“Two guns? Now I can truly feel the love,” I gush. Enzo grabs the back of my neck and pulls me closer to him. His lips crash into mine and melt into his arms. We stay like this for a long time until the car comes to a stop.
“Thank fuck. Thought you two were gonna fuck on the seat,” Preacher grumbles. I flip him off as we all unload from the cars. Enzo’s men aren’t far behind us but I killed his dad’s security feed before we left the house. We have the element of surprise on our side now.
We walk up the steps, Enzo stopping once to glance behind him, nodding his head at Preacher. I know that’s his way of telling him he better protect his sister. My heart swells as Tino steps up next to me on the right. Glancing up at him, he smiles down at me.
“What?”
“You always wanted me to be a fighter.”
“No, I always knew you had a place out there somewhere. Now you know your place,” I remind him.
“I’m not sure how all this works, Tessa.”
“You don’t have to. You have a family now. We will work this out together,” Enzo chimes in breaking our moment. Just the way he said it makes my heart leap into my throat. Tino deserves this. He deserves so much more than what he had to start with. I’m happy and yet a little on edge about knowing him and Enzo are brothers. I don’t have time to think about it when the door flies open and there in front of us stands their father. There is no mistaking who he is.
“What the fuck is this?” He roars as his men come to a stop behind him. Looks like he was on his way out.
“Where are you off to, father? To meet with Rozano?” Enzo asks. His hand leaves mine and I know what that means. He’s ready.
“What are you talking about? I have no idea where he is. That was your job to find him! One of which you have failed at,” he says before his eyes fall on Tino. “What…where…”
“Striking resemblance isn’t it?” I ask. I watch as he slowly drags his eyes to meet mine. An evil grin tugs at his lips as he glares at me.
“Well, well, well. Miss Rozano. I didn’t realize I’d be in the company of a princess today.” My heart stops in my chest. What did he just say?
“Do not call her that! She is not his daughter!” Enzo roars.
“But I’m yours,” Gaia speaks up stepping forward. Everything seems to be spinning in slow motion. Did he really call me that? Could he be my father? No, no he wouldn’t have done this to me, to us. My mother would have told me. She wouldn’t have let him hurt us that way. I had a father. It wasn’t him.
“You…how are you here?” his father roars.
“Why you would want me dead is a better question,” she asks stepping closer. Preacher mirrors each one of her movements, staying right next to her.
“You! You’re involved in this too?” He growls as he points at Preacher. Surprisingly Preacher stays quiet.
“What the hell is happening here, Lorenzo?” All eyes turn to him. Even mine.
“You tried to have her killed, why?”
“She is nothing in this world. Not like you! Women aren’t needed! She wouldn’t marry as she was told. She was an inconvenience,” he says as if it’s not a big deal. Preacher starts to step forward but Gaia grabs his arm holding him back.
“And your son?” Enzo asks nodding toward Tino.
“My son. It’s been so long since I’ve said those words.”
“Why?” Tino asks pleadingly.
“Your mother was nothing in this world. I couldn’t have a bastard running around. Once you turned back up with her, I knew I had to have you taken care of! Turns out no one can do their jobs!” Anger crosses his features but he doesn’t make any move to act on it.
“Why are you trying to have her killed?” Before anyone can question him further, I pull the gun from the back of my jeans, aim and fire. Enzo’s father falls quickly. It isn’t long before his men begin firing back. I don’t remember much more than being knocked to the ground and hitting my head. I don’t know how long I lay here in a daze before all the sounds stop. Not until I feel her.
“Ania?”
“What are you doing to yourself?” She asks. I shake my head trying to get her face to come into focus but it’s blurry.
“How are you here?” I ask. She shakes her head, her long dark hair falling over her shoulders.
“Stop this, Tessa. Stop all of this!”
“Tessa?”
“Ania?”
“Tessa, open your eyes,” I hear Gaia saying. Slowly I blink my eyes and her face comes into view. She gives me a soft smile before yelling over her shoulder, “She’s awake!”
“Gaia? What happened?”
“You hit your head. Pretty hard too. Actually my idiot brother is to blame for this.” Her smile is infectious as I grab at my head. It pounds and things swirl when I hear sirens.
“Where is he? Where is Enzo?” I ask almost in a panic.
“He’s fine. He’s just over there. Calm down,” she says soothingly.
“Tino?”
“Also fine. They called an ambulance for you.” I start to shake my head and try to push myself up when she stops me. Everything moves, it all spins and I can’t focus.
“Stay down,” I hear Enzo growl.
“Fuck off,” I mutter.
“Tell me that later.” He leans down next to me as I let my eyes fall closed once more scooping me into his arms. Carrying me, I inhale the scent of him. I can’t get enough of that smell. It calms me, soothes me in ways that nothing else can.
“I’m coming with,” I hear Tino say.
“Tino?” Blinking my eyes, I see him through the fog in my head.
“I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I need you both,” I whisper hoping they both heard me before the fog creeps in thicker and pulls me under.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Enzo
“How does all of this work?” Tino asks as I lean back in my chair and wait.
“You’re done with her. There will be nothing else between the two of you,” I inform him.
“I already knew that part. I meant us,” he says gesturing between himself and me. That’s a tough question now that my father is dead.
“We need to figure things out but you aren’t a part of this world, at least you haven’t been. I will teach you, show you the ropes.” If I had to have a right hand man I wouldn’t mind it being family.
“I’ll do whatever you say,” he adds.
“It isn’t about that, Valentino. It’s about more than that. As my brother you have my respect, my loyalty but to be a part of this world, you have to earn your place. A name is a given but the fact that you weren’t born here, amongst us diminishes that a little. We will work to establish your place next to me if that’s what you decide.” His eyes widen slightly as he nods his head.
“What about me?” When I hear her voice I turn to look at the girl lying in bed.
“And you, Tessa are going to be at my other side. My Queen.” She snorts a laugh that makes me smile. Tino chuckles before moving toward her, leaning down and pressing his lips to the top of her head.