Page 15 of Second in Command
“I believe so as well, there must be something, we’re just not looking hard enough. Just safeguard your files, and change the locks to the office.”
We both nod, and I turn to leave.
“Enzo,” he calls, “how was the date?”
I open my mouth to speak, before realizing that I hadn’t even told Francesca goodnight. I just left her in the living room. I shut my eyes tightly for a split-second, pressing my lips together.
“It was actually really good . . . I feel like we can do it again.”
“Good. But please take warning, even if I consider you my son, there’s absolutely nothing I wouldn’t do for my daughter,nothing.”
“I understand.”
Alberto Donato hums, and I take that as my dismissal. I thought maybe I’d catch Francesca sitting on the couch, or in the kitchen, but the house was in complete darkness. I stared at the stairs, contemplating going to see her, but perhaps she was asleep by now. Despite my conviction, I turned around and left, deciding that I’d come to see her first thing the next day.
I was just so caught up in everything that had happened. Having Francesca with me — what if she hadn’t noticed those men? Who were they after? It angered me endlessly, and I believed with my whole heart that Michael-cat was involved in one way or another. It just didn’t seem coincidental that he bumped into us at that moment.
When I climbed into my car, I quickly took her smell. It caught me by surprise, and I had to take a moment to gather myself. It reminded me of her smile, once we arrived at the flower cart. It reminded me of the way she looked at each flower, tracing the petals where she could. Francesca was truly something different, and it pissed me off to no end that I left her like that.
I let out a grunt of disapproval, staring at the house. I glance at my watch to find that it was 11:15. My mind was all over the place. I wanted to rush in and apologize for leaving her the way I did, but it was late.What if she was already asleep?
With a deep breath, I pull my key out of the ignition, and race back into the house, and up the stairs.
In front of her door, I wring my hands and knock softly.
It doesn’t take long for her to slowly pull it open. She leans against the door, half her body hidden. She tilts her head at me.
“Now why would you wait until I had my nightcap on,” she jokes, breaking the silence, and a sense of relief floods my body.
“You look beautiful regardless.”
“Oh please,” she smiles softly, looking away, “you can hardly see me in this darkness.”
“Then we should turn on the lights.”
Francesca looks back up into my eyes and bites her lips.
“It’s late . . .”
“I won’t stay long.”
She ponders on it for a moment, before pulling her door open, and letting me in. She switched on the lights, and I noticed that the flowers were already nicely set up, in their own pots outside of her window.
“I loved them—still do,” she murmurs, crossing her arms over her chest, “thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I mutter, and she lets out a small breath. She was dressed in loose pants and a large t-shirt. She walks over to her bed and sits. I do the same, taking a small seat next to her.
“I just left you out in the hall, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I figured what happened at the restaurant must’ve spooked you.”
“It didn’tspookme, I’m neverspooked,”she laughs, covering her mouth and leaning away, “I was angrier that if something had happened, you would’ve been in harm’s way.”
“That’s sweet,” she smirks, “you continue to surprise me.”
“That’s what I aim to do.”
“Nothing like the rumors at all,” she continues, “you’re just a teddy bear under that suit, aren’t you?”
