Page 113 of His Enforcer

By the time we’re in the SUV on the way to the warehouse, Luca is feeding me bites of quiche with a fork, taking bites himself in between.

It’s disgustingly romantic, and I want to hate it, but I can’t.

The teenage boy in me can’t help but puff up that my long-time crush and obsession is acting like this toward me. He’s taking care of me in his own way. I never thought I stood a chance.

We finish both quiches, and he stuffs the paper bag in the back seat before grabbing his coffee and sipping it.

My hand is clutching the middle console, unsure what to do with itself when Luca tugs on it gently, turning it over and threading his fingers through mine.

I let out a shaky exhale and peer down at our entwined hands, something inside of me starting to bloom. It’s a dangerous game.

Or maybe it’s not a game at all, maybe it’s more.

That’s even more frightening.

We eventually make it to the warehouse that Raphael manages, our hands falling apart as we step out of the SUV and make our way up to the armed guards standing outside.

They recognize us immediately and step aside, pressing the code on the door to let us in.

As soon as we enter, we see Raphael striding toward us with apurpose. He’s a bigger man with a barrel chest and graying hair. He’s quite formidable and has been with Anthony for ages. He is as loyal as they come.

“Ah, he sent you two. I see Anthony is nearing retirement?” He pulls us into rough handshakes as he says this. “I never see him anymore.”

“He’s in love,” Luca says, tucking his hands into his pants pockets.

“I know what that’s like. I’ve been with Beth for decades. Wouldn’t change it for the world. Now come. I have the product.”

He turns around and we follow, my gaze moving around the packaging facility. Male and female workers stand in long lines, getting work done as efficiently as possible. I recognize some of them, but there are new faces here too, the others having been killed in the attack months ago. All that damage, all that blood. It’s amazing how quickly Raphael managed to get everything back in working order after that. It’s almost as if nothing happened.

“Anthony told me about the new product on the streets,” he says as he opens his office door and leads us inside. “It’s causing trouble for you?”

“I don’t think it’s affecting the drug side of things, but they do have a terrible habit of dumping dead bodies in our places of business.”

“Are they trying to implicate you in murder?”

“I have no fucking idea why they’re doing it or who’s behind it, but we have a hunch. Remember Henry?” Luca asks.

“That young shit with the earring? Always did have a big mouth and a bad attitude.”

Raphael grabs a brick of cocaine, and I watch as Luca pulls out a knife from his pocket and cuts the end delicately. White powder spills from it, and I see Luca wet his lips in anticipation.

“He was also involved in getting Tatum hurt. Contributed to it, at least. Anthony’s out for blood now. You’ll let us know if you see him?”

“Will do, Boss. Will do.”

Luca puts the knife up to his nose and sniffs the white powder from the tip before taking a bit more and rubbing it across his gums.

He closes his eyes as Raphael watches.

“Always the good stuff. You never disappoint,” Luca says, opening his eyes, his pupils blown out, his lips curling up at the corners.

“Would you like some?” Raphael asks me, and my stupid gaze turns toward Luca as if asking for permission.

“I’m his driver,” I reply, even though the temptation is real.

“He is. Driving,” Luca says before adding, “Driving me crazy.”

His hand lands on the back of my neck and he leans forward, rubbing his nose up my cheek.

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