Page 42 of Vincenzo (The DiMaggio Crime Family #3)

VINCENZO

W hen Amalia and I get back to her condo, we pack everything she thinks she’ll need for the foreseeable future and head to the private airport where my pilot is waiting for us. I’m patting myself on the fucking back for paying him extra to stay in Miami until I was ready to fly back to NYC.

Amalia’s been quiet since we boarded the plane. Either looking like she’s deep in thought while staring out the window into the dark sky or anxiously checking her phone. She goes to check it again except this time her eyes widen.

“Did he finally text you?” I ask from my seat across from her.

Her eyes snap up to mine as if she’s surprised I’ve been watching her every move this entire time.

“Yeah,” she says, lowering her gaze back to her phone. “He said everything is fine, but Miami PD is doing an investigation.”

She pauses and continues reading as if another text came through.

“He said Diego didn’t have his security cameras recording, and when they questioned why our car was there, he said it was his rental. They didn’t bother fact checking that.”

“They’re not taking him in?” I ask.

Amalia types something on her phone. “I just asked.”

Only a few seconds go by before she’s reciting the words off her phone again. “He said he was able to get ahold of Chief Valdez who told them to let him go.”

I let out a breath of relief. I wasn’t sure how much sway he has over the chief of police, but it sounds like that’s the best alliance he’s made in his life at this point.

“Thank God,” she says, relaxing her shoulders and letting out a long breath. “I’ve never been so close to getting caught by the police before. All the men I’ve taken out have been meticulously planned and thought out by me, but this… this turned into a complete shit show.”

Another message must come through because Amalia’s eyes graze back and forth on her phone. A crinkle forms between her brows, and her shoulders fall forward.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, sitting up taller in my seat.

Shaking her head, she says, “Nothing. He just said he still wants me to stay away while they conduct the investigation. He thinks it would be safest to do so until the case is closed.”

I nod. “That makes sense.”

“Yeah.” She sits back in her seat and gazes back out the dark window.

Leaning forward, I place a hand on her thigh, and she brings her attention back to me. “I know this might not be exactly what you wanted, but it’s what we have to do to keep you safe for now. Once Armando gives us the go ahead, we can come back to Miami.”

Amalia gives me a few small nods. “Thank you, Enzo. I know I was kind of a pain in the ass to get out of there, but thank you… for everything. For flying down to Miami. For taking those guys out who attacked me. For helping me avenge my parents’ deaths.

For saving my life and getting me away from Diego’s house even when I didn’t want you to.

For putting my well-being before anything else. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

“There’s only one thing I want from you, Amalia, and that’s you .

I followed you down to Miami because I was worried about you.

I killed those guys because they touched what doesn’t belong to them.

I will always keep you safe because you’re mine , Amalia.

My love for you is so fucking deep that it won’t allow me to do anything else.

I will always put your wants and needs first because that’s what makes me happy.

I love you, and whether you like it or not, you’re fucking stuck with me. ”

Amalia giggles, the corners of her lips drawing up into a smile. The first one I’ve seen since before this chaotic night started.

“I love you too, Enzo, and you have me… But what about this whole Miami and New York City thing? Miami has always been my home, and New York City has always been yours. I don’t… It’s just a lot to consider. One of us will completely uproot their lives for the other. I can’t ask you to do that…”

“We have time to figure it out, and we’ll do it together.”

Amalia gives me a small nod, then yawns.

“You should get some rest. We’re still a couple hours out from NYC.”

She gives me another nod and snuggles into her chair. It’s not long before her breaths even out, letting me know she’s asleep.

No matter what Amalia chooses, I’m going to be there with her.

Because from this point forward, Amalia is my life, and if that means talking to Teo and figuring out what I need to do, then so be it.

I’ll miss my family and the work we do, but Amalia is my future.

She’s my priority. And there’s no going back.