Page 4 of The Enforcer's Brat

"A friend?" Don Ricci's voice dripped with disdain. "The daughter of our greatest enemy is not your friend, Enzo. She is a liability. A weakness our enemies can exploit."

Enzo bristled at that. "She's a person, Dad. Not some pawn in your gangster chess game."

The stranger made a sound—almost a laugh, quickly stifled. Enzo's eyes darted to him, catching a glimpse of something like approval in those storm-gray depths.

Don Ricci slammed his hand on the desk, the sharp crack making Enzo jump. "Enough! Your recklessness has put this family in danger. Do you have any idea what could have happened if Franco Bianchi had decided to retaliate?"

Enzo opened his mouth to argue, but his father cut him off with a raised hand. "I'm not finished. This isn't the first time your... proclivities have caused problems. But it will be the last."

A chill ran down Enzo's spine. He'd heard that tone before—it never ended well for the person on the receiving end.

"What do you mean?" he asked, hating how small his voice sounded.

Don Ricci leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "It's time you learned some responsibility. Some discipline. That's why I've hired Mr. Salvatore here."

The stranger—Salvatore—stepped forward, his presence filling the room. Enzo's breath caught in his throat.

"Matteo Salvatore will be your new bodyguard," Don Ricci continued. "He'll be with you 24/7, keeping you out of trouble and teaching you what it means to be a Ricci."

Enzo's mind reeled. A bodyguard? He was 23, for Christ's sake, not some child who needed a babysitter. And yet... the thought of spending all his time with this Matteo Salvatore sent a thrill through him that had nothing to do with anger.

"This is bullshit," Enzo spat, falling back on bravado to mask his conflicting emotions. "I don't need a fucking babysitter."

"Watch your mouth," Don Ricci snapped. "This isn't up for discussion. You'll do as you're told, or I'll cut you off. No more trust fund, no more penthouse. You'll be on your own."

The threat hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Enzo knew his father meant every word. For all his rebelliousness, he'd never had to truly fend for himself. The thought was terrifying.

"Fine," he ground out, fists clenched at his sides. "But don't expect me to make it easy."

Don Ricci's smile was cold. "I'd be disappointed if you did. Matteo, he's all yours. Try not to break him too quickly."

Salvatore nodded, his face impassive. "Yes, sir."

As Enzo stood to leave, his father's voice stopped him. "Oh, and Enzo? Ms. Bianchi will be escorted back to her family today. I trust you understand why you won't be seeing her again."

Guilt and worry churned in Enzo's gut. He'd promised to help Giulia, to keep her safe. But there was nothing he could do now, not without risking open war between their families.

"Yes, sir," he muttered, hating himself for the defeat in his voice.

He stalked out of the office, Matteo a silent shadow behind him. It wasn't until they reached the elevator that Enzo rounded on him.

"Listen up, Salvatore," he snarled, jabbing a finger at the taller man's chest. "I don't know what my father's paying you, but I'm not some helpless kid who needs protecting. Stay out of my way, and we'll get along just fine."

Matteo raised an eyebrow, looking distinctly unimpressed. "Are you finished?"

The calm question took the wind out of Enzo's sails. He'd expected anger, maybe even a threat. Not this cool indifference.

"Yeah," Enzo muttered, suddenly feeling very young and very foolish. "I guess I am."

Matteo nodded, his expression softening almost imperceptibly. "Good. Now, why don't you tell me about this girl you're so worried about?"

Enzo blinked, thrown by the unexpected question. "What?"

"Giulia Bianchi," Matteo clarified as they stepped into the elevator. "You clearly care about her welfare. What's her situation?"

For a moment, Enzo considered telling Matteo to mind his own business. But something in the older man's eyes—concern, maybe, or simple curiosity—made him reconsider.

As the elevator descended, Enzo found himself spilling the whole story. Giulia's fear of her brother, her plea for help, his promise to find her a safe place to stay.

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