“I don’t need to know who you are,” Enzo continues. “I’m a Marino. If I want you dead, that’s the way it will be.”
Even in Johnston’s precarious position, his eyes widen with recognition.
“Now quit being a pussy, stand up like a man, and apologize.”
Johnston follows the direction, bringing his mangled hand to his chest immediately, his eyes whirling with anger and blood dripping down the side of his face.
And I feel…thankful. Nobody has ever stood up for me the way Enzo does. Repeatedly, he’s proven he cares. And I know Uncle T will be upset this happened, but when I’m with Enzo, it’s becoming difficult to care about what my uncle thinks.
Let this be a lesson to him. This is what happens when he doesn’t take care of his “best assets” properly.
Enzo presses the gun to Johnston’s head. “Did you not hear me? Apologize.”
Johnson clears his throat. “Sorry.”
I smile, cupping my ear like I’m trying to hear him better. “I couldn’t quite hear you, Johnston. Better speak up.”
“I said I’m sorry.”
“For?” I quirk a brow and cross my arms.
Enzo smirks.
“Say it.” Enzo pushes the barrel against the back of his dome. “Say, ‘I’m sorry, Venesa, for being acunt.’”
Johnston grits his teeth and nods. “I’m sorry.” He wipes the blood dripping into his eye from where he was pistol-whipped. “For being a…”
I walk up close to him, fire dancing in my eyes, no longer afraid. “Acunt, Johnston.”
Johnston’s nostrils flare and his chin lifts, retribution burning in his gaze.
Enzo prods him with the barrel of his gun.
“I’m sorry for being a cunt, Venesa.”
Nodding, I place a hand over my heart. “Thank you, sugar. That really means a lot.”
Enzo chuckles and puts his gun down, like he’s not concerned in the slightest about retaliation. Like even though we’re surrounded by weapons and Johnston has four of his guys standing on the other side of the building, he knows he won’t be touched.
And most likely, he’s right. It would be a death sentence to touch the prince of the Italian Mafia.
Enzo looks at me. “You got everything you need? We’re leaving.”
Normally, I’d want to argue. But I’m so ready to get out of here that I nod and follow his direction, letting him lead me around the corner and to the front of the docks, past Johnson’s men.
Again, Enzo acts like he’s not concerned in the slightest.
And the way they’re all staring at him with disquiet makes me think something happened before he got to me.
It isn’t until we’re in the car, onewithout Scottydriving this time, and all the way back to the Lair, that he speaks.
“You good?” He jerks his chin at me.
I lick my lips and bob my head, and his gaze drops to follow the motion of my tongue.
“I can take care of myself,” I say, the same way I always do.
He reaches out to grip my chin, tilting my face up to meet his. “I know. But just because youcandoesn’t mean you should have to.”
