Page 42 of Top Dog
“It was nothing,” Romeo said.
“It doesn’t sound like nothing,” I said.
“It’s dancing again,” Matteo said.
I hushed my son as Romeo bit back a smile.
“If you’ll excuse us, we’ll get out of your way,” I said, taking Matteo’s hand again.
“Julia?”
“Yes?”
I turned around in the middle of escorting my son out the front door.
“Talk soon?” Romeo asked.
“When you’re feeling better,” I said.
“Promise?”
I watched Enrico come through the door, his eyes landing heavily on Romeo.
“Come on. We need to head back,” Enrico said.
I looked back at Romeo as the detective began peppering him with questions. I nodded in his direction. I watched his eyes light up a bit. Such a small gesture bringing such happiness to those blue eyes. That was the Romeo I remembered. I knew he was in there somewhere. I had to bring him to the light somehow. I escorted Matteo out the door and to the car, feeling Enrico’s presence looming heavily over us.
“Why did you fetch me?” I asked. “Is something up?”
“Get in the car,” Enrico said.
He opened the door for me, but I refused to get in.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Simply doing my job, Miss Bianchi. Now please get in.”
I was flabbergasted at how he was talking to me, but I listened. I figured he was upset at me fo
r snapping at him earlier, and I did owe him an apology. The two of us had been friends for a very long time, and I had forced him back into a position of subservience. Enrico deserved better than that, especially with the positive influence he brought into my son’s life.
“I’m sorry,” I said as I buckled my seat belt. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you the way I did back at the house.”
Enrico was silent as he backed the car down the driveway.
“I was upset and worried for Romeo. I thought maybe someone had—”
I couldn’t even say it.
“I accept your apology, Julia. Please understand that all I want is the best for both you and Matteo. And I don’t think he’s it.”
“Who’s it?” Matteo asked.
“You’re it when we get home,” I said with a grin.
Then I shot a look at Enrico before he started driving down the road.
I knew he had feelings for me, and something told me his feelings were what drove his decision to command me out of there. And I didn’t like that. His job was to protect my son and me, not to dictate when we were coming or going.
