Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
I wrapped my hands around the mug and carried it upstairs, sipping until my lids grew heavy and each breath came in slower and deeper.
Morning came too soon, blurred by the routine of breakfast, spelling lessons, and reading time. Mattie was all focus and enthusiasm, asking questions faster than I could answer them. Morning flew, and by lunchtime, the sound of engines rolled up the long drive, pulling my attention toward the windows.
My first instinct was panic at the long row of cars, but Enzo emerged, and his calm was contagious. He strolled through the kitchen and the living room, all relaxed swagger with a hint of a smile.
“Papa,” Mattie called out, his voice a question.
“Come on,” he said quietly without breaking stride.
“Let’s go,” Mattie whispered, jumping from the chair and following his father to the front door.
I followed at a slower pace, stopping a few feet behind them when I spotted the larger-than-life men stepping from the SUVs, but then I saw a familiar figure. He was tall and lean with broad shoulders and confidence that wafted from him in waves.
Luca.
He was Enzo’s oldest friend. I met him a few times back when we were together. He was nice and charming with that bad-boy edge that made all the college girls lose their minds over him. He looked almost exactly the same as he had in college with the same sharp grin and the same confident stride. He was the same, but he was more polished now. Almost refined. Time had been kind to him.
I stood back and watched as the old friends, or I guess colleagues, greeted each other warmly. They hugged like brothers, thumping backs like they hadn’t seen each other in years.
He spotted me just inside the door and smiled wide. “Lookin’ good, Serenity.” His gaze raked over me, taking in the years.
I laughed despite myself. “You too, Luca.”
“Aged like fine wine, right?” He smoothed his lapels and wiggled his brows.
“Not bad.” I accepted his hug, which was oddly comforting. It was familiar and strange all at once, which brought up a whole host of other feelings I shoved down deep with both hands.
Mattie bounced up and down beside us. “Uncle Luca, you forgot about me!”
Luca turned with a shocked expression and dropped down so he and Mattie were eye-to-eye. “Forget? I could never forget you, kiddo. You getting into trouble around here yet?”
“Not today,” Mattie said as if he’d committed some great sin.
“Well, the day is still young, right?” He ruffled Mattie’s hair, making him laugh. “You’re a boy, get in a little bit of trouble to keep Serenity on her toes, yeah?”
Mattie nodded, his smile bright under Luca’s attention. “Yeah!”
After the greetings were over, it was back to business. Luca introduced the six-man security team. “They’ll be working in twelve-hour shifts, covering the entire property along with a dedicated member in the security room. If you see anything out of the ordinary,” he said to me, “tell them immediately.”
I nodded, wondering how Enzo knew he could trust these men so completely. Then I reminded myself that he’d been living this life for decades and likely had a sixth sense about these things. He understood danger and literally trusting someone else with your life in ways I simply didn’t.
Eventually, Enzo and Luca disappeared into the study. They spoke in low tones that barely vibrated through the door, and I shook off the sense of unease that wrapped around me like a cloak and turned my attention back to the only man I cared about.
Mattie.
“Ready to head outside for our next lesson?”
“Yes!” Mattie jumped up and down. “Can we count clouds? That’s like math, right?”
“It is,” I agreed. “But, no. Reading and story time,” I supplied because he needed to get used to speaking in public and he loved to read, so this was the perfect introduction to public speaking.
“Aw, man, do we have to?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. “Because snack time and exercise don’t come until after reading and story time.”
His shoulders sagged. “Okay.”
“Thank you, Mattie.” I handed him the book, reading my own copy while he did. I occasionally glanced back at the house, at the giant man stationed discreetly at the perimeter of the property. That quiet vigilance was both comforting and unsettling in its thoroughness.
Luca’s arrival was the perfect reminder that the danger wasn’t gone.
It was just waiting.
And I was standing right in the middle of it.
Chapter 10
Enzo
Ren’s question wouldn’t leave me alone. It followed me through the house at all hours. It was there while I sat through meetings and endured security briefings. It lingered in the back of my mind as I went through the books. In the quiet moments when the property felt almost peaceful. Her words didn’t come from fear or judgment or accusation.
And how does threatening a child accomplish that?