Chapter 74: Chapter Seventy Four

*Enzo*

As soon as we landed I didn’t take any time in rushing back to my grandfather's ranch. Throughout the entire plane ride I couldn’t help thinking about my father’s visit before I left. Couldn’t get what Domenico was planning to do or the fact that Ivy may have done something that could very well get us all killed.

Charlie was quiet along with me, doing something on his laptop that I couldn’t see. Whatever it was he was typing like crazy and kept humming to himself like he agreed with whatever he kept following up on. I would ask him, but he was more secretive than I was when it came to the things he does on his gadgets.

It wasn’t until we turned into the long driveway did he put it away. As soon as the car came to a stop I instantly got out, round to the trunk and retrieved my bag, Charlie right beside me doing the same. We take a couple of steps before the front door swings open, and the love of my life comes rushing out looking like the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

In light blue washed out tight jeans and a white tee, hair in a high ponytail with a few stubborn strands curling around her face and neck she was a pure vision to behold. We just saw each other yesterday but it felt like weeks already. Dropping my bag I catch her into my arms holding her tight to me as soon as she was in arms reach.

“I missed you.” She whispers against my lips in a breathy whisper.

I couldn’t help smiling knowing I missed her just as much. I lean in and kiss her with everything I had until someone clears their throat to get our attention. Releasing her, I slowly put her back on her feet and intertwine our fingers together. Looking up I see my grandpa waiting for us in the doorframe of his home.

“Weren’t you supposed to be gone for entire week?” His eyebrow raises as he stares at me.

I couldn’t help giving a sheepish grin only making him shake his head. I didn’t want to waste any time as I ask, “Where’s Dom?”

That immediately got his attention. His brows furrow as he asks, “Why? What’s going on with that boy now?”

I nearly roll my eyes but refrain from doing the action. “Nothing. I just want to make sure he was doing alright with everything that happened yesterday. That’s all.”

I didn’t want Nonno to know what Gabby had told me earlier. He was already having heat problems, and this would only cause him more stress than needed. We all walk inside, and I allow Charlie to take my bag from me and head up the stairs. Heading to the living room I look around.

“So where is he?”

“He’s out in the fields checking the crops for me. Seemed he needed to be alone for a little while and get out of his head.” Nonno groans as he sits back down and takes a deep breath.

“How are you feeling?” I ask skeptically, looking at his posture and facial expressions for any signs of fatigue and whether or not he was really doing alright.

He waves me off like he always does when I ask him about his health. “I’m fine, just a little tired. Taking the day off from the fields which is why Dom’s out there now.”

Hearing him say that eased the worry off my shoulders, relief flooding through me. At least the old man wasn’t being stubborn about taking a break every now and then from his work. I was glad he decided that on his own.

“So, what’s going on. Be honest with me Tesoro. You didn’t just come back here the next day after leaving because you missed us. You’re worried about him, why?”

Nothing could ever get past him. I was hoping his old age made him a little less preceptive. Apparently I was wrong on that account. Sighing deeper than he did just moments ago I release Gabby’s hand and sit down next to him on the couch.

“You’re right. I didn’t just come back for that reason. I’m worried about him. He hasn’t been acting the same since he found out the truth about Ivy, and I know you know because you always find a way to know everything, especially under your own roof.”

He doesn’t say anything to that which tells me I was right. I wait a moment to gather my thoughts and figure out how he was going to react to my next statement. He was overprotective when it came to the two of us. So, I wasn’t sure what kind of scene it was going to cause.

“Dom plans to turn himself in to Russo.”

Once the words were out of my mouth he snaps out of his seat and starts shaking his head furiously. “He absolutely will not do a damn stupid fool thing like that. Not while I’m alive.”

His face was turning a bit red from his sudden anger, Gabby already at his side to try and calm him down. He starts pacing back and forth ignoring her calming words, “Papi Gio let’s just calm down. We’re not going to allow him to do that. He just couldn’t find any other way.”

He stops and stares at her like she’s gone crazy. “Well that’s definitely not the way! The way to handle this is by forcing Alejandro to stand down.” He spats out.

I deflate at that. “Nonno, do you keep forgetting that he isn’t going to do that as long as Dom knows his secrets? Secrets that he’s blackmailing him on by the way. Secrets that can ruin the man.”

“Then he deserves to be ruined!” His tone rose a notch and I could tell this news was causing him to stress.

Standing up, I reach for him and gently state, “Look, it isn’t going to be happen, because I won’t let it. I’ll talk some sense into him and get him to understand that the best thing to do is for us to handle it. So stop worrying alright.”

I grab his shoulder to get him to stop pacing like a crazed man. His eyes spark with concern that I only knew too well. I was feeling it myself at the moment. We couldn’t take this situation lightly.

“You talk to him. But if he doesn’t change that stubborn mind of his, I will. And he isn’t going to want me too, Tesoro.” He warns, but I could see him giving in.

“I’ll go talk to him now. So, please, stop stressing yourself out. We don’t need two crisis’ on our plate right now.”

He grunts but otherwise waves me off and goes to sit back down on the couch. Looking over to Gabby, she gives me a small smile and nods her head towards the door. She goes to sit next to him, and I knew she will stay with him for the time being. Making sure he doesn’t overexert himself with the constant worry he has for Dom.

Leaving the house again, the sun laying low in the sky, I start heading for the fields. Soon everyone was going to call it a day so hopefully Dom was already on his way back to the main house. But as I walk through the rows of vines, seeing Ernesto and one of his boys walking back talking, I soon realize that they were the last two coming in.

Stopping them I ask with a frown, “Have you seen Dom?”

Ernesto’s brows furrow as he looks around the field. “I haven’t seen him for a couple of hours.”

That got my attention. “Nonno said he came out here to help with the hand.”

He starts shaking his head but then stops. “Oh he did around noonish. He was working on one of the back rows, but I’ve been so busy after that I can’t say I’ve seen him since.”

Alarm slams into me as I scan the area once more. Maybe he went back inside and was in his room. “Alright-”

“Are you guys asking about Mr. Domenico?” Orlando suddenly walks up to us as he takes off his work gloves. “I saw him talking to some man earlier then they both walked off towards the back of the warehouse. I figured the man was asking about the wine. Haven’t seen them since then.”

I stare at him. A man? “What did the man look like?” I demand.

He stands up straighter at the tone of my voice. “Um, bald, was wearing some kind of leather jacket, wore sunglasses. Couldn’t really get a good look since they were so far away.”

My heart slammed into my chest. “They went behind the warehouse?” I ask feeling a sinking dread settle within me.

He nods his head and before they could say another word I jetted off in that direction not liking the way I was feeling. Not liking that some stranger so causally walked on our property. Who was the man? Why did he suddenly show up out of nowhere? Questions racks my brain as I nearly power walk to behind the old wooden building only to find no one there.

Scanning around the tree line it was silent with the wind blowing. I didn’t hear any other sounds and I knew that I wasn’t going to find my cousin here. Then something catches my eye just a few feet ahead. Lying there on the ground in front of the wooden fence that marked my grandfather’s property line.

Running to it I quickly pick it up just to find that it was Dom’s prized keepsake. His father’s name bracelet. He was never without it, never took it off. Fear and anger rushes through me as I realize what this meant.

Those fucking bastards got my cousin. And Nonno was going to blow shit up learning that his grandson was now in the clutches of the Russo’s.