Page 22 of The Enforcer

10Alfonso

When I walk backinto the living room, Salvo is standing behind Shae’s chair, one hand on her shoulder and the other running through his hair.

“Salvo.” Everyone turns to me, but I focus on him. “We need to speak.”

“We’re listening,” Zoe responds. She’s sexy but not that sexy. I nod my head toward the bedroom and give Giulio a meaningful look to communicate that he should join us.

“Rude,” Zoe says, as Giulio’s chair scrapes and Salvo whispers to Shae that he won’t be gone long.

“Only you would think to antagonize the big bruiser,” Shae says.

“I think I can take him,” Zoe replies.

And I can’t help it. I turn toward her with a smile on my face. “Anytime,” I tell her. “All you have to do is ask.”

She rolls her eyes and bites back a smile.

“Who called you?” Salvo asks as soon as the bedroom door is closed.

I tell him quickly about Tommaso’s phone call.

As I speak, Giulio becomes agitated. “They’re making a move,” he says.

“And who exactly is ‘they’?” Salvo asks. “That’s the only thing that matters.”

“Is it Flavia’s family? Again?” Giulio asks.

Salvo shakes his head, but he doesn’t answer.

“While you’ve been on your honeymoon, I’ve been working.” I don’t need to elaborate.

“Without me?” he looks offended.

I roll my eyes and brush those words away.

“Still,” he says. “You could have invited me.” He actually sounds offended.

“It’s not Flavia’s family,” Salvo says, getting us back on track.

“Could it be the Ginetti family?”

“Of course. It could be any of my enemies. It could be any of my allies.”

“But why go after Flavia?” I ask.

Giulio and I wait while he considers the question. He walks around the room, his hands behind his back. This is his thinking pose. While Salvo is a normally patient man, I once saw him break someone’s nose for interrupting him while he was deep in thought. It’s been years, but it’s the kind of thing that you only need to see once to learn a lesson. Even for me.

“If I were making this move,” Salvo eventually says, “I’d go after Flavia for one of two reasons. One, if I wanted to cripple me; or two, if I wanted to legitimize myself.”

“Didn’t you marry her to legitimize yourself?” Giulio asks.

Salvo scoffs. “Hopefully, whoever is coming for me learned from my mistake.”

“So, you think it’s the first one?” I ask.

“I think I don’t know enough to be sure, but I know who will.” He turns to me. “Call Tommaso. Tell him I’m coming for a visit.”

I nod, already reaching for my phone.