Page 34 of Highball and Chain

My brain kicked into hyper-drive. Enzo said he’d grown up with the Lazios. The families were close. Is Maggie about to marry into the mafia? Does she know? Has Gabe confided in her?

“Is it really safer here than at home?”

“Yes, but from the sound of it, we’ll be on lock-down.” Smiling, Maggie watched Gabe join Marco and the kids outside. Strange she could still find joy given our current topic of conversation. “It’s probably best if you go home after the wedding. I have no idea how long we’ll be here.”

Enzo stormed into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. “It seems I’ll be the one escorting you back to New Orleans.”

“You?” Why isn’t he staying with the rest of the family? I glanced between them and settled on Maggie. “Indefinitely? With the kids? What about their school?”

“It’s not ideal, but we’ll manage.” She shrugged. “I should help Gabe with the munchkins.”

I nodded because what else could I do? I couldn’t exactly grill her with Enzo standing there brooding like he belonged in a James Dean movie.

“We’ll talk soon.” She gave me a weak smile and stepped outside.

Enzo motioned to the whiskey and raised an eyebrow.

“Please.” I joined him in the kitchen. “I’m so freaking confused. Why does a known mob family have issues with the Marchionnis?”

He filled two glasses. “Maggie told you that?”

I lowered my voice. “I helped her research your family for her article. You’d be surprised the amount of information readily available on the internet and in public records.”

He downed his scotch. “Do you really need to ask why? You’re a private investigator in New Orleans.”

“A PI in training.” I grabbed my glass and knocked back half the contents.

“Regardless, you know half the city is corrupt and the other half profits from it. This situation isn’t much different.”

While he hadn’t come right out and said the words, I’d heard enough to put the pieces together. The Marchionnis might not be card-carrying members, but they were involved with the mafia.

“Shouldn’t everyone leave Ragusa? If you dumping Nicolina started a mob war…”

He stared into his glass. “There’s more to it than that. Gabe is trying to break ties with the old families. It’s causing some…issues.”

“Shit, Enzo.” I groped for the counter to stay upright. “I don’t… I don’t know how to respond to that.”

“I’ve said more than I should have. I trust your discretion?”

I met his gaze, and my breath caught. I don’t know what I expected to see in his expression, but the pain in his eyes took me off guard. “I would never betray your trust.”

“I need to make some calls.” He glanced away. “Can we have that dinner date when we return home?”

The abrupt change of subject made my head spin. As much as I wanted to accept, I couldn’t help but worry what getting involved with a mafioso would do to my already chaotic life. However, I couldn’t bring myself to turn him down. Not when he seemed so damned defeated. “Of course.”

He went upstairs, leaving me alone to think. I didn’t want to leave Maggie here with these people, but I certainly didn’t intend on hanging around. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end, and I turned to find Evelyn staring.

The woman poured herself a drink, refilled my glass, and set it in front of me. “Everything all right?”

“As well as can be expected.” Thankful for something to do with my hands, I sipped the whiskey. “How is Mr. Marchionni?”

“Stubborn as always.” Evelyn watched her family play on the other side of the glass door.

“Is there anything I can do to help with the wedding plans?”

“You can stay away from Lorenzo.” She spoke without wasting a glance in my direction.

I nearly spilled my drink. “We’re friends. I’m not interested in anything more.”

“I can’t decide if you are lying to me or to yourself.”

I couldn’t form a thought, let alone a reply, but I had no intention of allowing anyone to tell me what I could or couldn’t do. “Excuse me, I need to go change.”

Evelyn raised her glass, nodded, and turned her attention back to the pool.

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