Page 87 of Highball and Chain

Enzo

Standingat the grill with the tongs in my hand, I replayed the first night I met Shanna. From the moment I’d seen her in that tight-fitting emerald green gown, I’d wanted to know what she hid beneath the velvet. But when her laughter had drifted across the night air, I wanted more than her body. Shanna had intrigued me. She hadn’t been like the other women at the gala. Even in her ridiculous feathered mask, she’d thrown her head back and laughed as if she didn’t give a damn what anyone thought.

What would it feel like to live so free?

“How are the steaks coming?” Marco motioned to the grill with a half-empty bottle of beer. “Smells like they’re burning.”

“Son of a bitch.” I fumbled to remove the meat from the flames.

“I’d ask where your head is, but it’s obvious.”

I ignored him.

“Come on, Enzo. A blind man could see you’re in love with her.” He nudged my shoulder. “What are you going to do about it?”

“Enjoy it while it lasts and let her go when it ends.” The words tasted like ash on my tongue.

“That’s fucking cold, even for you.” He shook his head. “What about her? Have you thought about her feelings?”

I turned to tell him to mind his own business, but didn’t get the chance. Female voices—loud, angry female voices—spilled out the sliding glass doors.

“Oh crap.” In his haste to get inside, Marco tripped over a lounge chair. He went one way and the beer bottle went the other. “Get in there before one of them bleeds on Ma’s white rugs!”

“You’re not welcome here!” Shanna shouted. “Cat killer!”

“Who are you to say! You’re nothing more than Enzo’s whore!”

I recognized Nico’s voice instantly. “What the hell is she doing here?”

“Go!” Marco grabbed a towel from a nearby chair and pressed it to the gash on his leg.

I ran through the house and came to a screeching halt in the foyer. Shanna and Nico stood a foot apart, glaring at each other. Meanwhile, Hildie looked on with her back against the wall and her hand pressed to her chest.

I steeled my nerves, cleared my throat, and waded into the oncoming cage match. “Shanna, please go help Marco.”

She moved her eyes in my direction. “With what?”

“He cut his leg and may need stitches.” I motioned to Hildie. “Go with her and get the first aid kit.”

Nico flashed Shanna a triumphant smile.

I had zero intention of letting her put Shanna down or allowing her to believe she had the upper hand. “Nicolina, you were asked to leave.”

Other than a quick wince, Shanna had the grace not to smirk or comment or otherwise inflame the situation. Instead, she nodded and followed Hildie.

Nico’s mouth fell open. “But I was invited.”

“By whom?” I folded my arms.

“Marco.” Her voice quivered, but I wasn’t buying it. I’d witnessed similar performances in the past.

“Regardless, you’re going to have to leave.” I made a mental note to throttle my little brother.

Her shoulders sagged. “Enzo, please. We need to talk.”

“You’re right. We do, but it isn’t going to happen tonight and not here.” I hated treating a woman so rudely, but Nico wasn’t just any woman. She was the principessa of the family who seemed hell-bent on destroying Shanna’s life—not to mention mine.

“I have nowhere else to go.” Tears spilled down her cheeks.

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