“Fucking bullshit. She has a hidden agenda, just like her old man.” His glacial glare cuts right through the air between him and Maya.
I watch Maya roll her eyes dramatically. “My papa has nothing against your organization here in Providence. We didn’t even retaliate when you took out one of our men a few months back. And FYI, that man was set up, he was innocent.” Maya stands her ground, her lips set in a thin line.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Enzo snakes his arm around my waist.
I watch the volley match between them, wondering if my ears should be privy to this exchange.
“Work it out, college boy.” Maya returns her focus to me. “Meet at Sinatra’s?”
“See you then.” I grin at her and her total disregard for Enzo’s position.
Enzo’s grip on my waist tightens as Maya strides away. “Fucking prissy bitch,” he breathes through clenched teeth.
“Hey, I like her.” I look up at him, his eyes focused on me, a look of distaste aimed at me.
“Stay away from her, she’s up to something and I don’t like it.” He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into his chest.
“You can’t tell me who I can and can’t be friends with. It might work with your staff, but not me, buddy.” I tap him on the chest. “Can’t you send her away now that you’re, you know.” I don’t want to say it, we haven’t even mentioned his father’s death and what it means for him now, let alone how he feels about it. He has shut that part of him off, the hurt and sorrow yet to rear its ugly head.
“Better she stays on our soil, for now.” He looks down at me, behind his dark eyes, I can see the pain and its fight to get out.
I don’t know how we so seamlessly changed from our unhealthy, and toxic, ways to this new normal. I’m still dancing around the edge of seeing the old vicious and ruthless Enzo return, with his cruel words and total disregard for my feelings.
“What?” He smirks at me.
“I’m just wondering when the old Enzo will return,” I confess.
“Never, with you. But stay around because I’m sure he will appear when you least expect it. There are many people who fuck me off, on a daily basis. Miss priss being one of them.” He smirks.
I shake my head at him. “I have to get to class.” I kiss him on his perfectly bowed lips and leave him standing there, watching me as I make my way across campus.
***
The nervous tension in me just about explodes as I enter the auditorium, the fact that the last time I was here, just before leaving for Rome, Rob must have already had his plan in place for my kidnapping. The fucker got what he deserved.
I spot Jake, sitting in his same old seat, his face lighting up when he sees me approach.
“Hey stranger, long time no see.” His lopsided grin making me smile.
“Hey, is my old seat taken?”
“Saved it for you. Knew you’d be back sooner or later.” He moves his bag so I can take a seat.
“I’ve missed so much,” I sigh as I look at the mess my papers are in.
“That you have. But on the plus, we have a new professor, and she’s hot.” Jake chuckles.
I pause for a moment and wonder if Jake knows what happened to Rob and the whole Rome bullshit. “I need to apologize to you, for leaving you high and dry in Rome.” I knot my fingers together.
“I know all about it, and Rob was a prick. I would have fucking strangled him myself if I knew what he was up to. You have nothing to apologize for.” Jake’s eyes take on a ferocity I haven’t seen before.
“You know.”
“I do, and the asshole got what he deserved.”
“I’m sorry you got caught up in it.” I frown.
“Don’t apologize.” He shakes his head and squeezes my hands.
“Thank you. You are a great friend.” I bump my shoulder into his and watch his eyes light up when our professor waltzes in.
She is hot, in her tight pencil skirt and slightly see-through blouse. I notice she scans the room and her eyes meet Jake’s, a sneaky knowing look passes between the two of them. Easy to miss if I wasn’t paying close attention to how hot she is.
Jake fidgets in his seat, I look at him and elbow him.
“What?” He rubs his arm and can’t help the spread of his guilty grin.
“You’re sleeping with her,” I accuse.
“Shh, don’t say it too loud.” He covers my mouth with his palm.
“I’m sorry,” I giggle against his hand.
He removes his palm from my face. “Don’t tell a soul.”
“Your secret is safe with me.” I pretend to zip my lips shut and wink at him.
The rest of the clas passes quickly and I head straight to Sinatra’s after class, Amber is meeting me there and I’m a little nervous about Maya joining us. She’s the daughter of a mob boss and could flip a switch and have me murdered if she so pleases.
I find Amber sitting at the usual table, sunglasses on, coffee in hand.
“Hey, roomie.” I grin and I sit down beside her.
She pulls her sunglasses down her nose. “Who are you?”
“Hey, don’t be like that.” I pout at her, hoping my face is worth forgiving.
“Are you coming back to the dorm room at all?” She takes off her sunglasses and places them on the table.
“Yes, right now, after lunch. Please forgive me.” I grab a hold of her arm and beg her.
“I suppose you’re forgiven.” She smiles and gives me a side hug.
“I missed you and this, so much.” I squeeze her back.
“You missed heaps of shit while you were gone. One major one being, Stephan, and Jake becoming friends with Enzo and the rest of them. It’s not as much fun not having to sneak around and try not to get caught meeting up with Stephan.”
“What’s up with that? I thought your cousins didn’t mingle with non, you know.” I don’t finish my sentence.
“They bonded over a dumb fight at a club in Boston, since then, they’ve hung out now and again.” She shrugs. “Males,” she laughs.
“Males.” Maya chimes in from behind us. “What about males?”
“They’re all so confusing,” I answer.
“That I will agree with, but they’re adorably obedient, like little puppies. You just snap your fingers and they come running with their tongue hanging out,” she chuckles and sits opposite us.
“Maybe that works for you,” I laugh.
“Come on, you’ve single-handedly tamed that vicious killing machine, and got him wrapped tightly around your little finger.” She winks at me.
I stare at her in surprise.
“Don’t deny it, that boy is so in love with you, he can’t see straight when you’re not here. Am I right, Amber?”
“She’s right,” Amber grins at me.
“It’s not like that,” I argue. But who am I kidding, it is exactly like that, for me anyway?
“Sure.” Maya nods mockingly. “Soak it up, girlfriend, he is pussy whipped.” She winks.
I stifle a giggle. “I’ll tell him you said that.”
“Oh, please do and video it. I need to see the steam coming out of his ears. He gets rattled so easily,” she snorts.
“I think only you have the balls to argue with him. No one else in their right mind would be brave enough.” Amber waves at the waitress to get her attention.
“Balls or stupidity?” Maya giggles.
“Definitely balls.” I agree.
Maya grabs the water glass and holds it up in salute. “To chicks with balls.”
Amber and I grab a glass each and repeat it. “To chicks with balls.”
Our afternoon is spent gossiping and eating antipasto. We find out a little more about Maya and her family back in New York, how she is the only girl amongst her cousins and is allowed to get away with murder. Literally. Although she didn’t confirm that, I wouldn’t doubt it. She tells us she lives in the dorms here at Verona because she wanted a genuine college experi
ence, unlike back home where she lived in one of her family’s apartments. We finish up late and we walk her back to her room, not far from ours, and promise to catch up again for coffee.
I check my phone as Amber and I make our way back to our room. Not a word from Enzo for hours now. I know I shouldn’t worry, but I can’t help the feeling.
“Has he text you yet?” Amber rolls her eyes at me dramatically.
“No.” I hope she doesn’t hear the worry in my voice.
“He’s probably out on family business. They’re keen to figure out who shot Salvatore.” Amber shrugs.
“That makes me feel a whole heap better. Not.” I slide my phone back into my bag.
“Get used to it. They’re not going to back off until they get every last one of them.” She links her arm in mine and gives me a reassuring smile.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Enzo
I sit in the Enzo, now my inherited Enzo, outside my childhood home, waiting to work up the courage to step foot in there again. I haven’t been back here since that day when my world crashed into me. I take a long drag on my blunt and enjoy the burn in my throat, the mellow feeling slowly washing over me as I finish smoking.
Here goes fucking nothing.
I make my way through the back of the house, the staff has kept the place spotless as though nothing sinister occurred under this roof. I hesitate at his office door before I step through the threshold to see my two uncles, and two cousins, sitting in the chairs provided for guests, not one of them taking the seat at the desk. Now, my seat.
“Enzo, my boy, come give your uncle a hug.” Uncle Vito stands and holds his arms wide.
I step into his embrace, the strength of his arms circling me and holding me together.
“We are here for you, no matter what.” He untangles himself from me and holds the sides of my face in his large, calloused hands, making me look into his midnight eyes. “We are family.” He kisses each of my cheeks before letting me go.
“Thanks.” I look at my shoes, the unsettling feeling of inadequacy creeping into my gut before I make my way to the other side of the desk and stare at the office chair.
“Enzo, this is yours by birthright. Don’t feel guilty, son. Take what’s yours. We support you in every way,” Uncle Lorenzo encourages, his words coating me with determination.
I glance at Luca, and Dante, both are watching me keenly, waiting for me to take my seat at the head of the family, like my father before me and my nono before him. Generations upon generations of Russo men have sat at the top of the family, ruling with ruthless conviction and loyalty to the family.
I pull the chair out and hold my breath as I lower myself into the soft Italian leather, its cold caress reminding me of my father’s skin as he lay in his coffin. I can feel the steady thud of my heart, beating with a determination to honor this family and what it stands for.
“Are you okay, son?” Uncle Lorenzo stares at me, a worried line forming between his thick eyebrows.
I glance up at him, remembering to breathe, and clasp my hands on the desk. “I am. I am ready to honor our name.”
Dante, and Luca, catch my eye as they tilt their heads back and howl.
“Boys, seriously.” Vito scowls at them, his voice not displaying an ounce of anger.
“Fuck, yes, captain.” Luca jumps up and fist bumps me.
“Sit down you clown,” Vito sighs and shakes his head. “We have important matters to discuss.
“Sorry, pops.” Luca throws him a goofy grin and kisses him on the cheek before taking his place back in his chair.
“Enzo, we’ll take things slowly, let you adjust to this new position. We, as your family, are here to guide and support you.” Lorenzo watches me carefully.
“Thanks, I will try my best to run this organization without fucking everything up. How do we move forward from here?” I lean back in the chair.
“It’s up to you. The other chapters in nearby states are all keen to see us fall, they are watching to see how we handle this situation.” Vito leans forward in his chair, bracing his elbows on his knees.
“We won’t fall,” my voice comes out gruff.
“What we like to hear.” Vito nods. “We are happy to continue as we have, with you making final decisions on all aspects of business. Or, if you need support, Lorenzo, and I are more than happy to step up and take some of the burdens from your shoulders.”
I contemplate taking over this kingdom on my own, a kingdom of merciless soldiers ready to kill in cold blood without question, for the Russo name. Their loyalty and devotion to this family run deep and the last thing I want to do is ruin it.
“I’d like your help until I work out the ropes.” My eyes scan them both.
“Of course, my boy. Your father would have wanted us to look out for you, to help you carry on his name and this family.” Lorenzo stands and strides around the table, clasping me on the shoulder.
I look up at him, at his caring nature and wonder why he hasn’t turned to the dark side completely. “I don’t want to be my father,” I say flatly.
He crouches down next to me, so we are level. “Allow me to let you in on a little secret. This life, your position in this mob world, will make you or break you. You will need to learn to put on an impenetrable façade, to protect yourself from the eyes that are watching your every move. Once you are here, behind closed doors, you can be who you want to be, you can fall apart, and you can revel in your victory. But out there, my boy, you will need to be the cruel and merciless man your father was.”
I stare at him and take in his words, a fire sparks in my veins as thoughts of slaughtering the fuckers who killed my father, and Mateo, circle in my mind. “The only thing I’ll do differently is to keep getting my hands dirty. I don’t want to hole myself up in this office and bark orders at everyone. I will find who murdered my father and I will end them.”
Lorenzo nods in understanding. “You are your father, through and through.”
I watch him walk around the desk and back to his seat. Both my cousins are unusually quiet, and I wonder if they’ve been warned to act like mature adults and not like the delinquents we are. “Douche canoes.” I glare at Dante, and Luca, their eyes instantly snap to mine. “Can you two quit being so boring in here. Like, holy fuck, I can’t take it,” I chuckle.
“Aye, aye, captain.” Luca salutes me. “Permission to be a dick.”
“Permission granted,” I laugh and spot Dante shaking his head and grinning ear to ear.
“Good heavens, you three are something else,” Vito sighs and shakes his head, trying to hide a smirk.
“But seriously now, do we have any leads yet?” I look to Lorenzo, who usually has all the intel.
“There are talks of out of town cartel associations, the bullets used are not sold in neighboring states. They were imported from overseas, most likely by gangs. We have leads on their origins, our men are negotiating for information as we speak.” Lorenzo means business, he is the man for details.
“What business did my father have with outsiders?” I ask, a little confused.
“He didn’t share everything with us, but we will get to the bottom of this,” Vito reflects in a solemn tone.
“Don’t I fucking know it,” I huff.
“There is a matter that needs urgent attention tonight. The casino in town has had a few thefts, large sums of money stolen, we think an inside job.” Vito taps his phone to get information. “This footage is the only evidence we have.” He slides his phone over the desk to me.
I watch the small clip a few times before closing off the phone and handing it back. “We’ll deal with it.” I stand and indicate with my head for Dante, and Luca, to follow me.
“Fuck yes,” Dante jumps up, eager to get his hands dirty and have a little play tonight.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Luca nods in approval.
“Be careful boys.” Lorenzo stands and watches us leave the office.
***
&nb
sp; “Ready to cause some pain and have some fun.” I grin like a psycho just released from their hell.
“Are we ever.” Dante nods.
“What’s the plan tonight?” Luca scopes out the parking lot, adjusting his tie.
We are dressed in our finest designer suits, looking the part is important when you want your victim to take you seriously. Image packs a punch when the three of us, all over 6’4, stride through an establishment, wearing black Armani suits and a look of abhorrent determination.
“Watch and enjoy.” My jaw tenses as a rush of adrenaline coats my skin. I stride into the casino, the casino we own and watch the doorman’s eyes bulge in disbelief.
“Welcome, Mr. Russo,” he stutters.
I steal a glance at his badge. “Thank you, Kane, do you think you can do me a favor?”
“Most certainly, sir.” He stands to attention.
“Get your guys to lock all the doors and don’t let anyone out.” I watch his face fall, turning white for a moment before recovering. “And call me Enzo.” I grin at him and stride into the gaming lounge.
“Do you know where this fucker is?” Dante asks as he scans the large room.
“In the kitchen. Mitch sent through the footage from tonight, the chef has the thief, and his helpers, busy washing spuds.” I slide my phone into my back pocket, the grip of my gun brushing against my hand.
“Chef knives might come in handy. Can we slice him up?” Luca pats me on the shoulder, letting me know the security is all in place, ready to assist if need be.
“I don’t see why not.” I shrug as we burst through the kitchen doors. “Everyone out, now,” my voice booms over the chatter and clattering of dishes.
Luca, and Dante, circle the room, herding the innocents out.
I keep my gaze on the ringleader, he is mine to deal with, the other two are just here by association. I watch as his ashen face realizes the extent of his stupid actions and his eyes scan the room manically.
“Can’t get out now, you little punk.” I snarl at him as he backs up into the stove.
“All cleared,” Luca calls from across the kitchen.
I snap my gaze to the door where Luca is standing guard, one of our victims already on the floor at Luca’s feet. I watch Dante grab the other grub by the throat, lift him into the air and slam his head into the concrete wall, over and over, until he goes limp.
Vicious Enzo: A College Bully Romance (Verona Academy Book 2) Page 11