Page 1 of Enzo
Pancakes have to be the best food ever invented. Kail always makes disgusted noises at how many I put away, but when your entire job is keeping a tiny five-foot four spitfire of a mafia heir in line, you need the fuel.
“What do you want to go with the lasagna tonight?” Kail asks as he wraps a stack of pancakes up in foil.
“Maybe that vegetable medley you made with the meatloaf a few weeks ago, I liked that. Benji did too.”
Kail snorts. “Benji needs to learn to cook for himself.”
I grin. “Why, when he can eat our leftovers? We sure as heck won’t eat them.”
He sighs but knows I’m right. Kail is one of those cooks who gets paranoid about not having enough, so he always makes more, which in turn leads to leftovers we won’t eat. Hence my best friend reaping the benefits of my boyfriend’s cooking.
After Kail’s done wrapping Benji’s breakfast up, he goes and pulls last night’s dinner out of the fridge, putting it in a bag and setting the foil-wrapped pancakes on top.
“What are your plans for today?” I ask.
“Nothing much. Going to steal some gravy from Nona because I haven’t had time to make any but I still want lasagna.” I snort at that and he ignores me. “Laundry after that, then maybe I’ll stop in and see my dad. What time do you think you’ll be home?”
“Roman has school, but as far as I know that’s it, so I shouldn’t be home too late. I’ll try to let you know if it changes, though.”
We both know that working for the Amato Family can be unpredictable, and things can change in an instant. As a bodyguard for the main Family, I’m not always in a position to contact my boyfriend to say I’ll be late for dinner.
Anyone else probably wouldn’t put up with that shit, especially when, in the last few years, there have been multiple times we’ve been forced to tighten security around Roman.
The NDAs we all sign, plus our loyalty to the Family, means we’re tight-lipped about our jobs to any outsiders, which makes it hard to have relationships with other people. Kail not only being part of the Family already, but growing up with both his father and older brothers as guards, means he understands more than most. It makes it easier on us both, as we understand when one of us needs to work late or we don’t come home entirely due to work.
“Well, text me when you can. Either way, I’m having lasagna for dinner.”
I laugh. “I will.”
Taking my empty plate to the sink, I rinse it off and set it in the dishwasher. When I turn around, Kail steps into me and wraps his arms around my waist.
Settling a hand against his lower back, I brush my fingers under his chin, lifting his face to mine and kissing him slowly. “I love you. I’ll see you later.”
“Love you too. Tell Benji I want my containers back.”
Chuckling, I kiss him again before pulling away and double checking I have everything I need. Kail helps untwist one of the straps on my holster, and then hands me the bag of food he packed for Benji.
“Tell Nona I said hi, and I’m going to beat her next time I see her.”
He laughs. “Yeah, sure. I’ll pay money to see that.”
I roll my eyes. “I swear that old lady cheats.”
Kail smiles indulgently but we both know it’s true. His grandmother may look like a sweet, matronly woman, but she’s a fucking card shark. I’m determined to beat her one day. Doesn’t matter what game it is, the queen will fall.
At the front door, I set the food bag down long enough to get my guns out of the safe built into the entryway table. It’s not the only place where weapons are stored throughout the house, but the ones I use for work are always secured here as soon as I get home.
Geared up, I grab the food, triple check I have everything, then head out.
The driveto the main house is uneventful, and I store Benji’s food container in the staff fridge in the kitchen, making sure to label it before grabbing the pancakes and going to look for my best friend.
I find both Benji and Thomas—another of Roman’s guards—in the detached garage. “Catch.” I toss the foil-wrapped pancakes at Benji.
He sighs as he unwraps his breakfast. “I love Kail. Do you think he’d notice if I just moved in with y’all?”
I laugh. “Uh, yeah.”
“We need to get you a life, Benji,” Thomas teases, leaning against the SUV behind him and sipping his coffee. “What are you looking for? A wife? A husband? One of each? I’m sure Jennie knows some people.”
