Page 17 of Enzo

Kayleigh looks at me, like a deer caught in the headlights. Then she clears her throat and peers up at Frank. “No, I can’t imagine how you would,” she says.

“This is Kayleigh, my wife,” I say.No idea why I’ve just claimed her like that.

“Wife? I didn’t know. Congratulations.” Frank nods before walking off.

Shit. I’ve fucked up.

I knew it as soon as the words were out of my mouth. Kayleigh, though? She appears as though she’s seen a ghost. “What’s wrong?” I ask her.

She can’t know what I’ve just done. She can’t know what it means for both of us.

“I, um… I need to go,” she says, pushing up from the table.

Without thinking, I flick my eyes in Frank’s direction. He’s sitting at a table, staring directly at Kayleigh. I don’t like the way he’s looking at her. Like he’s trying to unravel some sort of puzzle.

“Let’s go. I think I’d prefer ramen anyway.” I stand while trying to make light of the situation.

Once I have her in the car, Kayleigh turns to look out the window. Back towards the restaurant. “Thank you. I’m really sorry. I just don’t feel well all of a sudden,” she says. “Can you drop me off at my dorm?”

“Sure,” I tell her, even though I have no intention of doing that. Something I’m certain she’ll figure out real quick.

“Why did you say I was your wife?” Kayleigh asks as I pull out into traffic.

“I don’t know. I didn’t like the way he was looking at you, and in my world, wives are untouchable,” I tell her.

“No, they’re not.” Her words are barely a whisper, but I hear them.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.” She looks away from me and sinks down into her seat.

What the fuck was I thinking, taking this girl to a place like that? And why the hell does Frank Esposito seem so damn interested in her?

Who are you, piccolo ladro?

Chapter Twelve

I’ve had many fantasies about what I’d do if I ever came face-to-face with my father’s killer. None of them included me freezing while pure panic and fear coursed through my veins.

He can’t know who I am. I was just a child when he saw me. I’ve changed. I’m not the helpless little girl I was back then. I was supposed to be notified if he was ever released.

Why wasn’t I notified?

Mom… I have to call her and let her know. Men like Frank Esposito don’t leave loose ends. Especially loose ends like me and my mom. The fact that he hasn’t already sent men after us is a miracle. Or he has and they just weren’t able to find us.

What if he did recognize me? I can’t run again. I can’t just pick a new name and start a new life. I won’t. I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am. I refuse to let it all go. But if I stay here, it’s only a matter of time before he figures out who I am and why he recognizes me.

As much as I like to think I can protect myself, that the bureau would be able to help keep me alive, I’ve seen them fail far too many colleagues to believe that. The thought of dying doesn’t scare me. The thought of dying at the hands of that monster angers me. But there’s also this little voice in my head that’s telling me to say to hell with all of it. If my time really is about to come to an end, why am I denying myself something I want?

Someone I want.

I turn to look at Enzo. My mind might despise this man but my body sure as hell doesn’t. “Don’t take me to the dorms. Take me to your place,” I tell him.

“Are you sure?” He side-glances me with a single eyebrow raised in question.

“Only if you want to. Don’t do me any favors, Enzo.” I’ve seen the way he looks at me. I know he wants me too. At least, I think he does.

“Oh, I want to. The things I want to do to your body should be illegal.” He smirks.

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