Page 135 of DeLucas After Dark

The flickering candlelight cast a warm glow over the table, casting shadows that danced along the crisp white tablecloth each time they moved. Enzo studied the wine list, eyes narrowing as he considered each option.

"This should be good," he murmured, selecting a bottle that would complement their meal perfectly. "A Barolo, 2010."

The attentive waiter scurried off to fetch their wine. Conversation flowed effortlessly between them, the outside world fading away in the intimate space they'd created. It still amazed him at how easy it was to talk to Eve.

Most of the time, he hated conversing with people. They either irritated him, or they said dumb shit that made him want to kill them. He hated pointless conversations. He despised talking just for the sake of talking.

But with Eve, he could talk for hours without getting bored. They could talk about anything, even his duties as don, which was not a conversation for tonight. But the point was, with her, he wasn't the same Enzo he was with others. With her, he was better.

As they savored the dishes before them, Enzo couldn't help but steal glances at Eve. The way the candlelight played off her smooth brown skin, highlighting the curve of her cheek and that spark of fire in her eyes, left him breathless.

As she forked a bite of food into her mouth, movement to his left caught his attention. His gaze flickered to the window, where his discreetly positioned guard stood watch.Shit. Was something going on outside?

"Enzo?" Eve's voice brought his gaze back to her. "You seem a little distracted. Is everything okay?"

"Yes, love," he replied, reaching across the table and squeezing her hand gently. "I was just admiring how beautiful you look tonight. I'm a lucky man."

"Flattery will get you everywhere, don DeLuca," she teased.

Enzo tensed when he noticed more movement to his left. Something was indeed going down outside. Smiling, Enzo reached for his napkin and dabbed the corners of his mouth.

"I'm going to the bathroom," he told Eve. "I'll be right back."

She finished taking a sip of her wine before she spoke. "Okay. I'll be here."

He bent down and kissed her forehead before heading toward the bathroom. When he rounded the corner, he saw a waiter standing just out of sight, awaiting his orders. Eve didn't know that he'd switched the waitstaff with some of Terzo's guys.

"What's going on outside?" Enzo whispered.

"A guy dressed as a waiter tried to enter the property," Vaughn answered. "Drew told him that he wasn't needed for tonight because it was a special event. The guy said he wanted to hear it from his boss."

"The owner of the restaurant, along with the head chef, already assured me that all staff who weren't needed tonight had been contacted." Enzo had even paid them for tonight despite not needing them.

"Yes, boss. That's how Drew knew something was wrong."

"Where's the guy now?" Enzo asked.

"Drew is dragging him around the building."

Shit. Enzo looked back in the direction of the dining area. If he was gone too long, Eve would worry.

Facing the waiter, Enzo said, "Keep an eye on Eve for me. If she comes looking for me, let her know that I stepped out to make a call."

"Yes, don Enzo."

Jaw clenched, Enzo strode toward the exit. He stepped out into the cool, crisp night air. He turned and headed toward the parking lot, wanting to see who the fuck thought it was a good idea to act up while he was on a date with his woman.

That person would soon breathe his last breath.

ENZO

He rounded the corner and stared up at the camera.

His team was manning the cameras. He'd paid an arm and a leg to have them be the only one with access to the cameras tonight. When he reached the parking lot, he saw Drew closing his trunk. Was Enzo too late to the party?

"Who is he?" Enzo asked.

"Hey, boss," Drew greeted him. "You didn't have to come out. I could handle this punk."

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