Page 77 of The Bonventi Secret

His words hit me like a punch to the gut.

Am I scared?

The thought had never crossed my mind. I'm Enzo Bonventi. I don't get scared.

But as I stand there, facing my brothers, I realize Marco's right. I am scared. Scared of being vulnerable, of being hurt. Scared of letting someone in so completely that they have the power to destroy me.

"Fuck," I mutter, collapsing back into my chair.

Gio leans forward, his face serious. "Look, Zo, I don't know what she did, but if she's been faithful, there's a way. I mean, I've never seen you like this over a woman before. That's gotta mean something. Don't throw it away without a fight."

I nod, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Anger, fear, love, confusion. It's all there, battling for dominance.

"Wow, Gio, coming from you, it's almost poetic," Marco says, laughing.

"Fuck you," Gio says.

"Maybe you're right, but it's too late."

"What do you mean?" Gio asks.

"I've had Marcella order someone to pack up her things."

"You what?" Marco asks, his voice sharp.

Gio leans forward, his cigar forgotten in his hand. "Are you out of your fucking mind, Zo?"

I clench my jaw, feeling a surge of defensiveness. "She broke my trust. There are consequences."

"Consequences?" Marco says. "This isn't some business deal gone wrong, Enzo. This is the woman you love."

"You think I don't know that?" I snap. "You think this is easy for me?"

"Then why are you doing it?" Gio asks. "Why push her away like this?"

I run my hands over my face, feeling the stubble that's grown over the past few days. "Because, because it's easier than facing her. Than dealing with this mess."

"Easier? Since when do you take the easy way out, Enzo? That's not the brother I know." Marco says.

Bastard is right.

"He's right, Zo," Gio chimes in. "If you're done with her, man up and talk to her. Tell her to her face. Don't hide behind Marcella and some faceless maid packing her shit."

Shit. He's right, too.

"Dammit, what the hell am I doing?"

"Being reactive to feelings, bro," Marco says.

"Okay, say I change my mind now. What if I can't forgive her? What if this changes everything?"

Gio snorts. "Of course it changes everything. That's what relationships do, you idiot. They change you, they challenge you. The question is, are you man enough to face those changes?"

"Seriously, who the fuck is this guy," Marco says, pointing at Gio, "Mr. take-home-any-girl-from-the-club is suddenly Romeo."

We all laugh, and it feels good. I haven't smiled since my fight with Livia.

"You're right," I say, standing. "I'll talk to her. I'll?—"