Page 5 of The Enforcer's Brat

Matteo listened silently, his face giving nothing away. When Enzo finished, he was quiet for a long moment.

"You did the right thing," he said finally, surprising Enzo. "Helping her. It was reckless and could have backfired spectacularly, but it was the right thing to do."

Enzo felt a warmth bloom in his chest at the unexpected praise. "Yeah, well, fat lot of good it did. She's probably back with her psycho brother by now."

The elevator doors opened, and Matteo gestured for Enzo to exit first. "Perhaps. Or perhaps not. Your father said she'd be escorted back to her family. He didn't specify which family member."

Enzo's eyes widened as he caught Matteo's meaning. "You think...?"

Matteo shrugged, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips. "I think Don Ricci is many things, but he's not cruel. If the girl was truly in danger, he'll have made sure she's safe. Even if it means keeping her away from you."

The knot of worry in Enzo's chest loosened slightly. He wanted to believe Matteo was right, that his father wasn't the complete bastard Enzo often thought him to be.

As they exited the building, Enzo squinted against the bright sunlight. "So what now? You gonna follow me around like a shadow, making sure I don't jaywalker or drink milk straight from the carton?"

Matteo's lips twitched, almost a smile. "Something like that. Though I'm more concerned with keeping you alive than policing your dairy habits."

He gestured to a sleek black SUV parked at the curb. "Your father wants you moved to a more secure location. We'll stop by your penthouse to pick up some essentials, then head to the new place."

Enzo's hackles rose. "What? No way. I'm not leaving my home just because my old man's paranoid."

Matteo's expression hardened, all traces of humor vanishing. "This isn't a request, Enzo. There have been threats against your family. Until we know more, you need to be somewhere we can better control access."

The use of his first name shouldn't have affected Enzo as much as it did. He tried to focus on his anger, on the injustice of it all, but found himself distracted by the way Matteo's mouth formed the syllables of his name.

"Fine," he grumbled, climbing into the SUV. "But I'm not happy about this."

"Noted," Matteo said dryly, sliding into the driver's seat.

The ride to Enzo's penthouse was tense, filled with a crackling energy that had Enzo's skin prickling. He kept sneaking glances at Matteo, admiring the strong line of his jaw, the capable hands gripping the steering wheel. It was infuriating how attractive he found this man who was essentially his jailer.

When they arrived, Enzo half-expected Matteo to follow him up. Instead, the older man simply said, "You have thirty minutes. Pack what you need for a few weeks. I'll be waiting here."

Enzo nodded, oddly disappointed. As he rode the elevator up, he tried to shake off the confusing mix of emotions swirling in his chest. He needed to focus on the problem at hand – namely, how to regain his freedom and get out from under Matteo's watchful eye.

The penthouse felt different somehow, colder. Enzo moved through the rooms quickly, shoving clothes and essentials into a duffel bag. As he passed the guest room, he paused. Giulia's presence lingered here, a reminder of his failed attempt at heroics.

With a sigh, Enzo pulled out his phone and dialed Luca's number. His friend picked up on the second ring.

"Zo! Where the hell have you been? I've been worried sick!"

"Sorry, man," Enzo said, genuine regret in his voice. "It's been a crazy morning. Listen, I need a favor."

He quickly filled Luca in on the situation with Giulia, asking him to reach out through his connections to make sure she was okay. Luca, bless him, didn't ask too many questions.

"I've got you, bro," Luca assured him. "I'll find out what I can. But Enzo... be careful, okay? This Bianchi business is playing with fire."

"I know," Enzo sighed. "Trust me, I'm paying for it already. I've got a new babysitter and everything."

"A babysitter?" Luca's voice was equal parts amused and concerned. "Your old man finally snap?"

Enzo laughed, but it was a hollow sound. "Something like that. I gotta go, but I'll call you when I can. Thanks, Luca. I owe you one."

"You owe me several, but who's counting? Take care, Zo."

As Enzo ended the call, he caught sight of himself in the mirror. He looked tired, the events of the past 24 hours etched in the shadows under his eyes. But there was something else there too – a spark of defiance, of determination.

He might be stuck with Matteo Salvatore for now, but that didn't mean he had to make it easy on the man. A slow grin spread across Enzo's face as an idea began to form. If Matteo wanted to play babysitter, Enzo would give him a brat worthy of the name.

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