Page 24 of Single Malt Drama
I wrapped my arms around her frail shoulders and kissed her puffy white hair. “I’ll gladly take them all on to keep her safe.”
Pulling away, she wiped her eyes. “I can’t believe how fast you boys have grown up. It seems like yesterday you and Dante were running around in diapers getting into trouble.”
“Hey now, no stories about what a handful I was. You’ll ruin my reputation as the good one of the bunch.”
She smiled. “I should go see about saving dinner.”
“Thanks for understanding. You might be the only one who does.” I settled back against the chair and closed my eyes. My leg had gone from searing pain to a dull ache. Plus, the events of the previous couple of days were catching up with me. Five minutes of shut eye would help take the edge off.
No such luck.
Enzo walked outside. Wide-eyed, pale-faced, and running his hands over his head like a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown. “It would have been nice to have a little warning that you invited Nico to stay here.”
“I planned to, but we started talking about the security footage. Then Shanna showed up.”
“And after that?”
Rather than try to bullshit him, I told the God’s honest truth. “I wussed out, and she showed up early. Where are the women?”
Enzo narrowed his eyes “Shanna took Nico upstairs to find some clean clothes. Why is she here?”
I told him the entire story, except for my plan and the ring in my pocket. “The last place anyone will look for her is with the person she’s being forced to marry.”
Enzo asked the same questions Shanna had about Nico’s behavior in Sicily. I’d answered them so many times, I spoke on autopilot.
He seemed to take it all in. “And you’re sure the Lazios don’t know she’s here?”
“They tore the plane apart and didn’t find her.”
He nodded and frowned again. “Maria and Alessio are safe?”
“They’re in Canton with Maria’s sister. Nico set them up with a fat nest egg.”
“That was good of her.”
“Believe it or not, she has a big heart.” Movement in the corner of my eye drew my attention. I turned and took in the most stunning site I’d ever seen.
Nico stood in the kitchen wearing a pair of shorts and tank top. She’d pulled her long dark hair into a high ponytail that showed off the long graceful curve of her neck. Without a speck of makeup, primping, or designer clothes, she stole my breath.
Enzo sighed. “If I didn’t know it was her, I wouldn’t recognize her.”
“That’s because you don’t know her.” Not like I do.