Page 43 of The Enforcer's Brat

Enzo leaned into Matteo's touch, drawing strength from his steady presence. "I need some time," he said. "To think, to figure out what I really want."

Matteo nodded, pressing a soft kiss to Enzo's forehead. "Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."

The next few days were a internal struggle for Enzo. He went through the motions of his duties within the family, attending meetings and overseeing operations, but his mind was constantly churning with indecision.

He found himself watching his father more closely, noting the toll that leadership took on him. The constant vigilance, the weight of responsibility for so many lives and livelihoods. Was that really the future Enzo wanted for himself?

But then he'd catch glimpses of the respect in people's eyes when they looked at him now, the way even hardened criminals deferred to his judgment. It was intoxicating, that sense of power and importance. Could he really walk away from that?

Through it all, Matteo was a constant, steady presence at his side. He never pushed, never tried to sway Enzo one way or the other. But Enzo could see the concern in his lover's eyes, the way Matteo watched him with a mixture of pride and worry.

It was on a rare quiet evening, as they sat together on the balcony of their quarters, that Enzo finally voiced the thoughts that had been consuming him.

"I don't know if I can do it," he said softly, staring out at the Chicago skyline. "Take over the family, I mean. I don't know if I'm cut out for it."

Matteo was quiet for a moment, considering his words carefully. "I think you could," he said finally. "You've got the instincts, the intelligence. You care about people, which is more than can be said for a lot of guys in this business."

Enzo turned to look at him, searching Matteo's face. "But do you think I should?"

Matteo sighed, reaching out to take Enzo's hand. "That's not for me to say, baby. This has to be your decision. But I will say this – the Enzo I fell in love with, the one who dreamed of a life beyond all this... I don't want to lose him. I don't want this world to harden you, to change who you are at your core."

Enzo felt tears prick at his eyes, overwhelmed by the love and understanding in Matteo's voice. He leaned in, capturing Matteo's lips in a deep, passionate kiss.

When they finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, Enzo felt a sense of clarity settling over him. "I think I know what I need to do," he said softly.

The next morning, Enzo requested a private meeting with his father. Don Ricci received him in his study, his face expectant.

"Have you made your decision?" he asked without preamble.

Enzo took a deep breath, steeling himself. "I have," he said, forcing his voice to remain steady. "And I'm grateful for the opportunity, truly. But I can't accept the position."

Don Ricci's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "May I ask why?"

Enzo met his father's gaze squarely. "Because it's not the life I want," he said simply. "I've learned a lot these past few weeks, about the business, about myself. And I've realized that I want something different. A life away from all this."

For a long moment, Don Ricci was silent, his face unreadable. Then, to Enzo's surprise, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"I had a feeling you might say that," he said, his voice tinged with something that might have been pride. "You've always been different, Enzo. Never quite fit the mold. I thought maybe this taste of power would change that, but... I'm glad it hasn't."

Enzo blinked, taken aback by his father's reaction. "You're... not angry?"

Don Ricci shook his head. "Disappointed, maybe. But not angry. You've proven yourself capable, shown that you could handle this life if you wanted it. The fact that you're choosing a different path... well, that takes its own kind of courage."

Relief washed over Enzo, followed quickly by a surge of emotion. For the first time in his life, he felt like his father truly saw him, understood him.

"Thank you," he said softly. "For understanding. And for everything you've taught me."

Don Ricci stood, moving around the desk to pull Enzo into a rare embrace. "You're my son," he said gruffly. "No matter what path you choose. Just... be careful out there, alright? This life, it has a way of following you."

Enzo nodded, blinking back tears. "I will be. And I'll always be there if the family needs me. Just... in a different capacity."

As Enzo left the study, he felt lighter than he had in weeks. The future stretched out before him, full of possibilities. He couldn't wait to share the news with Matteo.

He found his lover in their quarters, packing a bag. Matteo looked up as Enzo entered, a question in his eyes.

"It's done," Enzo said, a smile breaking across his face. "I told him no. We're free, Matteo. We can leave, start that new life we talked about."

The relief and joy that spread across Matteo's face was beautiful to behold. He crossed the room in two long strides, sweeping Enzo into his arms and kissing him deeply.

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