Page 124 of Highball and Chain

I stepped aside to make room for him to leave. When he closed the door, I turned to Tara. “I don’t particularly like you, but I understand you were caught in a bad situation.”

She nodded. “I didn’t know they were planning to hurt Joe and Rebecca. When I found out, I tried to stop them from hurting anyone else.”

“You should have gone to Enzo.” I don’t know what I would have done in her situation, but I couldn’t let her off the hook. We needed her help, and I planned to get it by any means necessary. “Are you willing to tell the authorities what you told us?”

The color drained from her face.

I pointed in the direction Enzo had gone. “That man has promised to set you up in a new life far from here. You’ve worked for him for years. Do you believe he’d go back on his word?”

“No, but…” Her voice cracked.

I leaned close enough to feel her breath on my face. “If you don’t do something to stop them from murdering other innocent people, you’ll be just as guilty as they are. Can you live with that kind of blood on your hands?”

“I’ll do it. I swear. Just please…make sure my kids are okay.” She broke down.

“You have my word.” I handed her a clean towel. “Stay quiet while I talk to Enzo.”

Tara nodded and slowed the waterworks.

Exhausted from lack of sleep and an abundance of drama, I shuffled into the kitchen in hopes of finding a full coffee pot. Instead, I found Hildie.

The housekeeper glanced from me to the hall. “Tell me he isn’t planning to hurt anyone.”

“He’s not.” I rested my hip against the counter. “We’re keeping her here for her own safety. Enzo sent a couple of bodyguards to pick up her kids, and then we’re sending them into hiding.”

Hildie sighed as if the weight of the world had lifted from her shoulders. “Thank God…I heard crying and thought.” She waved her hand. “It doesn’t matter what I thought.”

It amazed me she didn’t ask questions. Had I woken to a woman cuffed to the wall of my laundry room, I would have freaked out. Then again, Hildie had spent decades with the Marchionnis. “Working in this house for so many years must have been hard.”

“At times, yes.” She busied herself preparing a pot of coffee. “Enzo and the others are in Joe’s office. He said to tell you to join them when you’re ready.”

“Are you okay?” I rested my hand on her arm. I wanted to hug her, but I didn’t know if it would help or make things worse.

Tilting her head, Hildie met my gaze. “I’ll be fine and you? How are you holding up?”

I had a feeling she wasn’t asking about my lack of sleep or the situation with Tara. “I love him. None of this changes that.”

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “And?”

“He told me he loves me, too.” Saying the words aloud woke the butterflies in my stomach.

“I never thought I’d see the day.” She threw her arms around me. “He’s a lucky man.”

“Thanks, but I’m the lucky one.” Pulling away, I said, “I should get in there.”

“I’ll start some breakfast. It’ll be ready when you’re finished with the call.” Despite the hour and the drama, Hildie hummed while she worked.

I made my way to Papa Joe’s office and opened the door enough to poke my head inside.

Enzo held his arm out to me while continuing his conversation on speaker phone. “Gabe, I understand your concerns, but this isn’t your decision to make.”

My heart sped to a gallop. Decision? Are we back to arguing over who’s in charge?

Gabe said, “It’s not yours either. This affects all of us.”

I moved to Enzo’s side, and he pulled me into his lap.

Marco muttered under his breath, and Nico whispered something into his ear. When she glanced away, he stared at her as if she were the freaking Mona Lisa.

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