12. Enzo

12

ENZO

E ven though I know Gabriella is upset with me and her cousins want to kick my ass, I still show up early to the designated spot where the Five Families meeting is scheduled to take place the next day. A part of me considered not coming, but I’m too desperate to see her and I need to try to get a read on her. See where her head is when it comes to us.

I park in the corner of the Italian restaurant’s parking lot instead of right in front of the entrance like I normally would, and then I wait, watching as everyone else arrives and walks inside. Five minutes before the meeting is scheduled to start, Gabriella pulls in and parks her Dodge Hellcat. I open my door and head toward her. When she notices me, she turns away and starts chatting with Aldo DeLuca who just pulled up. Clenching my fists, I slow down and decide not to say anything yet. Apparently, she needs more time, but she’s not going to get much more. I need for us to talk and figure out what this thing is between us.

Or, you need to forget her and focus on acquiring the business you want, a little voice says. Hell, I don’t know what to do.

“Enzo!”

I stop and look over my shoulder to see Angelo hurrying toward me. He always walks in a minute or two before the meeting starts. My youngest brother isn’t the most responsible guy, and he’s too carefree to take this clandestine mafia stuff as seriously as the others.

I wait for him to catch up and we walk in together.

“Your girl is looking mighty fine today,” Angelo murmurs under his breath, and I feel my pulse speed up as I spot Gabriella already sitting down by Aldo and her idiot cousins.

“She’s not my girl,” I hiss.

“Yeah, but you want her to be.”

Do I? As we sit down, Ang’s words float around my head and I can’t deny it. Making Gabriella my girlfriend…well, it doesn’t seem enough and I’m not sure how to wrap my head around that thought.

Could we have more? I wonder. And what exactly is more? Do I want her to move in with me? That seems like a crazy, big step, but if we’re together, I want her by my side. At all times. I’m not sure when I got so possessive. It’s a strange feeling, one I’ve never dealt with before. Yet, here I am, feeling all caveman over the beautiful woman sitting across from me and ignoring me thoroughly.

It stings and I don’t fucking like it.

Last night, she kissed me. She made the first move and now she’s acting like I don’t even exist. Talk about a mind fuck. It’s confusing as hell and I need to talk to her.

For the next two hours, I zone in and out while everyone argues. The Rossi’s, The Bianchi’s, The DeLuca’s, The Caparelli’s and The Milano’s are a combustible, unpredictable and very powerful group. Some days, we see eye to eye, though very rarely. Most meetings, like this one, someone is pissed off about something and we spend the better part of the meeting arguing. I can’t even pretend I’m interested. I’m too busy watching Gabriella’s every move.

Like me, she’s also uncharacteristically quiet. Neither of us utters a word the entire time, but our gazes keep returning to each other. I also notice how Tommaso and Romeo are glaring at me like they’re wishing immediate death upon me. Bastards. I’m not too concerned about them, though. My brothers are here and if they tried to start shit, all I would do is step back and watch Miceli pound them into the ground. And, I know he’d do it with a smile on his face. Those two are nothing but huge pains in the ass.

Once the meeting finally ends, Gabriella bolts faster than a skittish deer. I’m debating whether or not I should run after her when Angelo grabs my arm, halting me midstep.

“Let her go,” he tells me in a low voice. “She’s clearly spooked.”

“And why’s that?” Vin asks, moving up beside us.

“What happened between you and Gabriella?” Miceli appears out of nowhere and I sigh. Busted. I guess I may as well confide in my other brothers because they’re going to find out sooner rather than later, knowing them.

“Can we discuss this over a drink?” I ask. “Preferably a strong one?”

“Yeah, the stronger the better because this guy fucked up pretty bad,” Angelo says and laughs.

“It’s not funny, asshole,” I grind out.

“Oh, boy, I can’t wait to hear this,” Vin says, rubbing his hands together. “Because if I remember correctly, you thought how I met Hannah was pretty amusing.”

“No, what I found amusing was the fact that my uptight older brother found himself at a kinky sex auction.”

“Only because you gave me your invitation,” he reminds me.

“I had no idea what it was about.”

“So you keep saying,” Angelo comments and slaps an arm around my shoulder. “Let’s go over to Madden’s. I think their drinks oughta be strong enough.”

I nod and tell my brothers I’ll meet them over at the cigar bar that specializes in whiskey from around the world. After a few drinks, I’ll need one of them to drop me off because I plan to get blitzed.

This is why I’ve avoided any kind of serious relationship, I think. It’s too damn much work and frustrating me to no end. Gabriella is a hard nut to crack and, although I usually enjoy a good challenge, I don’t like the way my feelings are all over the place. It’s like they’re being tossed around in a washing machine and I’ve never been this so unsure of something in my entire life.

As soon as I walk into Madden’s, I head straight to the bar and start a tab. I’m the first to arrive and, by the time my brothers get there, I’ve already taken a sip of my expensive glass of whiskey and I’m puffing away on a cherry cigar.

“Hey, wait for us,” Angelo says, moving up beside me and waving down the bartender.

“Let’s go sit over there.” Vin orders a drink then walks over to claim a corner area of the bar complete with two couches and a couple of chairs. The place is cozy, set up like a living room and, if you can tolerate the smoke, it’s great. Definitely a gentleman’s club atmosphere and rarely a woman in sight. And that’s exactly what I need right now. No more estrogen. No, thank you.

Once we’re all situated with drinks and cigars, I lean back on the couch and stretch my long legs out in front of me. This is exactly what I needed—some time hanging with my brothers. For once, work isn’t the answer and that’s pretty unusual for me. Normally, it consumes my life, but ever since Gabriella, it hasn’t seemed nearly as fulfilling.

“Okay, spill it,” Vincentius says. “And why does Angelo know what’s going on, but we don’t?”

Miceli leans forward, dark eyes intense. “Yeah, what’s up with that?”

“You guys are busy with your wives and babies,” I say.

“I’m the only one around here with a baby,” Miceli states. “He’s still got some time.”

We all look at Vin who’s expecting twins with his wife, Hannah.

“We still have a few months,” Vin says. “Thank God, too, because preparing for one baby is hard enough. But two? It’s like we need double of everything.”

“You do need double of everything,” Angelo says and we all laugh.

“Where’s Carlotta?” I ask. She hasn’t been at the last couple of meetings, but she’s also never been overly interested in the family business.

“She went on a girls’ trip. Now stop trying to change the subject.” Vin leans forward, waiting for me to spill my guts…so I do. I tell them everything about how Gabriella and I hooked up and then found ourselves in a face-off over Holloway Corp.

“It’s torture seeing her every day and not knowing where we stand,” I finish. “I don’t know how to fix this mess I made.”

“I guess it boils down to what’s most important to you, bro—Gabriella or owning another business?” Micelia says.

“I’d hardly say you need another business,” Vin states. “A woman, however. Yeah, you need that. Seems to me like you’re definitely going to have to make a choice here. And soon.”

“I was contemplating walking away from the entire deal,” I admit. “But then I decided to stay because I was scared she’d shut me out completely. At least now, I get to see her every day.”

“That’s lame,” Angelo says. “Especially when you’re fighting.”

“We weren’t fighting last night,” I can’t help but say, then quickly take a sip of my whiskey.

“Oh?” Vin raises a brow.

“What exactly were you doing?” Angelo presses with a smirk.

“I asked her to stay late and picked up a pizza. Let’s just say she wanted more than the pizza.”

“Are you exaggerating?” Miceli asks doubtfully.

“She kissed me and then things went a little further. But, we got interrupted by housekeeping and Bri jet so fast my head spun. Then she completely ignored me just now at the meeting. I don’t know what to make of it. Does she want me? Does she not? Fuck, women are confusing.”

“ Bri? ” Vin exchanges a knowing look with Miceli.

“What?”

“You have a nickname for her?” Miceli asks.

“Other than pain in the ass? Yeah, so what?” I know I’m being belligerent, but their knowing smiles are annoying me.

“Hey, nothing wrong with that. It’s cute.” My brothers chuckle and I want to punch each one of them.

“Unclench your fists,” Miceli says. “I think it’s time to man-up and face the truth—you purposely stepped on Gabriella’s toes and went after Holloway Corp. because you were pissed she left after your one night together. But, I’d say it’s pretty apparent that you both want more. So instead of imploding from sexual frustration, go apologize. It’s much simpler.”

“Apologize?” I echo. “For what? Doing my job? Holloway Corp. is a great opportunity?—”

Vin lifts his hand, effectively cutting me off. “Stop, Enzo. No more bullshit. Do you want to be with Gabriella? Yes or no?”

I swallow hard, lift my hand and order another drink. Honestly, I don’t have to think about his question too hard. The answer is a resounding yes. But, I think I have to get over my pride first.

“You’re going to have to make a choice,” Miceli says. “Her or the business.”

“I always choose business,” I tell them.

“Doesn’t mean it’s the right answer,” Vin states wisely.

He’s right. They all are and, for the first time, I understand exactly what I have to do—suck up my pride and, as hard as it is, admit I’m sorry for taking advantage of the situation and jumping in and screwing up her deal with Holloway Corp.

“I want to be with Gabriella,” I announce to my brothers. Ignoring the drink the server just set down on the table, I pop up and stub my cigar out. “Okay, I’m going over to her place right now. I’ll apologize?—”

“Prepare to grovel,” Miceli interjects.

“I can do that,” I say, nodding. “And I’ll step away from Holloway. What else?”

“Sexual favors always seem to work,” Angelo adds, dark eyes twinkling.

“I have no problem with that,” I say, and my brothers laugh.

“Go get her,” Miceli encourages me, and I keep nodding like an idiot.

“You’ve got this,” Vin says and tosses me a salute.

“Okay, wish me luck.”

“Good luck,” Angelo says in a sing-song voice. “You’re gonna need it.”

They all chuckle as I turn around and head out, my mind set on apologizing to Gabriella. I’m glad my brothers talked some sense into me. For the first time, things seem more clear. I just have to hope Gabriella is in a forgiving mood. That’s going to be the tricky part. Mafia princesses aren’t exactly known for their forgiving nature.

I’m too big of a coward to call her first, so I drive straight to her place and grab the door as a tenant is leaving. Even though I’ve never been here, I’m a stalker and saw her address on some paperwork and, of course, committed it to memory. Jesus, I must be losing my mind.

She’s in apartment twelve and, right before I knock, I send up a prayer for some good luck. I’m going to need it, just like Ang said.

“Here goes nothing,” I whisper under my breath, lift my hand and knock firmly. I hear movement from inside, so at least she’s home. When the door swings open a moment later, my chest tightens. Gabriella is wearing a t-shirt, boxer shorts and she’s barefoot with her long hair twisted up in a messy bun on top of her head. She’s never looked more beautiful to me and before she can slam the door in my face, I wedge my foot in, and the words spew from me like water from a faucet.

“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry for being a dick and moving in on Holloway. The only reason I did it was so I could see you again and because I was pissed off that you’d left early after our night together. Because I wasn’t ready for things to end. I’m still not ready for them to end.”

Her eyes widen and before she can say a word, I push the rest of the door open, step inside and drag her against my body.

“I’m so damn sorry, Bri. Please forgive me. I’m ready to beg, honey. Just say the words and I’ll be down on my knees.”

Instead of making me beg, Gabriella tells me everything I need to know when she presses her lips against mine in the softest, sweetest kiss. Then she pulls back and looks up at me. “I’ve been waiting for that.”

Oh, thank God. My knees almost sag in relief as she tugs me inside, kicking the door shut behind her.