10. Family Ties

CHAPTER 10

FAMILY TIES

The sleek black SUV rolled to a stop outside the imposing gates of the Ricci family compound. Enzo felt his stomach churn with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. It had been weeks since he'd last set foot on these grounds, weeks since he'd faced his father and the weight of family expectations.

Matteo's hand on his thigh grounded him, a warm, reassuring presence. "You've got this, baby," Matteo murmured, his voice low and confident. "Just remember what we talked about. Stay calm, stick to the facts."

Enzo nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Right. Calm. Facts. No problem."

As they approached the main house, Enzo couldn't help but notice the increased security presence. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, their eyes sharp and wary. The recent attacks had everyone on edge.

Don Ricci was waiting for them in his study, a room that had always felt more like a throne room to Enzo. The Don sat behind his massive mahogany desk, his face an impassive mask as Enzo and Matteo entered.

"Sit," Don Ricci commanded, gesturing to the chairs before him.

Enzo complied, fighting the urge to fidget under his father's scrutiny. Matteo took up position behind Enzo's chair, a silent but imposing presence.

"You wanted to see me, Father?" Enzo said, proud of how steady his voice sounded.

Don Ricci's eyes narrowed slightly. "Yes. It seems you've been... busy lately. Matteo tells me you've uncovered some valuable information about the attacks on our businesses."

Enzo shot a quick glance at Matteo, surprised. He hadn't realized Matteo had been reporting back to his father. But of course he had—Matteo was still employed by the family, after all.

"That's right," Enzo said, turning back to his father. "We've been investigating, and we believe we've identified the next likely target."

Don Ricci leaned forward, interest piqued. "Go on."

Taking a deep breath, Enzo launched into a detailed explanation of their findings. He laid out the pattern they'd uncovered, the intel they'd gathered about the coalition of smaller families, and their theory about the docks being the next target.

As he spoke, Enzo could feel the weight of his father's gaze, assessing and calculating. But for once, Enzo didn't shrink under that scrutiny. He'd done good work, he knew it, and he was proud of what he and Matteo had accomplished.

When Enzo finished, silence fell over the room. Don Ricci sat back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin as he considered Enzo's words.

"Impressive," Don Ricci said finally. "You've shown initiative, Enzo. And a keen mind for strategy. Perhaps there's hope for you yet."

The backhanded compliment stung, but Enzo pushed past it. "Thank you, Father. We have a plan to set a trap at the docks, catch these bastards in the act."

Don Ricci's eyebrows rose. "We?"

"Matteo and I," Enzo clarified, feeling a surge of pride at being able to claim Matteo as his partner in this. "With your approval, of course."

For a long moment, Don Ricci just stared at Enzo, his expression unreadable. Then, to Enzo's shock, he nodded. "Very well. You have my blessing to proceed. But," he added, his voice hardening, "if this goes sideways, it's on your head. Understood?"

Enzo nodded, a mixture of excitement and trepidation coursing through him. "Yes, sir. We won't let you down."

As they left the study, Enzo felt lightheaded with relief and adrenaline. He'd done it. He'd actually impressed his father, gotten approval for their plan.

"You did good in there, baby," Matteo murmured, his hand coming to rest on the small of Enzo's back. "I'm proud of you."

Enzo beamed at the praise, leaning into Matteo's touch. "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without you, though."

Matteo's eyes softened, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "We make a good team."

The moment was interrupted by the arrival of Enzo's older cousin, Marco. "Well, well," Marco drawled, his eyes narrowing as he took in Enzo and Matteo's closeness. "Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence. And with his faithful watchdog in tow, no less."

Enzo tensed, feeling Matteo go rigid beside him. "Marco," he said, keeping his voice neutral. "Good to see you."

Marco snorted, clearly not buying the pleasantry. "Save it, Enzo. We all know you'd rather be out partying than actually contributing to the family business. So what's your angle here? Trying to get back in Daddy's good graces?"

Anger flared in Enzo's chest, hot and fierce. But before he could retort, Matteo stepped forward, his presence suddenly looming and dangerous.

"Watch your tone," Matteo growled, his voice low and menacing. "Enzo's done more for this family in the past week than you have in years."

Marco's face flushed with rage. "You dare speak to me like that? You're nothing but a hired gun, Salvatore. Know your place."

Enzo saw Matteo's fists clench and knew he had to defuse the situation before it escalated. "That's enough," he snapped, stepping between them. "We're all on the same side here, remember? There are real enemies out there gunning for us. We can't afford to be fighting amongst ourselves."

For a tense moment, no one moved. Then, to Enzo's relief, Marco backed down. "Whatever," he muttered. "Just don't fuck this up, Enzo. Some of us actually care about the family's future."

As Marco stalked off, Enzo let out a shaky breath. "Well, that was fun," he said, aiming for levity but falling short.

Matteo's hand came to rest on Enzo's shoulder, squeezing gently. "You handled that well," he said. "But we should be careful. Marco's not the only one who might have a problem with your sudden involvement."

Enzo nodded, the weight of their situation settling back onto his shoulders. "Yeah, I know. Let's just focus on the plan for now. We can deal with family politics later."

As they made their way out of the compound, Enzo couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He glanced around, catching glimpses of curious and sometimes hostile faces peering out from windows and doorways.

"Matteo," he murmured, keeping his voice low. "I think we might have a problem."

Matteo nodded almost imperceptibly, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "I see it. Stay close to me."

They had just reached their SUV when a shot rang out, shattering the passenger side window. Matteo reacted instantly, shoving Enzo to the ground and covering him with his body.

"Shit," Enzo gasped, his heart pounding in his ears. "What the fuck?"

More shots followed, the sound of return fire from the compound's guards adding to the chaos. Matteo dragged Enzo behind the SUV, using it as cover.

"Are you hit?" Matteo demanded, his hands running over Enzo's body, checking for injuries.

Enzo shook his head, too stunned to speak. This was really happening. Someone was actually trying to kill him, right here on family grounds.

Matteo pulled out his gun, his expression grim. "Stay down," he ordered. "I'm going to try to get us to a more secure position."

But before Matteo could move, a sleek black car came screeching around the corner. The back door flew open, and a voice Enzo recognized shouted, "Get in! Now!"

Matteo hesitated for a split second, then made a decision. "Go," he said, pushing Enzo towards the car. "I'll cover you."

Enzo scrambled into the backseat, Matteo diving in after him. The door had barely closed before the car was peeling away, tires squealing on the pavement.

As the adrenaline began to fade, Enzo realized who their savior was. "Uncle Tony?" he said, disbelief coloring his voice.

Tony Ricci, Don Ricci's younger brother and Enzo's favorite uncle, turned in the passenger seat to face them. His usually jovial face was set in grim lines. "You boys okay?" he asked, eyes scanning them for injuries.

"We're fine," Matteo answered, his arm still wrapped protectively around Enzo. "What the hell was that?"

Tony's expression darkened. "Looks like someone decided to make a move. Right under our noses, too. This is bad, real bad."

Enzo's mind raced, trying to process what had just happened. "But who? And why now?"

"That's what we need to figure out," Tony said. "For now, we're heading to a safe house. One that only I know about. We can't trust anyone else right now."

The gravity of the situation hit Enzo like a punch to the gut. His own family, his own home, wasn't safe anymore. He leaned into Matteo's solid warmth, seeking comfort.

Matteo's arm tightened around him. "It's okay, baby," he murmured, low enough that only Enzo could hear. "I've got you."

The drive to the safe house was tense, everyone on high alert for any signs of pursuit. When they finally arrived at a nondescript suburban house, Enzo felt some of the tension leave his body.

Once inside, Tony immediately went to secure the perimeter while Matteo did a thorough sweep of the house. Enzo stood in the living room, feeling useless and shaken.

When Matteo returned, he immediately pulled Enzo into his arms. "You're okay," he murmured, pressing a kiss to Enzo's temple. "We're safe now."

Enzo melted into the embrace, the events of the day finally catching up to him. He felt tears prick at his eyes and buried his face in Matteo's chest, not wanting anyone to see him cry.

"Shh, it's alright," Matteo soothed, rubbing Enzo's back. "Let it out, baby. I've got you."

Tony cleared his throat awkwardly from the doorway. "So, uh, I take it you two are...?"

Enzo tensed, suddenly remembering they weren't alone. He pulled back slightly, looking up at Matteo with uncertainty. They hadn't discussed how to handle their relationship in front of others.

Matteo's jaw set in a determined line. "Yes," he said firmly, meeting Tony's gaze. "We're together. Is that going to be a problem?"

Tony held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Hey, no judgment here. Love is love, and God knows we could use more of it in this family. I'm just surprised, is all."

Enzo felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Thanks, Uncle Tony," he said softly.

Tony's expression softened. "Don't mention it, kid. Now, let's figure out what the hell is going on and who's trying to take you out."

They gathered around the kitchen table, Tony producing a bottle of whiskey and three glasses. As he poured, Enzo couldn't help but notice the way Matteo positioned himself, always keeping Enzo within arm's reach.

"Alright," Tony said, taking a swig of his drink. "Let's start from the beginning. What exactly did you two uncover that's got everyone so riled up?"

Enzo and Matteo took turns explaining their investigation, the pattern they'd discovered, and their theory about the docks being the next target. Tony listened intently, his frown deepening as they spoke.

"Christ," he muttered when they finished. "No wonder someone's gunning for you. This coalition, if you're right about it, could upset the whole balance of power in the city."

"But who would benefit from that?" Enzo asked. "And why target me specifically?"

Tony's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Could be someone wants to send a message to your father. Or..." he trailed off, looking uncomfortable.

"Or what?" Matteo pressed.

Tony sighed heavily. "Or someone in the family doesn't want this information getting out. Someone who might be working with this coalition."

The implication hung heavy in the air. Enzo felt sick at the thought that one of his own relatives might have ordered the hit on him.

"We need to be careful who we trust," Matteo said, his voice grim. "Until we know for sure who's behind this, we can't risk bringing anyone else in."

Tony nodded in agreement. "I've got some contacts I can reach out to discreetly. See if I can dig up any chatter about who might be gunning for Enzo."

As they continued to strategize, Enzo found himself growing increasingly exhausted. The adrenaline crash, combined with the emotional toll of the day, was hitting him hard.

Matteo, ever attentive, noticed immediately. "You need rest," he said softly, his hand coming to rest on the back of Enzo's neck. "We can pick this up in the morning."

Tony nodded, standing up. "Good idea. There's a bedroom upstairs you two can use. I'll take first watch."

As they made their way upstairs, Enzo leaned heavily on Matteo. Once in the bedroom, Matteo helped him undress, his touches gentle and caring.

"Come here, baby," Matteo murmured, pulling Enzo into bed with him. He gathered Enzo close, enveloping him in warmth and safety.

Enzo burrowed into Matteo's chest, finally allowing himself to truly break down. Sobs wracked his body as the full weight of the day's events hit him.

"That's it," Matteo soothed, stroking Enzo's hair. "Let it all out. I've got you, baby. You're safe now."

As Enzo's tears subsided, he looked up at Matteo with red-rimmed eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to fall apart like that."

Matteo's expression was tender as he wiped away Enzo's tears with his thumb. "Never apologize for showing your emotions with me, baby. You've been so strong today. It's okay to let go now."

Enzo felt a surge of love for this man who could be so fierce and protective one moment, and so gentle the next. "Thank you," he murmured. "For everything. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," Matteo promised, his voice low and intense. "I'm not going anywhere, Enzo. No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side."

The conviction in Matteo's words made Enzo's heart swell. He tilted his chin up, silently asking for a kiss. Matteo obliged, pressing his lips to Enzo's in a tender, reassuring kiss.

As they settled in to sleep, Enzo felt a strange mix of emotions. Fear and uncertainty about what the future held, yes. But also a deep sense of security and belonging. Here, in Matteo's arms, he felt truly safe for the first time in his life.

Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever dangers they might face, Enzo knew one thing for certain: Together, he and Matteo could weather any storm.

As sleep finally claimed him, Enzo's last coherent thought was a silent prayer of thanks for the man holding him. His protector, his lover, his rock in the chaos that had become their lives.

In the quiet of the night, as Matteo kept vigilant watch over his sleeping charge, he made a silent vow. He would do whatever it took to keep Enzo safe, to unravel this conspiracy and eliminate the threat. And God help anyone who tried to come between them.

The game had changed, the stakes higher than ever before. But Matteo Salvatore was nothing if not adaptable. He'd faced down death more times than he could count, had clawed his way up from nothing to become the Ricci family's most trusted enforcer.

Now, with Enzo by his side, he had something truly worth fighting for. And fight he would, with every ounce of skill and ruthlessness at his disposal.

Let them come, Matteo thought grimly, his arms tightening protectively around Enzo's sleeping form. They would learn the hard way what happened to those who threatened what was his.

As dawn broke on a new day, full of uncertainty and danger, one thing was clear: The Enforcer and his Brat were a force to be reckoned with. And they were just getting started.