Page 75 of The Bonventi Hitman

"What can I do to help?" Lydia asks.

I don't have time to question her loyalty; Enzo hasn't given me that luxury.

The metallic smell of blood mixed with spilled whiskey fills my nostrils, and every second brings Enzo closer to discovering what I've done.

What I did for Sofia.

We work quickly, Lydia cleaning while I roll Luca's body in the carpet. I drag him to the closet, shoving him behind my hanging clothes.

If Enzo opens this door, I'm dead.

Over the next few minutes, we work in silence, with Lydia visibly wanting to ask questions but refraining.

"Okay, given the time, I think we've done all we can. Do you see anything we missed?" I ask, breathing deeply.

Lydia looks around the room. "No, sir. I think we've managed to do our best."

I nod.

Best better be good enough, or we're both dead.

"Alright, go get him. Say you found me sleeping in the office."

"Okay," she says, leaving with the small wastebasket filled with bits of glass and her cleaning towels.

I examine myself, adjusting my clothes to hide any signs of violence. My hands are stiff from strangling Luca. That familiar ache will last days.

I know from experience.

Had I overreacted?

Should I just have…

No! It was worth it.

Iknewhe had hit her and treated her like shit. The bastard couldn’t stop running his mouth about how his mistress was a brainless slut—like he was God’s gift to the world. Hell, he was always running his mouth about everything. Whispering secrets to his mistresses, pissing off guys in other families. Even Enzo had him on a damn leash. His days were numbered, and everyone knew it. But me? I tried. I fucking tried to give him a chance to do something decent for once in his miserable life. And what does he do? Blows it.

I take one final glance around and ready myself for the performance of a lifetime. I've never been in such a squeeze like this before.

I crack the door, listening for approaching footsteps. When I hear them, I step back and force a smile as Enzo enters.

"Gabriel, sorry for the unannounced visit," he says.

"No worries." I hope he doesn't hear the tremors in my voice. "What brings you by?"

He steps closer, eyes narrowing as they scan the room. "Is everything alright? You seem..."

"Just tired. Long night at the warehouse."

His gaze falls to the empty floor. "What happened to your carpet?"

Shit

"Oh, that? I—I spilled wine. Lydia took it in for cleaning."

He nods, studying the area. After a few moments, he finally turns his attention back to me.

"About the warehouse—I heard from Nikolas the shipment arrived in full. Thanks to you and Luca for handling that."