Page 44 of Sins of Bliss
“Actually, he found me at a tattoo parlor, but that is beside the point. I need your help. All of you.”
“Just say the word,” Nixon remarks.
But it isn’t Nix or Sully who I fear won’t help. My gaze connects with Enzo’s, and I would be lying if I said my stomach didn’t somersault at the thought of him walking out of my apartment when I ask the question.
“Vincenza’s wedding is tonight,” I say, never looking away from Enzo. “I need help to stop it.”
His eyes narrow slightly, but his expression doesn’t give anything away. From my peripheral, I see Sully and Nixon gesture their agreement to help.
My heart gallops in my rib cage with every moment that passes without Enzo’s response until suddenly Sully erupts.
“Jesus, Enzo, give up the ‘I hate that family’ bullshit. Your cousin and best friend just asked you for help, and you’re standing here making him wait for a response. Get over yourself, man, and let's help him get Vinnie back.Especiallysince August might be hurting her.”
“What do you mean?” Enzo asks immediately, his gaze shifting to Sully. He may not like the idea of me being with Vincenza because she’s a Paladino, but he would never sit backand allow a man to bring harm to a woman—no matter who her family is.
“You haven’t told him?” Sully asks, shaking his head at me before turning back to Enzo. “I ran into her and she was acting really suspect. It made my spidey senses tingle. Something’s not quite right.”
It’s with Sully’s words that I insert myself once more. “Aside from loving her beyond measure, I could never let her marry someone who is hurting her. Even if she does not want to be with me, I will not let this wedding happen—but I need help. Are you in, or are you out, Lorenzo?”
Another long pause settles in the air before he answers. My heart starts beating again once he says, “I’m in.”
“Eccellente.”
“So what’s the plan?” Nixon asks, looking at me for direction.
A smile crawls across my face as the gears in my mind start warming up, a plan forming right behind my eyes. “Come, let me tell you what ideas I have so far.”
Moving into my dining room, we all take a seat around the mahogany table, and I take a moment before addressing them. Staring down at my fingers, I pick a small piece of skin at the edge of my nail and think about how I want this to happen.
I start by telling them the one thing I know for certain. “By my hand, August will die today.”
Sully’s eyes widen, and he pales. He’s never known the monster inside me—only Enzo has truly seen me in my darkest. Nixon seems unsurprised, but as members of The Sinners, there have been times where we have done things we are not entirely proud of, both together and individually.
“Vincenza has given me a few signs that he is hurting her, but rather than acting in haste, I have been planning a strategy that will not only end the abuse the love of my life has been facing, but also show the Paladinos—primarily Joseph—that theLucchettis fight for and protect the people we love. Enzo, this will be a clear message that we have not forgotten Gabriele’s death.”
Enzo nods in agreement, and I continue. “The wedding is at five o’clock at Saint Sebastian's church, but I need to see her first. If there is a chance I can put a stop to the wedding without resorting to violence, I will take it. But I am not above ending August to make sure the vows are unsaid, and frankly, I know with every fiber of my being that is how it will end. Vinnie will not agree to end the wedding—she has told me as much and I can tell there is something he has against her—but I will at least attempt before I take full action.”
The men around me are quiet, waiting to see if I have more to say. When it is clear I do not, Nixon speaks first. “So, what are you thinking?”
“I have reason to believe prior to the ceremony she will be at The Manhattan Grand hotel. I wish to go there and speak to her. We will call that plan A. If I am unsuccessful, we will move to plan B.”
“Which is?” Sully interjects.
“I suppose then I can be considered a wedding crasher.”
“Tell me more,” Enzo comments. “How will you know where to find her at the hotel?”
“Well, this is where I need help. Nixon, perhaps you will be best for this portion. Someone will need to visit the front desk and pose as a relative–perhaps one who has just come into town. Nixon will be best suited for this because no one will recognize him.”
I run my hand along my trimmed beard, thinking about how to utilize Sully and his charms. “Sullivan, it would be great if you were a distraction. If Vinnie’s mother, or someone else, tries to go up to the room, perhaps you can use your magnetism to distract them.”
“And me?” Enzo contemplates. “I can’t be held liable for what might happen if I cross paths with a Paladino.”
“Your job will be done from afar, cugino. I need you to work on plan B. If I cannot sway Vinnie, I need to figure out how to get into that church undetected. Surely, the Paladinos will have top security working, and I need to know how to get past them. Is that something you can do?”
“It is.”
“Anything else I should consider?” I ask, wondering if I’ve missed anything.
