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He chuckled. “I guess so. You know. I never would have thought you DEA. I knew you had some hidden talents, but not that.”

“A long time ago.”

“Yeah, I heard what they did. Pricks. You should have killed more of the motherfuckers.”

Sighing, we caught each other’s gaze and laughed. “I did a little of that. They got the point.”

“I heard that too. Sorry about Gio.”

“Not going to lie, it surprised me.”

Dion grinned. “I guess there’s been a lot of that since I was laid up. Carmella says you’re good to her and the kid.”

“She’s… amazing. She’s the one who’s been good to me.”

“I think you two are good together.” Dion hesitated and I allowed him the time to reflect. “You know, I was pissed. I ain’t gonna lie, but it all worked out.”

I nodded, hating the awkwardness between us. “You healthy?”

“The doctors said I was lucky, but good as new. So, I was thinking. I’d like my job back. The way I look at it, you need another man you can trust and I need a job. What do you think?”

There was such a thing as an innate trust in a person. I had that with Dion. I walked closer, holding out my hand. “You think you can stand working for me?”

“I think I can stomach it.” We shook. “Just so you know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Carmella. That woman loves you.”

“And I love her very much.”

“You hurt her, you die. I don’t care who you are. Got it?”

I grinned. “I got it. Welcome back.”

* * *

Enzo continued to hurt deep inside. He’d been withdrawn, incapable of expressing his feelings. While I’d given him time to adjust to the horrific changes in his life, at some point he needed to take the helm of the family. I’d been made his guardian until he reached the age of eighteen, something I hadn’t been told initially.

He acted as if he needed no one, which was exactly what I’d done after my father had died. It had only been later on in life that I’d realized how lonely I’d been. I wasn’t living in the Santorelli household, but I kept tabs on him and his continued anger.

Something had told me to stop by the house on my way to visit Don Lupini. I wasn’t certain why. Everything appeared in order, Enzo finally heading back to the private school his father had enrolled him in at twelve.

I couldn’t imagine sending either Jessica or Gabriel to school even sixty miles away let alone several states. At least the kid hadn’t been forced to spend his youth overseas.

With Enzo nowhere in sight, I was about to leave when Dion walked into Don Santorelli’s old office.

“You might not believe this, boss, but Enzo is asking for you.”

I lifted my head, almost amused at the prospect. “Where is he?”

“In the conservatory.”

The location was a glorified gazebo turned into a music room for Enzo years prior. At least that’s what I’d been told. I’d never seen the young man sitting behind a piano or had heard any music, but then again, I hadn’t been able to pay but so much attention.

“We’re leaving as soon as I’m finished,” I told him.

“I’ll be waiting. Boss.”

I took a few seconds before heading to the French doors leading to the stone patio directly outside. The conservatory was only fifty yards away. I could see the building from where I was standing.

After another minute had passed, I walked outside. Spring had arrived in New York, flowers and buds just beginning to pop out on certain trees. I didn’t take three steps before I heard music. Piano music.