Dante envelops me in a hug. “I’m happy for you both. I knew it. I told Che.”
I’m surprised but don’t hesitate to hug Cesare back. “Congratulations, to you both.” Cesare guides me onto the love seat as he sits in one of the club chairs. “In complete disclosure, I advised Enzo against getting involved with you.” A hand goes up. “You might not be aware Enzo has a history of doing exactly what I tell him not to, except in business, and sometimes even then he doesn’t listen. From the beginning I thought you are an excellent fit for Enzo. I’m sincerely happy Enzo pulled his head out of his ass and picked someone who is his equal and cares more for him than his money.”
“Why does he always do the opposite of what you say?”
A single shoulder goes up. “I’m not sure if it’s simply being the older brother or what.”
“Or maybe how when Dad was gone, you stepped right into his shoes without hesitation,” Dante murmurs. “I was used to it but Enzo, not so much.”
“I had no idea.” Cesare frowns.
“Come on, Che. He only said ‘you aren’t Dad’ about a dozen times a week. I was relieved when he went into the Army because I wasn’t sure how much longer we could all last in a one-bedroom apartment without some bones getting broken.”
His frown deepens. “I was only—”
“I know, he does too. Now I think it’s habit more than anything else.”
“Regardless, I wanted to be honest with you in case Enzo said something.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it. I’m wondering what your uncle and cousin’s response will be.”
“What about Tony and Dominic?” Cesare’s eyes narrow.
I tell him about the dinner and what Dominic said. Cesare and Dante share a look; I wish I knew what it meant.
“Don’t worry about Tony and Dominic. I’ll talk to them.”
“I just want Enzo—”
“Hey, like Che said, don’t worry about Tony and Dominic. They’re cautious, it’s in their DNA. Me and Che know you better than they could have gotten out of one dinner. Now, can you do me a favor and go see Bethany today? She’s dying to see your—he didn’t give you a ring yet? That’s not like Enzo.”
Remembering the ring I sent back to him by messenger service, I still don’t dare tell them Enzo asked once before. “It’s not a big deal. Are you sure you don’t need me?”
“You’re good. Enzo said he had you scheduled for a meeting with a lawyer pretty soon anyway. Try not to take offense on the prenup, if he didn’t have one, he’d never hear the end of it from his investors. It really is just bu
siness.”
“It’s not a big deal. Thanks.” And I mean it. I’m not offended by the prenup, but I am worried Enzo might try and get sneaky with it.
***
Enzo
I bring the meeting to an end. Finally the fire is officially out, and I’m not going to lose eighty-seven million dollars because of human error. A few messages are waiting, but none of them what I’m waiting for. I return the only one I want to.
“Enzo, congratulations on your engagement. You chose well in Ms. Hutchins. She’ll give you many beautiful children and even more gray hair, and both will make you less miserable. Dominic safe from a bloody nose now?”
“For now.”
Tony laughs. “Excellent, blood ruins silk.”
“So you’ll be attending this wedding?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Hanging up, I wonder if it was what he and Dominic said that had Chloe changing her mind. I doubt it. It wasn’t until I told her I would sell the house that her attitude changed. Actually, it was right before that, when she blew my damn mind by going down on me in the foyer with a basement full of people. My cock jumps all over again at the memory of how fucking good her mouth was, the way she hummed in pleasure, the smell of—enough. Any more and I’ll be ready to come just thinking of it.
Pauline bangs into my office. “What did you do?”