Page 99 of Hot Momosa

I understood his behavior—to a point. We’d both screwed up when we’d forgotten to lock the door, but Leo had blamed Stuart. His job was to protect me, but I hadn’t made it any easier on him. In hindsight, I could see how my insisting we walk to Enzo’s made it a thousand times more difficult to protect me.

However, his brusque tone wore on my last nerve. He’d stormed out before I could clarify which alley to meet him and the safest exit. After all, the building had four walls—a front a back and two sides.

Enzo rested his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll escort you to Stuart’s vehicle.”

“Thank you.” I glanced around for Shanna to say goodbye.

She stood in the corner of the room with a homicide detective she knew from work. They had their heads together, and judging by the way they glanced at me from time to time, I assumed I was the topic of the conversation.

Enzo was Leo’s least favorite brother, but I’d always liked him. He was different than the others, more of a loner than one of the pack. He had a legendary temper and a tendency to hold onto a grudge. None of that mattered to me. The fact that he loved Shanna fiercely made up for his more annoying traits.

He motioned to the door. “I’ll take you out the back way. It’s longer but is far more private.”

Thank goodness he knows where to meet the moody bodyguard.

“Stuart said to stay here. He’d call when he was in place.” I hated to argue, but I’d decided to do better at following orders. At least the ones that directly affected my safety.

“Yes, but what he doesn’t know is that area is a no parking zone. With the police presence, he won’t be able to wait long.” Enzo waved to his wife on our way out the door.

Shanna met my gaze and held her hand to her ear like a telephone receiver.

I nodded and followed Enzo through the kitchen to a narrow brick hall. The space was so short, we had to duck as we walked. “Is this an old servants’ hall?”

“Yes, the building was originally a large residence.” He bumped his head on a low hanging brick and laughed. “People were much shorter back then.”

“I bet the paranormal tour companies would pay a small fortune to bring tourists back here.”

“But then everyone would know about the passage, and it would be no use to me.” He dragged his hand over the uneven wall. “I use it to escort celebrities and dignitaries in and out of the building unseen.”

“And cheating spouses?” I had no idea where that thought had come from, but it made him chuckle.

“That too.” Enzo opened an ancient looking wooden door a just enough to see the street. “Stuart isn’t here. I’ll stay with you until he arrives.”

The cool night air caused a shiver to run through me.

“Where is your jacket?”

I hadn’t missed it until that moment. “I must have left it in the dining room, but there isn’t time to go back for it. I’ll get it the next time I see Shanna.”

He frowned. “I’d offer you my chef’s coat, but Shanna says it smells like dirty feet and garlic.”

“I’ll be okay. It’s a short walk from the door to the car.” For a politician’s daughter, I sucked at small talk. More like I hated it. Besides, there was a huge elephant crowding the hall. Enzo had spent the morning with Leo. He had to know about Gunnar. “Leo and I are going to introduce our son to your mom soon.”

His smile lit his entire face. “And me? When do I get to meet him? Shanna tells me he looks like his cousins.”

“You and Shanna are welcome to visit any time. I’m sure Gunnar will be tickled to meet another uncle.”

“We’ll stop by tomorrow and bring your jacket.” I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but Enzo’s smile widened. “We are expecting a child.”

His enthusiasm was contagious. I didn’t care what Leo said about him, Enzo might have had a crunchy shell, but he was all sweet and gooey in the center. “Congratulations.”

He glanced outside again. “Stuart’s here. Stay close.”

“Okay.” I followed him into the mouth of the alley, but before we reached the sidewalk, he slung his arm around my shoulders and tugged me closer.

“Sorry to manhandle you.” He tightened his grip. “Keep your head down.”

So many people moved around us, I had the sensation of swimming against the current. I stared at the crowd’s feet—men’s shoes, women’s shoes, a tiny pair of sneakers. Half of New Orleans must have been in the Quarter. A brownish orange pair of Italian loafers caught my eye.

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