Page 114 of The Bonventi Hitman
Enzo's eyes shift to the framed photograph on my desk.
"How's Livia? Talk with her recently?" Enzo asks, his tone casual but loaded with meaning.
I'm caught off guard by the abrupt change in subject. I turn to look at the photo. "No, I've been busy. But if I don't hear from her, then it usually means she's good. Like I told you, she'll be visiting soon," I say and turn back to Enzo.
Enzo nods, a smile spreading across his face. "You know, Gabriel, you're like a brother to me. Always have been."
I raise an eyebrow, unsure where he's going with this.
"I want to bring you fully into the family, Gabriel. And what better way than through marriage?" He gestures to Livia's photo. "Your sister, she'd make a perfect wife. Think about it. It would cement your position, protect everyone you care about."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I struggle to keep my face neutral.
I force a smile. "That's quite an offer, Enzo. I'll need some time to think it over. To figure out how to approach Livia with this request."
Enzo laughs. "Well, Gabriel, it’s not as much of a request as you might want to believe. I’ve given this a lot of thought, and it’s what needs to happen in order for us to move on and for you to show your loyalty once and for all. So," he says and leans over, "I’m sure you’ll make her understand. It's what's best for the family, and for you personally."
"And what exactly would this mean for me?" I ask.
Enzo smiles. "I'm glad you asked, Gabe. With this union, you'd take Luca's role."
"A captain? That's quite a promotion," I say.
"It is," Enzo nods. "Because I trust you. I know you'll do what's right. And with Livia as my wife, I know you'll be even more invested in protecting our interests. Protecting her."
I stand and walk around the desk. "I'm taking Anna to Europe for a few weeks to get away. I need the time. Livia will be here in four weeks. We'll return then, and you'll have what you want."
Enzo gets up and pats me on the shoulder. "I knew you'd understand. Enjoy your time, and I expect you in a month's time. Take care, Gabe."
He walks out and shuts the door. I wait for a few moments and then pick up the small table that rests between my two office chairs and throw it against the wall.
Motherfucker.
After I calm down, I go to find Anna. She's in the kitchen, nervously sipping coffee. When she sees me, her eyes widen with concern.
"Gabriel, what happened? Is everything okay?"
"Things have worked out even better than we planned. Enzo knows about Luca, but he thinks I did him a service because he feels Luca may have been a snitch like Isabella."
"That's good, right? Why do you have a look like it’s not good?" Anna asks, studying my face.
"Yeah, because there's something else. He wants me to marry my sister. And the way he said it," I clench my fists, "if it doesn't happen, we may all be in trouble."
Anna sets down her coffee cup, her hand trembling slightly. "What are you going to do?"
I walk over to her, pulling her into my arms. "The only thing I can do. We're going to Europe to enjoy our time together and celebrate the next chapter in our lives, and when we come back," I pause, hating the words even as I say them, "I'll convince Livia to marry him."
"Gabriel…" Anna starts, but I cut her off with a kiss.
"Let's not worry about it now. We'll find a way through this, together."
I hold her tightly, trying to push away the gnawing fear in my gut.
"Pack your bags, Bella. We're leaving tonight."
As we walk upstairs to pack, I can't shake the image of Livia's photo on my desk. My brilliant little sister with her Ph.D.dreams and her quiet life away from all this violence. I'm about to drag her straight into hell.
But at least we'll all be alive.
