Page 119 of Wicked Rivals

“He likes Mama a lot. But she doesn’t like him back. She’s nice when she sees him, but I can tell how hard she’s trying. And I don’t like him either.”

“Why not?” I asked.

He wrinkled his nose as he thought about it, his lip curling in disgust even if he couldn’t quite put words to the feeling yet.

“I don't know. He’s just not like my other teachers. If you talk in class, he gets really mad, really fast. One time he screamed at a girl until she cried because she laughed at something.”

I nodded.

“This is good. Can you tell me anything else about this man? Where he lives? Anything at all?”

Enzo shook his head. Unshed tears welled in his eyes.

“His name is Donnie Luka. I heard him tell Mama to call him Donnie. But I… I don’t know anything else.”

I maintained our connection for a minute, longer than necessary, not willing to break eye contact with my son or lose the feeling it gave me to have my hands on his shoulders.

A choice no longer existed. No more fucking deliberating.

I had to act now.

Benedict Capaldo refused to announce that his daughter and I were no longer engaged. So I would make my position clear to him, to the Commission, and to the other families…

Stefano Vignali did not bend the knee to anyone.

I would never let my son see that happen.

What I planned to do next came from instinct, from my gut, and from my heart. I would announce my engagement to Val. Another layer of protection to help me keep her and Enzo safe. She would be furious with me for it, but eventually she would see reason.

Being the object of her fury again would be a small price to pay for securing their protection.

Bellissima diavola.

It had to be done.

I had to take this first step in the legitimization of our child.

Although not the best time for it, I smiled at my son, Enzo Vignali, and kissed his cheeks.

“You gave me a name, son. That’s all I need to get her back.”

He held my gaze with unwavering determination.

“Good. You're taking me with you,” he said.

“Tony,” I called out, still unable to look away from the boy. “Get Bruce in here now.”

Tony’s jacket rustled as he hurried out of my office.

“I can't take you with me, Enzo. It's too dangerous.”

He brought his arms up through mine and shoved my hands off his shoulders.

“It's too dangerous not to take me. You don't know my school or where the classrooms are or which one’s his. I do. And it’s a big building. You’ll just waste time if you get lost in there, so you need someone who knows where they’re going. So yes, you’re taking me with you.”

The way he arched an eyebrow in defiance after his little speech might have made me laugh in any other circumstance.

“If I put you in any more danger, your mother will never forgive me,” I said.

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