Page 23 of Elusive Enforcer

I deflate when I hear his accurate assessment of my life. “Yeah, that about sums it up,” I murmur as I stare down at Sprinkles and stroke his fur.

Lorenzo doesn't press the issue, instead sitting with me in silence and waiting for me to continue when I'm ready.

“My dad,” I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper. “He was a journalist. He had been working on a story that would have rocked the city, exposing the Chief of the Las Vegas PD as a fraud who stole money from the pensions of his employees. My father was finishing up the last of the edits on his article at the table while I put the dishes from dinner in the sink. I’ll never forget that night.”

I pause, not sure if I can continue. I’ve never told anyone the whole story before.

“I’m right here,” Lorenzo murmurs. “I’m listening.”

I nod and take a breath, knowing I need to get it all out in the open.

“One second it was a peaceful evening with an Etta James record playing in the background while my father typed away at his keyboard, and the next second, our door was kicked in. A dozen police officers burst into the house, and my father barely had time to tell me to run before the men were on him. I ducked behind the kitchen cabinets but I still saw the whole horrid scene. They… they beat him up so badly I thought he was dying,then they dragged him out of the house with handcuffs on. That was the last time I ever saw my dad.”

“Florence,” Lorenzo whispers. “God, I’m so sorry you witnessed that. How old were you?”

“Eight,” I reply, shaking from the emotions trying to break free. “I went into foster care two days later when one of the neighbors came by to check on me. I saw in the news that the cops pinned several drug trafficking crimes on my dad, and he was sent to prison for life. He was only there for five years when…” My voice cracks and Lorenzo squeezes my leg before resting his hand over mine. “He was stabbed in some big brawl that happened in his cell block. I didn’t even know he died until weeks later when my foster mom announced that my no-good, drug-running father got what was coming to him.”

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters. “I can’t imagine going through that at such a young age. You’re so resilient, Florence. So strong and determined, with a sense of justice that rivals anyone I’ve ever met. You’re incredible, and I understand why this is so important to you.”

“So we can send the file to the newspaper?” I ask, peering over at Lorenzo.

He takes a deep breath, trying to figure out what to tell me. “We can talk to the Boss about the best way to move forward,” he finally settles on. “He might skirt the law, but he has a moral compass. The documents are important leverage for the family, but maybe there’s a way for everyone to get what they want.”

Before I get a chance to protest, we turn down a long driveway with a stone wall around it like a castle. The gate has a fingerprint scanner to open, and Lorenzo rolls down his window, placing his thumb over the lock pad. Just like that, the doors open to a vast property containing a giant mansion as well as several other buildings and houses.

“You can stay here while I go meet with Aurelio.”

“Uh, no way, mister. If I’m going to hand over this file, I need to know who I’m getting into business with. I’m meeting the big bad Boss whether you like it or not.”

I’m not sure what I was expecting Lorenzo to say, but when he tugs at my hand, I’m forced to look over at him. Admiration is shining in his deep brown eyes and he blurts out, “I love you so goddamn much.” My eyes widen a second before he pulls me in for a kiss. “Now let’s go meet the Boss.”

11

LORENZO

Iopen the front door of Aurelio’s mansion, which also serves as the headquarters for the Caparelli family. My woman is standing right next to me, her head held high even though the rest of her is trembling.

“I’m right here with you,” I say softly as we make our way inside.

“What about Sprinkles?” Florence asks.

“I’m here for Sprinkles, too,” I reluctantly admit.

My woman smiles and bumps her shoulder against mine. Well, more like she bumps her shoulder against my arm since she’s so much shorter, but it’s adorable all the same.

“I’m happy to know you two are getting along, but I mean what should we do with him while we’re… you know, talking to a freaking mob boss?”

I nod in understanding, then take the cloth carrier and set it on one of the couches in the front sitting room. I send a text to Maria, an animal lover and one of the maids who will be thrilled to take care of a cat instead of vacuuming the staircase.

“He’ll be in good hands,” I assure Florence. “In fact, he might get used to a life of luxury and we’ll have to buy him a mansion of his own,” I tease, hoping to lighten the mood.

“You’re already thinking about moving in together?”

“Aren’t you?” I ask.

“Are you sure you won’t get tired of me and Sprinkles? What if he pees on your expensive suits?”

“I have plenty to spare,” I answer easily.

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