Page 104 of Tristano

“That’s your problem. You need to take your head out of the ground and take a look at the woman you are going to marry. This is who she is. Can you handle that?” She crosses her arms, staring me down.

I swallow hard. I can handle that. At least, that’s what I’ve been telling her. I don’t like this feeling in my chest though. The one where I feel like she might be in danger and I’m not there to help her.

Enzo raises his hands. “How about we all calm down.”

I let out a breath and place my hands on my head as I pace the room.

After several minutes of silence, I stop and look at Greer.

“I know you’re right. She’s strong and capable. She can handle it, but I don’t like knowing that she has to. She’s been brushing off therapy until we figure this out. I’m worried she will have an episode and not know how to react.”

Greer’s hard look softens as she walks over to me. She pulls me in for a hug.

“I hear your concerns. I’m sure she will too, but you have to trust that she knows what’s best for her. She won’t always make the right decisions, but knowing you will always be there to catch her will boost her confidence and help her heal. Hopefully today we can get a handle on this and get her into therapy. She’s family now. We won’t let her fall.”

I rest my head on her shoulder. “Thank you.”

Enzo clears his throat, making us both look over at him.

“You’ll be delighted to hear that it worked. She’s safe. Matteo just texted. She’s on the way over to the basement with Matteo and Conor.”

I take a deep breath, letting it calm me.

She’s okay.

“Let’s head over there.” Greer pats my shoulder.

“I’ll drive.” I grab my keys.

“I don’t have a death wish,” Greer mutters as she pushes her way in front of me.

Enzo places his hand on my shoulder, stopping me from leaving. “Are you good?”

“How would you feel if Danica put herself in that position?”

“Oh, I’d be fucking furious, but there’s a major difference between Danica and Serena. Danica is a former model who would rather pretend the world is perfect with no danger, which I work hard to make happen for her. Serena prefers to look behind the curtain and see the truth. She wants to chase down the bad guys and make the world safer. Like Greer said, she can handle this.”

“I know. It’s still hard.”

“It’s that protectiveness in us. Don’t stifle her though. If this is what brings her peace, then let her do it.”

Greer peeks her head back into the room. “Are we going to watch this interrogation or what?”

Enzo slaps my shoulder and pushes me forward.

“Are you going to lose your shit?” Greer asks.

I scoff. “Who me? Never.”

The drive over is a silent one. I don’t know if it’s because they know I’m holding on by a thread or what, but Greer and Enzo are oddly quiet. It gives me time to lose myself in my thoughts.

Is she really okay? What state am I going to find her in?

The image that keeps popping into my head is seeing her tied up when I found her in Chicago. Why would she put herself in the position to be put back in something like that?

It’s riding me hard enough that as soon as Enzo pulls up to the warehouse we use to interrogate our enemies, I hop out before he even stops the car.

Greer curses at me, but I hustle inside and down the stairs.

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