Page 13 of The Prices We Pay

“Paintballing,” Luca interjects.

“Right. Paintballing.”

Joe’s eyes flash to the holster on Enzo’s hip so fast that a normal person probably wouldn’t have noticed. She doesn’t react to the fact that he’s carrying a weapon and instead meets his stare once more. She raises her eyebrows and gives us all a look that lets us know she sees right through our bullshit. “You were paintballing?”

Enzo nods. “Yup. Forgot my car keys. Had to come up and get them before we went home.”

“The CEO, COO, and head of security of a multibillion-dollar company went paintballing… in New York City… at eleven o’clock at night… on a Wednesday?”

“Suuuuure did.”

She looks up at me. But if she’s trying to get someone to crack, she should keep her stare on the idiot smiling like a damn clown in front of her. Crossing my arms over my chest, I raise a brow and stare back at her. Knowing I’m not going to budge, she turns her focus to Enzo, staring at him inquisitively.

Smart choice.

“Where’s the paint?”

“What paint?” Enzo asks.

“Your clothes are spotless. If you went paintballing, where’s the paint?”

“Oh, we’re just really good. You should see the other guys,” Enzo says dismissively.

“Then—”

“Leave it alone, Josephine,” Luca bites out.

Slowly, Joe moves her eyes from Enzo to Luca, and the two of them stay like that for a moment.Their stares fill the room with so much heat that it feels like the temperature has risen ten degrees.

Realizing it’s not her place, Joe relents and raises her hands. “Consider it dropped.”

Enzo stands and reaches his hand out for her to grab. She looks at it reluctantly for a moment before grabbing it and standing as well. “What are you even doing here so late anyway?” he asks.

“Just wanted to get all of my ducks in a row before I get my new computer tomorrow. Clara said that as long as I didn’t leave and try to come back, I wouldn’t set off any alarms.” She looks down at her outfit before adding, “I learned a long time ago to keep some comfy clothes on hand.”

Enzo and I smile, though mine isn’t quite as dopey as his, yet Luca remains stoic.

“And the music?” She tilts her head at Enzo’s question. “It’s just not something I would have pictured you listening to,” he clarifies.

“You can take the girl out of Montana…” she answers. “Tell anyone I listen to country music, though, and I might have to kill you.” She jokingly points at the three of us.

Hmmm… I’d like to see you try, Mama.

“Did you eat dinner?” I ask her.

Her face softens as her pale blue eyes shine in my direction. “I did. Ordered takeout from down the street before the building locked up for the night.”

“Brava ragazza,” Luca mumbles next to me, soft enough that I’m the only one who heard him.

His phone chimes again. This time, he pulls it out of his pocket. “Seb?” I ask.

“Yeah. We should probably get home.”

“The four of you live together?” Out of everything that’s been said in the last five minutes, this is the thing that surprises her.

“Sure do, Sweetheart. Should come over sometime.” Enzo hits her with a devious wink.

“Enz,” Luca groans, rubbing his hand down his face in exasperation.