“Sorry about him,” Jesse said after a few quiet moments had passed, and Carter must’ve handed him the phone and left. “He’s upset the Agency got to him before we did.”
“Why are you working with only half a team?” I asked.
“We had to divide and conquer for our current op, which we hate doing, but we have another lead for our case, so my other team leader is handling that with some of our crew,” he explained.
I looked at my brothers and Hudson, and they were now discussing something out of earshot. “We’ve got you covered,” I promised, and then I shared with Jesse the news that the hit that morning had been tied to Maria’s ex.
I ended the call after exchanging a few more words, my stomach turning at the idea I’d be infiltrating a CIA safe house and leaving Maria tonight. What if something went wrong? The CIA officers sure as hell wouldn’t use rubber bullets.
“We’ll leave after dinner,” Constantine said, facing me now. “Let’s not tell Mom and Izzy. They don’t need to know about this. Not yet anyway.”
Izzy. Guilt burned down my throat at the memory of her words. “Yeah, I guess,” I hesitantly agreed, unsure if leaving my sister in the dark again would only make things worse for our relationship, but at the same time, why would I want to burden her with the painful truth if I could avoid it a bit longer?
“I guess this means Pablo lives to see another day,” Hudson remarked in a gravelly tone.
“We’ll deal with that problem when we get back,” Constantine bit out, then motioned for the door.
Instead of following them out, I went over to the window and set a palm to the glass, my thoughts racing. I still couldn’t grasp the idea someone Bianca knew would want to hurt her. But I’d never thought Thomas would come after me, either, and . . .
“People in love do crazy things,” I said at the memory of my words earlier to Maria about her ex. “Did you love someone, Bianca?” And if so, why’d they want to kill you?
TWENTY-TWO
Maria
The dining room table was covered in platters and dishes, and everything smelled amazing. Not that I could take credit for anything other than the salad. I was pretty sure Mrs. Costa didn’t trust my culinary skills.
At the feel of a warm body behind me, I closed my eyes, knowing it was Enzo. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me tight to his frame, setting his chin on top of my head. “You okay?”
I wasn’t sure how much time we had alone before everyone joined us, so I shared my wine-induced thoughts. “Your mom hates me.”
“No way. She loves you.” He was quick to respond, but he wasn’t in the kitchen while his mom had given me the third degree, and I’d nearly caved to the pressure and shared the real reason we were in New York.
“All I know is that she doesn’t want me with you.” Not that she said that, but that’d been the vibe.
He turned me around and snatched my cheeks. “She doesn’t want me with you, that’s the issue. You’re a Romano, remember? My parents promised to protect you and Natalia. That’s all. And she thinks I’ll break your heart.” Worry lines cut across his forehead, and then he frowned. “My sister thinks the same.”
“She told you that?” I lifted my brows in surprise.
He let go of me and backed away, his eyes going to the entranceway as if checking to ensure we were still alone. “I came to see you earlier, and I overheard her talking to you. She doesn’t think I love her.”
Before I could respond, Isabella and her boyfriend came into the room, along with Mrs. Costa. “Looks like your dad will be late. He said to eat without him.”
Enzo let go of a deep, gruff breath. He must’ve been eager to talk to his father and let him know what was going on. Given his father’s past, maybe he could help.
“This is Pablo,” Isabella introduced him, and Pablo stepped forward, taking a bit too long in admiring my dress, and before I knew it, Enzo stepped around me, blocking my view of Isabella’s boyfriend.
“Your ears aren’t the only thing you’re in danger of losing,” Enzo sharply warned, and Isabella grabbed Pablo’s arm.
“He’s an artist. He’s just admiring beauty, and Maria is stunning.” Isabella’s excuse didn’t seem to do anything for Enzo, so I came by his side and gave Enzo a gentle nudge, hoping to redirect his focus.
“My girl is right.” Pablo smiled. “She’s an understanding woman. I paint women in the nude all the time. It’s just art.” He held open his palms as his gaze took a slow journey over my body again. “I’d love to—”