Page 32 of The Art of You

He drew me into his arms so our bodieswere flush, and rested his chin on my head. “That innocent hug you needed . . . well, I need it, too.”

Chapter 11

Isabella

“You shouldn’t even be here.”I held on to Enzo near the back door, burying my face in his chest. “Maria needs you.”

“Youneed me.” Enzo let go of me and patted my head like I was five. Most days, I think he still saw me that way. “As long as I feel it’s safe, I’ll head home tomorrow. I promise. But the second we have a target, I’ll be back to handle them with the team.”

I didn’t doubt that.

Enzo looked at Hudson, tipping his head. “Everyone’s in the kitchen. Adelina is there, too. We’ll join you in a second.”

That was Enzo’s way of telling Hudson to leave us alone, and Hudson quietly nodded and took his cue.

I’d expected Enzo to start with a lecture, not to kick things off with heartfelt words instead. “Why is being here so much harder than when we’re at Mom and Dad’s place on Long Island? Or the Central Park home?”

I pushed the sleeves of my jean jacket up my forearms and told him the only thing that made sense in my head. “Because it was Bianca’s favorite place. Lots of happy memories here.”

The frown came and went fast. “I think I’ve only been here twice since she died.”

I thought back to the hug I’d desperately needed in that garden, and how Hudson had managed to calm me down so I could think more clearly. “Maybe we should come here more often because it was her favorite place, and not avoid it for that very reason.”

He stepped closer, holding my arms while resting his forehead against mine. “The youngest of us is the wisest.”

“About time you realized that.”

“Well, it’s not true when I think about the men you choose to date, though. You lose all brain cells when?—”

I lifted my hand between us, silencing him with a finger over his lips. “You were on such a roll being sweet. Don’t ruin it.”

He let go of me as I lowered my hand to my side, and we glanced in the direction of the kitchen, both of us seemingly hesitant to get the show on the road.

“You should’ve told us about the photo before the op. Secrets get people killed, remember?”

Like in Bianca’s case.“I didn’t want to distract you from the mission.”

“Your safety will always be a priority. Got it?” He narrowed his eyes, waiting for the only answer he’d accept.

So, I gave it to him. “Roger that.” When he continued to regard me with a hesitant expression, I begged, “Stop worrying. I’m going to be fine when you leave. I have Hudson to protect me.”

He jerked his head back as if offended. “AndAlessandro. Constantine. Our parents.” He tossed a thumb toward the front door. “Not to mention an entire team of security guards.”

“Of course, I was just . . .”No clue howto finish that.

“Mmmhmm. I know what’s going on here.” At least he was smiling.

One of the main reasons why nothing may ever happen with Hudson joined us at the worst time. “And what exactly is going on?”

I faced Constantine, discreetly elbowing Enzo to keep quiet. It was never easy going up against my brothers. At three to one, they outnumbered me on everything, but at least Enzo appeared to be coming around to my side on this.

“Izzy was just telling me how eager she is to spend quality time with the family since you’ll all be under the same roof for the next few days. So many people here, though, she’s concerned that someone might accidentally wander into the wrong bedroom at night while she’s sleeping.”

The man deserved the daggers I shot along with the second elbow.

Enzo faked a wince, holding his side. “Kidding. Constantine would kill one of our guards if he accidentally slipped into your bed.”

Guards, huh? Sure, sure, that’s who you’re referring to.

---