Page 93 of Enzo

I stood up and wrapped my arms around her. “I’m sorry.”

I should have known better than to open my mouth and bring up chemo. We remained in an embrace for several moments before she pulled away, waving her hand.

“Nothing to be sorry about. I was being silly, that’s all.”

Except, I didn’t think I was.

Papà was on a conference call when I entered his office. I turned to leave.

“Stay, princess.” My eyes darted to the phone, and he elaborated, “I’m on mute.”

I headed toward the desk, taking a seat across from him while urgent voices filled the room. I recognized Uncle Cassio’s voice as well as a few others, all of them speaking in code. It was their way to ensure safety in case the lines were compromised.

“Is everything okay?”

Papà nodded. “Yes. We just learned that Atticus and his daughter Nicki are dead.”

My brow furrowed. Papà kept me out of the business, but I knew the main players, and I’d never heard those names.

“Were they important?”

He tapped his pen against his desk. “Yes, but it also puts us on alert.”

“Why?”

Uncle Cassio’s voice came through the speakerphone, interrupting our side conversation. “Luca… hello, are you there?”

Papà tapped the device. “Sorry, I hit mute by accident.”

Someone snickered. “You’re getting old, man.”

A round of chuckles followed and I couldn’t help but grin.

“Can you get some information from Marchetti, Luca?” Uncle’s voice was all business.

“Which one? There’re so many.”

I shot him a scolding look.

“Funny,” Uncle Cassio grumbled. “Your son-in-law. He’s running Marchetti operations now.”

“I can, but not sure why he’d know anything.”

Uncle Cassio let out a frustrated breath. “Because Nico tells me Enzo was picked up on satellites in the same geographical area as the two deceased. West Africa.”

My mouth fell open and my eyes shot to my papà. He muted the line. “Why is Enzo there?”

“I don’t know.”

“Have you talked to him since he left?”

“Yeah, we’ve texted. He said his reception was shoddy…” I trailed off, catching the look of interest in my father’s eyes.

“Well, did he say why he’s there?”

“No, and I didn’t ask.”

“Why not?”