Page 37 of Dirty Deeds

“Any day works for me.”

“Good, and again, I’m sorry for the way I acted.”

I offer him a smile. This is the man I’ve come to know over the last six months. The guy who goes above and beyond for others and puts his family first. That other side of him, it’s just a mask.

“Again, apology accepted and for what it’s worth, I’m sorry too, Al.”

CHAPTERTWELVE

ENZO SCOTTO

Danica and Roleft my dad’s house shortly after they made amends. I offered to drive them with Ro’s car, but that was quickly shut down by everyone. For a bunch of criminals, they sure have no problem following the law when it concerns me. I decided not to press it, though, especially when Nico offered to follow them home just to make sure they got in okay. Plus, I was starting to get the impression that Danica was overwhelmed. Not just by the situation with Brent or the toll rehashing her brother’s situation took on her, but by me as well. The last thing I wanted was for her to run again. So with my brother as her escort, I took her number and told her I’d call her tomorrow.

I ate whatever was left of Maria’s manicotti, spent some time with my family, then went home and took a much-needed shower. I threw on a pair of basketball shorts and one of the new Scotto Construction tees that Riggs designed and decided to catch up on some work. I had a couple jobs that I had to reschedule due to my arrest, and a ton of phone calls to return. I invoiced a couple of clients and did the week’s payroll. Then I paid some bills and placed an order for tile. Tomorrow I’d start a massive renovation on a client’s master bath. When I was done with all that, a thought crossed my mind.

How is it that after all this time, I don’t know what Danica does for work?

We talked for a long while the night we were together, and I can’t remember her mentioning her having a job. That should be one of the first things someone asks, no? It’s the ultimate ice breaker.

I reached for my phone and shot her a text.

Me: I just realized something. It’s Enzo by the way.

She replied almost instantly.

Danica: I know. I saved your number. What did you realize?

Me: I don’t know what you do for a living.

Danica: I’m a stripper.

I laughed out loud.

Me: Oh, so you’re a comedian.

She sent me a wink emoji and the little bubbles appeared, signaling she was typing out another text.

Danica: I didn’t work when Brent and I were married. His choice, not mine. Stupid, I know. Once we got divorced, I got my real estate license.

Me: So you’re a realtor.

Danica: Yes, and I’m taking a couple of online college courses. I have an associate’s degree, but I’m going for my bachelor’s in education.

To say I was impressed is putting it lightly. Also, it’s kind of perfect that she’s a realtor. I fix houses and she sells them. We’re like the fucking dream team.

We continued to text for a while. She told me her dad died when she and Derrick were kids and that her mom moved to Arizona after Danica graduated high school. They were never really close, but when Derrick got in trouble and she didn’t fly in to show her support, they grew even further apart. She calls her once a month and most of the time she doesn’t even answer the phone.

At one point I thought about calling her. Celeste wasn’t working tomorrow, so her visit with Brent got pushed to Friday, therefore she wasn’t in a rush to get any sleep. My thumbs were getting a workout and I really wanted to hear her voice. Then she text me she was going in the shower, that’d she call me tomorrow.

It was the worst possible thing she could’ve text because all I could think about was her wet, naked body and how I’d give my left nut to lick every drop of water from her silky skin. That only led to me recalling every stolen touch I took throughout the day, leaving me hard, horny, and fucking angry because I had her in reach, and I didn’t even fucking kiss her. To add insult to injury, I wasn’t even sure when I’d see her next. So I did what any man acting like a teenager would do, I called my big brother and begged him to be my wingman.

“It’s twelve o’clock at night, Enzo, if you’re calling me to tell me you got arrested—”

I cut him off, saving myself the misery of a lecture. “Did you follow Danica to Ro’s house or hers?” I make my way to my bedroom and grab a pair of socks from the top drawer.

“I followed her to Ro’s then after she switched cars, I followed her to hers. Why?”

Lowering myself onto the foot of the bed, I put the phone on speaker and begin to pull on my socks.

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