Chapter 72: Chapter Seventy Two

*Gabriela*

I go to say something, but he beats me to it first.

“When I was little I was always surrounded by people who loved each other. My parents, my grandparents. I never really knew my uncles and Enzo only ever came to my house when he was younger. My dad wasn’t like his brothers, and it showed. Nonno was more proud of him out of his sons, but he never admitted it.”

He sighs deeply looking up at the tree above us like he was trying to gather his thoughts. “The day they died; my whole world shattered. I was eight and my grandma was already sick and with losing his youngest child Nonno wasn’t in his right state of mind. So, I was ponded off to my uncles who took care of me back and forth. But their way of living was way harsher than the one I grew up in. I hated it. I grew angry and bitter, but Enzo was always there for me. No matter what.”

I stayed quiet, letting him tell me his story, not sure on why he was.

He then looks right at me with sorrowful eyes, yet determination too. “I love Enzo more than anything Gabby. Because of him I grew up more protected and loved than I could have hoped since my parents death. He wanted to make sure I didn’t end up like the rest of the family, no matter how much trouble I caused him he never left my side. He was always there for me.”

He looks away again. “Always got me out of trouble. But this…this is a major fuck up I don’t know how to get us out of. Including you, I’m sorry I got you into this mess. I’m sorry you’ve been stuck here because of me. And the worse thing is I have nothing to show for it.”

I unconsciously put my hand on his shoulder causing him to look over to me. I give a tentative smile. “I’ll admit the beginning of all this was wrong. Kidnapping me and all. But I don’t regret any of it Dom. I love Enzo more than anything too. I always have and because of what you did, it’s what finally brought us together. So, please don’t feel guilty on my account. I’m more worried about you in all this and going to my father isn’t the best choice. Enzo won’t let you; you know that.”

Rubbing the back of his head he looked indecisive. “I don’t know what else to do to get us all out of this situation. Now that Ivy is gone my leverage is basically nonexistent.”

I frown at him. “Why did Ivy leave so suddenly?”

He pursed his lips, brows furrowing again. “I caught her in the act, not once but twice. I hate myself for ever believing she could have loved me the way I had loved her.” He whispers.

Caught in the act? In what exactly?

“I rather not say what she did but what matters is I finally saw who she really was, and I didn’t like it one bit. So I forced her to leave last night.”

That caught me by surprise. He made her leave, Ivy Russo? The girl who refuses to allow anyone to force her to do anything, to listen to anybody who was against her in whatever she did? And since she slipped so quietly she didn’t even fight him on it? Curiosity overwhelms me now.

What exactly did he catch her doing that she agreed to just up and leave without making a scene about it? Sensing my uneasiness his shoulders relax and he gives the tiniest of smiles.

“Don’t worry. I stopped her from doing what she planned on doing before it got out of hand. I just wish I seen it sooner.”

“Why are you telling me all this, Dom?” I couldn’t help asking.

He shrugs, standing back up as he looks around once more. “I guess I felt like you were the kind of person I could talk too. Enzo loves you, you’re not a bad person even if you do carry the blood of a Russo. I’m seeing all different kinds of sides lately.”

He starts walking away, leaving me flabbergasted. He stops and turns back. “I’m sorry I misjudged you. And for what its worth, Gabby, I’m happy that Enzo has someone like you.”

And with that he walks away, not allowing me to say anything more.

I sit there for another good ten minutes before I was composed enough to head inside. The day was starting to get warmer and for the last few days I haven’t been feeling too well. It come and goes. I figured I haven’t been eating properly, not with everything that has been going on since the day at the restaurant. And now with the news of Ivy and why she left I couldn’t help worrying about her retaliation against Enzo’s cousin.

There was no way she was just going to let that slide. She may have went quietly but that didn’t mean she was just going to accept it. I knew her enough in the short amount of time just how vicious she could be. I lived through it for the last half a year.

As soon as I open the door I hear Papi Gio talking to someone. Frowning, I head towards the living room to see him on the house phone, sitting on the couch. Looking up as I walk in he waves me over and I couldn’t help smiling. It must have been Enzo who called and knowing that caused my heart to beat a little faster in my chest.

I couldn’t wait to hear his voice.

“No, of course he’s fine, Tesoro. Seems a little down but otherwise his normal self.”

I frown at the conversation. Who were they talking about?

I sit down at the other end of the couch waiting. He nods his head as he listens to whatever it was that Enzo was saying. “Apparently she left early this morning. Not a word to anyone and Domenico hasn’t said a word about it. I’m a little worried though. He was so hung up on her and now he’s acting like she never existed.”

Ah. Of course they were talking about him. It seemed odd to all of us on his behavior this morning, but after the talk with him I understood what was going on. I wait a few more minutes as they continue to talk and then he smiles.

“She’s sitting right here next to me waiting to talk to you, so I’m going to hand over the phone now. You be safe and watch your back, Tesoro.” He sounded serious at that last sentence, and I couldn’t help feeling a little on edge.

“Hm. I love you too, here she is.” He hands the receiver to me, and I gladly take it.

I give him a smile as he carefully stands up, pats my shoulder, and walks out of the room.

“Hey you.” I say with a smile to my voice.

I hear Enzo sighing following with, “I miss you already.”

I couldn’t help chuckling. “We were just together not twelve hours ago.”

“Twelve hours too long. Plus I can’t be back for another three days. It’s torture.” He moans dramatically.

My smile turns even bigger. “I overheard the two of you talking about your cousin.” I start off right away needing to tell him what I was told.

“Yeah. I’m worried about him. Especially learning that Ivy left early this morning without a word. What’s that all about?”

Sighing deeply I quickly tell him everything that was discussed with Domenico. He stayed silent on the other side telling me that he was taking what I was saying seriously. “Enzo, he told me that he plans to turn himself in to my father.”

“Over my dead fucking body he will. God damn it that kid.” He grouches sounding stressed.

“I tried to talk him out of it, but I don’t think I got through to him. It’s still a bit awkward talking to him.”

“I should come back. He’s unpredictable and without me talking some sense into him he’ll be stubborn enough to do it.”

“You shouldn’t do that. Maybe me or your grandfather can talk to him again, make him see reason.”

“He won’t listen. I’ll have to do it. Don’t worry. This is more important to me right now. My business can wait. Let Nonno know that I’ll be heading on the next available flight. Just make sure you keep Dom in your sights and don’t let him leave the property.”

“Okay. I love you.”

“I love you too, see you soon.”

With that he cuts the line and I couldn’t help feeling a little anxious and I didn’t understand why.