I tell Enzo.
“We’ve got to find a better fucking doctor than that asshole. His face is the kind you just want to punch. Repeatedly.” Enzo shrugs, and I choke out some semblance of a laugh.
“That’s not what I meant, but I agree with you. We’ll find someone eventually. I know you have something to say about Vanessa, so say it.” I lean my head back, staring at the ceiling.
“It’s not my place, sir. Your decisions are not made to be questioned.” Enzo states, straightening his spine. He is a loyal soldier, a quality that is becoming harder and harder to find without incentive. Most don’t know he and I share a bond much closer than any other soldier in my army, that we share blood, and he prefers it that way.
“I’m not asking for your response as your Don, Enzo. I’m asking for your opinion as my brother, as her friend.” He seems caught off guard by my referring to him as her friend, but I know that’s what she would consider him. She sees most people as friends, even though she puts on this tough exterior.
“Sir, I believe M.s Diaz is truly special. And I don’t want you to think that means I see her in any way but as the kind of woman who could actually best you. Someone who could match this world we live in, and not let it devour her. I understand your need to send her away, to get her as far from danger as you felt necessary. But if I can offer you my advice, don’t keep her there for too long. She’s smarter and more capable than I think any of us give her credit for. She might surprise you. After all, I’ve never had anyone threaten to shoot me if I dared to separate them from you before.” He scoffs, and my brows raise in surprise.
I had begun to convince myself that it had all been a dream. Something hazy in my mind plays out the scene of Vanessa holding my gun inches away from Enzo’s chest, his hands held up in surrender, the rest of the men backing out of the room. It felt like something out of a movie, something wild and feral where a beast defends its kill. Only she was defending me, begging in the most savage way not to be taken from me. And I sent her as far away as I could.
I don’t dwell in regrets, it’s not in my nature. I make decisions and deal with the consequences. My only solace comes in knowing there is no one on Earth I trust more to keep her safe than Matteo. The thought crossed my mind when I told himto follow her that I was sending my second in command out of this country while I was completely unable to lead my men, to protect them if something else should go wrong. The entire purpose of Matteo’s role in Fortuna is to lead when I cannot, and I told him to go. But her safety is more important to me than anything else has ever been. When I think of someone hurting her, of anything even coming close, it’s a devastation I cannot stomach.
“I know the great fortune I found in her, Enzo. I am only trying to protect her the best way I know how. By keeping her as far away from me as possible. This world is dark and dangerous. It seems too hard for someone as phenominal as she is.” I feel my strength slowly fading. I need rest, my body begging for relief. Enzo laughs lightly, and I raise a brow at him.
“Sir, forgive me. But have you met the woman? Dark and dangerous seem to define her in almost every way.” He replies, and I can’t help but smile.
I know he’s right. First, I will heal my body, then I will dismantle and rebuild this organization. I will make it the family I’ve always intended it to be. The kind I can trust to protect Vanessa for the rest of our lives. Because the further she gets from my reach, the more my heart constricts, squeezing like a vice. I feel more and more like I might die if I can’t touch her soon, if I can’t feel her next to me.
“You may be on to something there, Enzo. Luckily for us all, I don’t plan to let her get away. I just need…time.”
twenty-four
It’s beentwo weeks since I got home from Italy. Two of the longest weeks of my life without a single word from Sebastian. Matteo didn’t listen to me, of course. As much as I begged him to return home, he’s been squatting in the apartment on the same couch I called home a few months ago. Rory has lingered in the coffee shop, helping with the day-to-day tasks even though I don’t really need her to. I think she’s just trying to keep tabs on me more than anything else. It’s as if she’s worried I’m going to shatter at any moment if I have to spend another day without Sebastian returning to sweep me off my feet.
Even though I miss him desperately, I’m not the type to sit around waiting for my prince to come to my rescue. I have my own life, my own responsibilities to fulfill here. I can’t just abandon them to wait around for a savior, no matter how much I love him. So for now, I’ll keep moving through each day, keep running my business and living this life, hoping I’m just one more day closer to seeing him again.
“Do you think your Italian shadow will live here forever?” Rory asks, and I snort out a laugh, steaming my hundredth cup of milk for the day.
“Very doubtful,” I tell her, shooting a glance at Matteo reading a book in the corner of the cafe.
Every day has been the same. I wake up before the sun, attempt to rouse Matteo like the sleeping teenager he is, take Doug for a morning walk, and open the shop. I wouldn’t call it robotic, but it does feel like going through the motions. Doug was beyond excited to see me, and I felt the same. He’s spent every night since I’ve been home sprawled across my body in bed. As much as I missed him, being covered in a hundred and forty pounds of dog isn’t exactly my idea of a good time.
“Shame. He’s not terrible for business. I think the female population of Grovewood has been coming in for coffee at least three times a day since he’s been in town.” Rory laughs, and I can’t help but agree. Matteo smirks, and I know he’s eavesdropping on our conversation.
“Mind your business, Gallo,” I shout over the sound of the espresso grinder as I make one last drink for myself.
“I’m gonna wipe down the last few tables and then head out, unless you need anything else from me,” Rory says, and I nod.
“That sounds perfect. Thank you so much for your help. I’d say you don’t need to keep coming in, but I don’t think you’d listen to me in the first place, so I’ll see you tomorrow.” I smile at her, and she winks back.
“You know it, babe.” She finishes cleaning, tossing the dirty rag into the sink behind the bar and grabbing her purse. “Love you!”
“Get home safe!” I wave, rinsing the drip trays and setting them aside to dry.
“You don’t need to hover here, either, Matteo. It’s a little stalkerish of you, honestly.” I raise a brow at him, trying to suppress a smile.
“Stalking you relentlessly is my job, Ness. Sebastian would kill me if anything happened to you in my absence.” He replied, not looking up from his book.
“Nothing is going to happen to me here in Grovewood. Nothing ever happens here.” I busy myself wiping down counters then finish the last of the dishes.
He looks conflicted, like Sebastian really told him to never let me out of his sight for even a moment, or he’d lose his position. Or maybe something worse, like his life. I don’t say a word, letting him process on his own. After a few moments, he closes his book, standing to shake out the sleeves of his suit jacket. The man has been wearing suits every single day since he’s been here, no matter what I’ve said to convince him this is a casual town.