Page 23 of Enzo
My childhood was a rough one, but it wasn’t until I got kicked out at fifteen because I made the mistake of getting caught with a boyanda girl in my bedroom that I found myself in this world.
Turns out I’m a shitty drug runner, but a good bodyguard. I prided myself on working my way up.
Saved from an endless cycle of getting into fights, to be trained under Tennant Mason—Cristian’s right hand, Second in Command, and Head of Security—working my way up to a house guard, then to Roman Amato’s Head Bodyguard.
I’ve spent years working for this man, being someone he trusted with his only child, and to know I’ve repaid him by becoming useless? It’s a hard pill to swallow.
“Sir…”
“Save it,” he replies mildly. “I don’t need to hear your excuses. Doc isn’t one to exaggerate, at least not when it comes to a person’s health. You’ve been neglecting yourself.”
I scowl. “I’ve done everything they’ve asked, sir. I’ve eaten what they’ve put in front of me, showered with their help, I do my PT, and I’m fucking living here! I don’t know what more you want from me.”
Cristian slides his hands into his pockets, studying me for a moment, no expression on his face. Over the years, I’ve learned how to read him. I’ll never be as close to him or know him as well as his own bodyguard, or even Doc, but being on Roman’s guard meant I had to be close to him for extended periods of time.
Right now? I know I’m fucked.
“That’s too bad,” he says in a deadly soft voice. “I purposely came to see you before your surgery tomorrow. I understand you’re stressed, probably panicked about how your life is going to go. But I will tell you exactly what’s going to happen, Enzo, if you don’t start talking to the therapist and seeing not only Benji, but whoever else from the Family wants to visit you. You’ve worked with a lot of people over the years, Enzo. They want to see you and make sure you’re okay.
“Not only that, but Roman is anxious to see you. He’s been worrying himself sick over you, and I’m surprised he hasn’t found a way to sneak over to come see you.”
“Tennant would kill him,” I retort.
Cristian shrugs. “It’d be worth it for him. So, you’re going to go to therapy, start taking visitors, and remember whose organization you’re a part of. If not…Doc already has a rehabilitation center picked out where you’ll do the rest of your recovery after tomorrow’s surgery.”
I clench my jaw, nausea churning in my gut at the knowledge I’ve not only disappointed Cristian, but Roman as well. “You’d threaten me?”
“I don’t make threats, Enzo. I make promises. You know this. Think about what I’ve said. You have until an hour before your surgery tomorrow to make your decision.”
With that, one of the most feared mafia Bosses in the country walks out of the sitting room, his pace casual, as if he hadn’t just threatened to upend my entire life—again.
Sighing, I lean forward to grab my phone off the coffee table. Holding it in my hand, I stare at the device for a long moment, gathering the courage that abandoned me when they took my leg before unlocking it.
ENZO
Want to come over? I need something to save me from the boredom
The reply is almost instant, and it makes me snort and shake my head.
BENJI
About damn time. I’m outside. Coming in now
Only a minute later one of the house staff comes into the room with Benji in tow. “Do you need anything, sir?”
“Some refreshments would be great, thanks.”
She bows her head and then leaves, letting Benji walk further into the room.
“You know, when the Boss asked me to meet him here, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I mean, Doc has an ego and can be a pretentious fuck, but I didn’t think he was this bougie.” He gestures to the room at large.
I have to agree, it’s not what I expected. Aside from the bookcases lining almost every wall, there are shelves full of fucking Disney movies on either side of the marble mantle.
The walls not covered in bookcases or movie shelves have interesting abstract paintings on them. I’m not an art guy, but they look like something you’d see in a museum.
The floor is the same hardwood as the rest of the house, a large, soft area rug in front of the sofa the only thing breaking up the space. The furniture is as soft as it looks—plush, and the perfect place for a late-afternoon nap.
It’s not just this room, though, the entire house goes against what one would expect Doc to live in, simply because he’s never come across as someone who has money.
