Page 13 of Second in Command
It made me sad that everyone couldn’t enjoy the freedom that I so desperately gave to myself. To feel and enjoy all the things that life may offer, but everyone has their own path, and maybe Enzo’s isn’t similar to mine.
“You don’t have to look at me like that,” he lifts his eyes from his plate, “I assure you that I’m happy.”
I hesitate before nodding.
“Let’s talk about that attitude of yours though,” he teases, and I roll my eyes.
I’m about to reply when from the corner of my eye, I notice someone lurking in the background. The person quickly retreats once they notice that I’ve seen them, and not taking any chances, I reach for my purse.
Enzo notices, and his face quickly goes from relaxed, to stoic. He places his fork down and lays a palm flat on the dinner table. I furrow my eyebrows as he shakes his head.
“Just relax,” he says quietly.
I want to question him, but I don’t. Enzo reaches for a spoon and holds it up. It looks as if he was inspecting it, but I could tell he was trying to see who was behind him.
“Come on,” he leaves the money on the table, and holds out his arm. Quickly, I intertwine my hands with his, and we exit the building on high alert. My heart pounded in my chest the moment we step outside. I expected impact, movement — something. But there was none.
My heels began to ache, and I cursed myself. Enzo was walking quickly, and as we were attached, I had no choice but to keep up with his pace.
“Did you see them?” I ask, and he nods.
“Who are they?”
“I don’t know,” he mutters, “but they’re here for us. Keep walking.”
“I feel like we should be on the lookout for them, what if they come from behind us.”
“Keep walking.”
I turn to look at Enzo, gaging his reaction. To say I was nervous would be an understatement, my hands shoot with anticipation. When I turned to look back on my path, a man bumped into me with so much force that I nearly fell on my ass. I waste no time pulling my gun out of my bag, and pointing it straight at his head.
“Woah! Francesca?”
My eyes widen as Michael, my regular customer stands in front of me, perplexed. His hands were held up in a surrender, and his lips were parted.
I quickly lowered my gun.
“We should keep going,” Enzo says, outstretching his hand once more.
Michael notices him, and scowls.
“You fucker,” he snaps, “Miss Donato, is this man bothering you?”
“What? No — Michael, I’m sorry for pointing the gun at you—”
“Is something wrong?”
“I need to go,” I tell him, taking Enzo’s hand, “Uh-I’ll—I’ll see you soon.”
Enzo ignores Michael, pulling me in the direction of his car. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like anyone had followed us. We didn’t speak about it, and I didn’t bother bringing it up because Enzo seemed beyond pissed on the way back home. He kept glancing in the rearview mirror every few seconds. Once we got back to the manor, he helped me inside the house before disappearing into my father’s office without a further word.
eight
Enzo Andonetto
“Did you see a face,Enzo—and maybe you should take a seat, relax.”
I shake my head no, standing with both hands glued to my hip.
