Page 45 of Merciless Oath

“You’ll need burner phones,” Luigi says, glancing up at me. “What are you doing about vehicles?”

“One of your guys is getting us phones,” Enzo assures him. “Talked to him earlier. And we’ll be switching vehicles at least once to throw them off our trail.”

Uncle Luigi nods and unfolds his tall, lanky frame from the dining chair. Our eyes meet, and he shoots me a hesitant smile.

“You’ll keep me updated on that plan, then?” he finally asks, placing a hand on Enzo’s shoulder. My heart nearly melts at this brief display of trust.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good.” Luigi nods. “Good luck to you both, then.”

He makes his way outside to meet the cleaning crew he called over. I slip into the seat beside Enzo and lean my head on his shoulder.

“What a morning, huh?” I ask, chuckling despite everything.

“Best morning of my life.” He grins. “Wanna know why?”

“Oh Lord, do I?” I hide my face, pretending to be sick of Enzo’s cheesy lines.

“You do.” He nods assertively. “It’s because I woke up next to the most beautiful woman on earth, and she didn’t storm out of my house this time.”

“I tried, Enzo, I tried.” I laugh, pinching his chin. “You just happened to storm out after me.”

“Nah, all I remember are sweet hugs and kisses in my closet,” he says, smiling down at me.

My cousin bustles into the kitchen, interrupting us with an armful of gadgets. After discussing the devices, we finally set out on the road to a small, private airstrip to meet Matilda.

My heart hammers in my chest while we watch the plane touch down. My little girl is about to meet her father, and she doesn’t even know it.

“You don’t look like a pine tree,” Matilda says thoughtfully, studying Enzo. My heart sinks as soon as I realize where she’s going with this.

“You’d think so, but I’m actually taller than I look,” he jokes, shooting me a confused look and shrugging.

I’m grateful that he rolls with the punches so easily, but Matilda is about to embarrass the crap out of me, and I need to put a stop to it.

“Okay, honeybee,” I try to divert her attention. “Let’s go.”

“Uncle Alfonso and Uncle Luigi always talk about Mama pining over someone,” she continues undeterred. “But pine trees are green.”

He chokes back a laugh and wiggles his eyebrows at me while I nearly melt into the floor. Alfonso bites his lip so hard I’m surprised he doesn’t draw blood.

I shoot him a menacing growl, and he scurries away to grab Matilda’s luggage.

“Ah, you got me,” Enzo says, crouching down to meet her at eye level. He slowly rolls up his sleeve, extending his arm. “See? Green.”

Matilda cracks a smile and gently traces the green watercolor tattoos on his arm.

I watch their interaction with apprehension, trying to decipher how Matilda feels, but she seems surprisingly fine. The initial meeting went smoothly, and she readily accepted the story of “Mama’s friend Enzo.”

I glance around the tiny waiting room in the hangar, keeping an eye out for any sign of danger.Enzo’s right, this is a goodidea. I’m too paranoid now that Matilda’s back in the same city as The8.

“Ready to go?” Alfonso asks with a sheepish smile. I glare at him, shaking my head, and he shrugs.

“Pine trees?” I mouth to him, and he chuckles deeply. As embarrassed as I am, a feeling of relief washed over me when he agreed to join us this weekend.

Another practiced shooter and fighter to add to our entourage.

A technician drives a black Cadillac into the hangar, complete with heavily tinted windows and out-of-state license plates.

---