Page 21 of Dirty Deeds

Releasing a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, I keep my eyes pinned to the little girl. She looks exactly the way he described her. Big ringlets of curls frame her heart-shaped face, and trail down her shoulders. She pushes them away, revealing a pair of big, brown eyes and lifts her chin. Even from where I sit, I can easily spot the adoration she has for Enzo shining bright as she stares up at him like he hangs the moon, a crooked grin on her face.

“That’s his niece.” I pause, completely enthralled by the little girl who reaches for his big hand. He smiles at her, and a sense of longing washes over me, reminding me my stupid biological clock is ticking away.

Swinging their joined hands, he lifts his head and starts for the bar, completely oblivious that me and Ro are ogling him and the little girl he proudly refers to as Anna Banana.

“That little girl has that man wrapped around her finger,” Ro says. “I mean, look at the smile on his face. He does not look like someone who just spent the night in jail.”

She isn’t wrong.

Suddenly, he freezes in his tracks and turns his head. His eyes connect with mine through the window and the easy smile falls from his lips. The girl who drove him must not have been paying attention because she walks right into him, her front colliding with his back. He, however, doesn’t even flinch at the collision, he’s too busy staring at me.

“Looks like we’ve been spotted,” Ro says. I tear my gaze away from him and look at her, panic coursing through me.

“We have to leave,” I blurt.

Like, now. We have to leave now!

“What? Why?”

“Because this was not part of the plan!” I screech.

I spent the whole drive over here quietly rehearsing what I’d say to Wolf. I didn’t bank on having to see or speak to Enzo. I’m at a total loss on what to do here. “I don’t know what to say to him,” I admit, worrying my lower lip between my teeth.

“Well, you can start with, hey, sorry I dipped out on you six months ago. I’m an idiot. The sex was great, and the memory of your cock lives rent free in my head.”

I glare at her.

“Okay, well what about thanks for beating my ex to a bloody pulp. Don’t worry I’m going to get the money he stole and make sure it finds its way back to your family’s charity. I don’t know how, but I’m going to do it and I’m going to do it because your dad scares the fuck out of me.” She pauses, scrunching her nose. “Yeah, maybe you just say hi, is your dad around and leave it at that.”

Every option sounds ridiculous. We need to leave. End of story.

“You’re no help,” I hiss.

A knock sounds on the window, startling me and I jump. For a second I wish I could close my eyes and disappear, then I remind myself that running from the situations that scare us often end with us losing out on moments and experiences we’re meant to have.

I very slowly turn to meet Enzo’s gaze. He motions for me to roll down the window, but I’m too busy trying to remember how to breathe. Lucky for him, Ro is eager to help, and does the job. If I don’t kill her before this day is done, then I never will.

“Well, this is familiar,” he quips, that infamous smirk teasing the corners of his mouth. “If you wanted a reenactment, all you had to do was ask. I’m happy to oblige.”

The inuendo causes my cheeks to flush. I forgot how blunt he could be.

“That’s not what this is.”

“Shame.” He glances down at the little girl attached to his hip, then brings his eyes back to mine. “If there weren’t little ears listening to me, I’d remind you of what you’re missing.”

His aloof attitude is puzzling. How can he be this calm and sharp-witted after the night he’s had while I’m over here, shaking my head, trying to find my voice?

“I… don’t need a… reminder,” I stammer. I realize my mistake as soon as the words leave my lips and the grin on his widens even more.

“I didn’t think so, but then again I didn’t get a good look at you when you left that morning, so I didn’t know if you were walking a little funny. If you weren’t then we might have to try that again. When I set a goal, I meet it.”

Oh my God.

“Uncle Enzo! It’s rude not to introduce me to your friends.”

“I’m with the kid,” Ro chimes in.

Enzo bends slightly, making himself eye-level with both Anna and Ro.

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