Page 96 of The Bonventi Secret
"You know, I came to that diary in a bad way. So you know what's in it. Why don't you tell me what you want and leave out what you don't want to share right now," I say.
Enzo takes a few moments to process what I said and then nods.
"My grandfather started having some memory issues. It started small. Like he'd forget that he told you something or he'd lose his keys. At first, it was easy to brush off, or he'd suddenly remember whatever it was. But one day he stopped remembering. We'd have to tell him, and he'd say he remembered, but you could tell he couldn’t. And then one day, I walked in the house, and he didn't recognize me," Enzo says and takes a deep breath.
I can tell this is hard for him, so I reach out and grab his hand. He squeezes it.
"So my father decided he should take over. The problem was we were all too ashamed to admit what was happening, so no one knew my grandfather’s condition. Thus, no one agreed to let my dad take control since my grandfather was alive. Of course, they told my grandfather, and he was very upset. He thought my father was trying to overstep him, and there was all this fighting, and it was terrible. I found a place in Italy that would take my grandfather. Do tests, watch him, and let us know what the hellwas going on. I arranged everything, down to the private flights there and back—no one would have found out," he continues.
His chest is starting to rise rapidly, and I can tell something bad is coming.
"And that son of a bitch killed him. Shot his own damn father just to control the Bonventi family. My relationship with my father was always rocky. He never approved. Never was satisfied. He acted like he built all this, that it was owed to him, and he was above everyone. So when I found out, we fought badly, and he had the audacity to order a hit on me. Can you believe that? My own fucking father put out a hit on his son."
"Jesus Christ," I say, the words just spilling out. I cover my mouth. "Sorry."
"No, I get it. It's a worthy reaction. So the hitman comes to me and tells me. See, my father didn't care much for loyalty, so he never paid attention to the loyalty I had built among the family from the top all the way down. So when I confronted my father and he drew—I was quicker, and that was that."
"So the hitman saved you?"
Enzo nods. "Yes, and years later, when he made a mistake, I offered him a way out as a way to repay my debt to him," Enzo says, looking at me. "His sister's hand in marriage."
"Gabriel!" I blurt out.
Enzo nods. "Yep, and honestly, all this has been such a burden on me that I would ask God why I had to do all this, and now I see that all this brought me to you. A fucked up way to arrive at your soulmate’s door—but I'll take it."
"Soulmates? You think that's what I am to you?" I ask with the biggest smile possible.
"I don't think—I know."
"By the way, did Gabriel ever tell you what he did to have you wind up in my house?"
I shake my head. "No, in the beginning, I was too mad, and then when I started having feelings for you, I didn't care. Now that I love you—I really don't care."
"Fair enough. If you ever want to know, ask him. It’s probably best coming from him."
I shrug. "I now feel this is exactly where I am supposed to be, so…"
Enzo smiles and kisses me.
"Why don't we go downstairs and have some food? Maybe discuss our Sicily trip and, you know, maybe some wedding stuff. Of course, your PhD comes first like I promised, but it wouldn't hurt to start thinking about it."
"I'd like that very much."
As we get dressed, Enzo takes my hand to walk downstairs. Before we get to the door, he turns to look at me. "What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life?"
I smile.
"Absolutely nothing."
EPILOGUE
My skull pendant presses against my sweaty palm as I clutch it. The corridor outside the conference room feels like it's closing in on me, the fluorescent lights harsh against my eyes. Years of research, countless sleepless nights, and endless cups of coffee have led to this moment.
"Breathe, Liv," Megan says. "I know you absolutely crushed it in there."
I offer a forced smile as I continue pacing.
"Seriously, Liv, you're going to wear a hole in the floor," Megan says, reaching out to grab my arm. "Come sit down. You're making me dizzy."
