Page 17 of The Enforcer's Brat

"What do you want?" Enzo asked, hating how petulant he sounded.

Matteo took a step closer. "I want you to understand something. This life... it's not easy. It's not pretty. But it's ours. And running from it won't change that."

Enzo swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of Matteo's proximity. "So what, I'm just supposed to accept it? Become the perfect little mafia prince?"

"No," Matteo said, his voice low and intense. "You're supposed to make it your own. To take what your father built and make it better. To use your power to do some good in this fucked up world."

The passion in Matteo's words, the fire in his eyes – it was mesmerizing. Enzo found himself moving closer, drawn in like a moth to a flame.

"And you'll be there?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "To show me how?"

Matteo's eyes darkened, his gaze dropping to Enzo's lips. "I'll be there," he murmured. "For as long as you need me."

The air between them crackled with tension, thick with unspoken desire and forbidden possibilities. Enzo swayed forward, his body moving of its own accord.

For a moment, it seemed like Matteo might close the distance between them, might finally give in to the hunger that had been simmering between them for weeks.

But then Matteo stepped back, the spell broken. "Get some rest," he said, his voice rough. "We've got an early start tomorrow."

As Matteo retreated into the house, Enzo was left standing alone in the moonlit yard, his heart racing and his body thrumming with frustrated desire.

Whatever game they were playing, whatever this thing was between them, it was reaching a boiling point. And Enzo had a feeling that when it finally exploded, the fallout would be spectacular.

With a sigh, he headed back inside. Tomorrow was another day, another chance to push Matteo's buttons and test the limits of his control.

And Enzo was nothing if not persistent. One way or another, he'd break through Matteo's defenses. He just hoped he'd be ready for what he found on the other side.

CHAPTER 7

BREAKING POINT

The tension in the safe house had reached a fever pitch. Days of close quarters, heated glances, and near-misses had left both Enzo and Matteo on edge. Every interaction felt charged, laden with unspoken desire and simmering frustration.

Enzo paced the length of his bedroom, restless energy thrumming through his veins. He'd spent the past week pushing every one of Matteo's buttons, testing the limits of the older man's control. And while he'd seen cracks in Matteo's stoic facade, the enforcer had yet to truly break.

It was maddening. Exhilarating. Utterly intoxicating.

A knock at the door jolted Enzo from his thoughts. "Yeah?" he called, trying to keep his voice casual.

Matteo's deep baritone came through the wood, sending an involuntary shiver down Enzo's spine. "Training in ten minutes. Don't be late."

Enzo rolled his eyes, even as a thrill of anticipation coursed through him. "Yes, sir," he drawled, injecting as much sarcasm as he could muster into the words.

He heard Matteo's low growl, followed by retreating footsteps. Enzo grinned to himself. Another chink in the armor.

As he changed into workout clothes – the tiniest shorts he owned and a tank top that left little to the imagination – Enzo considered his next move. He'd tried everything short of throwing himself naked at Matteo. Maybe it was time to up the ante.

When Enzo sauntered into the backyard, he found Matteo setting up a makeshift obstacle course. The older man's back was to him, giving Enzo a perfect view of the way Matteo's muscles shifted beneath his tight t-shirt.

"What's all this?" Enzo asked, deliberately pitching his voice low and sultry.

Matteo turned, his eyes widening almost imperceptibly as they raked over Enzo's form. "Agility training," he said gruffly, clearing his throat. "You need to be able to maneuver in tight spaces, evade pursuers."

Enzo smirked, sauntering closer. "Oh, I'm very good at maneuvering in tight spaces," he purred, watching with satisfaction as Matteo's jaw clenched.

"Enough," Matteo growled, his voice rough. "Five laps to warm up. Now."

Enzo considered arguing, but the dangerous glint in Matteo's eye made him think better of it. He set off at a steady jog, making sure to put an extra sway in his hips as he passed Matteo.

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