Page 60 of Sexting the Don

Once inside, I head straight to my study, needing to plan my next steps.

I sit down at my desk, pulling out a notebook and pen. I need to strategize, to think several steps ahead. Jimmy is cunning, and if he’s involved, this won’t be a simple confrontation.

My thoughts are interrupted by a call from Sean. “Boss, the men are in place. They’ll keep watch until morning and make sure Mandy gets the car.”

“Good. Tell them to stay sharp. If they see anything suspicious, I want to know immediately,” I instruct him.

“Will do. And boss, are you sure about not having them follow her? Just in case?”

I pause, considering it again. “Yes. Mandy needs to feel like she has some control. We’ll keep it to just the car for now.”

“All right. I’ll keep you updated,” Sean says before hanging up.

I can’t shake the feeling that Jimmy’s move will be imminent, and I need to be ready. As I stare at the ceiling, I think about Mandy’s safety and how far I’m willing to go to protect her.

The night stretches on, and I finally force myself to get some rest. Tomorrow is another day, and I need to be prepared for whatever comes next.

Once in bed I close my eyes, determined to stay one step ahead of Jimmy, no matter the cost.

Chapter 27

Mandy

The next morning, I'm leaning against the cool exterior of our apartment building when the rumble of an engine turns my head.

Rolling into the lot comes a sleek, forest-green Land Cruiser, the same one Enzo had loaned to Mom a few days before. Two guys hop out. They’ve got that tough, no-nonsense vibe, dressed in impeccable suits and dark sunglasses.

The taller one strides over with a business-like air, handing me the keys.

"Car’s been cleaned up and checked for bugs, the full service. It’s safe," he assures me with a nod that's all professional.

Mom throws them a warm smile. "Need a lift back?" she offers.

"No, thank you, ma'am. We're set," replies the other, polite but brief, and just like that, they turn and head off, melding into the cityscape as smoothly as they arrived.

Keys in hand, I motion for Mom to follow me to the car. We’ve both got jobs to get to, and I’m dropping her off before I hit thegym with Natalie.

Mom starts in, her voice dripping with admiration. "Enzo’s really on top of things, huh? So considerate."

I pull into the morning traffic, half-thinking about Enzo's no-detail-spared approach.

"I guess he’s pretty thorough, isn’t he?" I chuckle, shifting gears. Mom’s got that look in her eye, the one that’s gearing up for more than just small talk.

“You know, sweetie, a guy who goes to this length ... he obviously likes you. Think this might go somewhere serious?” she probes, a playful nudge to her tone.

"I don’t know. Enzo’s full of surprises," I reply, the possibility hanging in the air.But I keep it cool.

The truth is, inside, I'm a swirl of emotions. There's a lot more tying me to Enzo, more than I'm ready to share just yet.

Internally I admit my feelings for Enzo aren't just casual. They're intense, complicated, and, yeah, pretty serious. But there’s another layer to all this, a secret that adds weight to every moment we spend together—I’m pregnant with his child.

It’s a reality I’m still grappling with, a truth that feels both terrifying and incredible.

Not to mention the fact that he plans to use my mother and me as bait to lure my piece-of-shit father out into the open, it’s beyond complicated.

For now, it’s all my secret to keep. As I drop Mom off at her restaurant and watch her head inside, the late morning sun catches on the horizon, casting long shadows and bathing thecity in a soft, golden light. I'm left alone with my thoughts, the hum of the engine a steady backdrop to the racing of my mind.

I pull up to Natalie’s house and let myself in. As soon as I step through the door, the hum of a blender slicing through the air greets me.

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