Page 84 of Enzo DeLuca

Piccola Em? What did that mean?

“I brought you desserts.”

“Give them to Giorgio. I’ll eat them later.”

Eve leaned to the side to see Emelia’s reaction. If looks could kill, Eve would be six feet under. So would Enzo. His cousin was staring at him with hatred in her eyes. But as soon as he faced her, that look of hatred was replaced with a smile.

“Em, you didn’t have to come all the way out here,” Enzo told her.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t be eating well,” she replied sweetly.

“Maria is here. She cooks for me. You don’t have to send me anything. But, thanks. I appreciate it.” To Giorgio, Enzo said, “Take the bag into the kitchen.”

The guard nodded. Emelia seemed reluctant to release the bag.

“Since you’re home for lunch,” Emelia told him. “We can eat it now.”

This bitch!

Enzo started to say something else, but his phone rang.

“Yeah, Lino,” he said into the receiver. “He’s back in the country? About damn time. No. I’ll handle it.” Enzo ended the call. He faced Eve. She already knew what he was going to say. Enzo pressed a kiss against her forehead and then told her, “Sorry, love. I can’t stay for lunch. I need to take care of something. I’ll make it up to you tonight.”

“I understand. Be safe, don Enzo.”

“Always, il mio cuore.”

He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips before turning to leave. Emelia stood in his way.

“Who’s back in the country?” Emelia asked.

Enzo sighed. “Piccola Em...”

“Don’t Piccola Em me, Enzo. Tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s nothing. Shouldn’t you be with patients right now?”

“My next patient isn’t until two pm. I have time to talk.”

“But I don’t, love. I have to go. Giorgio, escort Em to her car. Em, I promise to spend some time with you soon. I promise.”

Emelia was steadily trying to talk to Enzo, but he was no longer listening. He left the house, leaving a frustrated Emelia behind. The woman cast another glance over her shoulder at Eve.

“You’re just a witness. You’re not family,” Emelia said. “He’s using you. When he’s done, he’ll discard you.”

“Not if I discard him first,” Eve told her to get a reaction out of her. She wouldn’t put her hands on Eve because she was Enzo’s cousin. But she could be petty and piss her off.

“Excuse me?” Emelia yelled as Giorgio escorted her from the house.

Eve couldn’t make out what else the woman was saying. But she was pretty sure she’d heard the word bitch. She’d let that one slide. So, this chick was piccola Em, thesweetlittle cousin. Eve rolled her eyes. Piccola Em had gotten a pass today. She wouldn’t get one again.

“Eve, my dear,” Maria called from the kitchen. “Your lunch is ready.”

At least Maria was nice to her. Eve turned and headed to the kitchen to eat some authentic Italian food. Those restaurants in the States had nothing on the real thing. Maria chatted with her as she ate, telling her interesting facts about Italy. But Eve’s mind kept drifting to Emelia. She didn’t know why. But she had a feeling that woman was going to be a problem for her.

And Enzo wouldn’t like how Eve handled her problems.

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