19 Getting to Know Enzo POV My phone vibrates in my pocket, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out exactly who is calling me before I even look at the screen. I smile realizing just how well I know the man. I answer, placing the phone to my ear, but I don't speak. "Hello son," he says, his tone one I recognize well. He is barely holding onto his control, but he doesn't want me to know. "What can I do for you, Marco?" There is silence and I imagine him gripping the phone so hard it is ready to break at what he feels is my disrespect. "Enzo, I realize that I might have pushed you a little too much today, but you are still my son. I am your father and the head of this family. You will show me the respect I have earned," he says. "Is that what you call ordering me to let a wh*re s*ck me off to put my wife in her place, a little too much? Maybe it was you putting your hands on my mother. That was a little too much. Respect is not demanded, Marco. It is given if it is earned." "I am simply trying to ensure that you are ready to take over this family, Enzo. Everything I have ever done was to prepare you to become the head of this family. I had to make hard choices as your father, as the Don of the Caruso family. As far as what happened between me and your mother, it is between us. I will atone for my mistakes to her when she is home where she belongs," he says. I fight the urge to laugh at how much he believes his own bulls*t. "Was I your son when you took me to the torture room?" His breathing is the only thing that lets me know he is still on the phone. "Enzo" he says, but I cut him off. "Don't even try to explain how taking your own flesh and blood to be tortured is for the good of the family. You are a sick ba**ard that enjoyed the power you wheeled over me. You would speak, and I would listen like a good little solider." "You say you wanted to make me hard because that is what it takes to rule in our world, but that's a lie." "Enough Enzo. You will return your mother and brother to my home. We will sit and discuss things and I will make apologies to your wife so that she doesn't involve Alberto in our family's business," he says. I throw my head back and laugh. "Is that what this call is about, Marco. Did you think about what would happen should my wife speak with her father? Are you afraid of being dealt with by Don Rizzo?" There is silence again. The sound of the door opening has me looking up in time to see my beautiful wife stepping inside my office. Without a second thought, I press the button to place the call on speaker. "Do you think I'm afraid of Alberto, boy? I'm not afraid of the man. The only reason I haven't taken his position by force was because of your arrangement to his daughter. Now that you've consummated the marriage, Alberto will have to recognize your position in his family," he says. "He has no sons to pass the family too. I had to be hard on you to prepare you for such a role. I will not apologize for what I had to do to make you a man who could take pain as well as he gives it. It will make you worthy of being Don of Dons. You will bring power over a bigger territory to the Caruso family." I look at Luciana and anger flashes in her eyes, but she is solely focused on the phone. I'm just about to correct my father, but instead she speaks first. "Marco, I didn't realize you are not only a misogynist but also delusional," she says. "Have you lost your mind completely, Enzo? What the f**k are you thinking about allowing a woman to hear our conversation about family business," he asks. "She isn't just any woman, Marco. She is my wife or did you forget that she is part of this family now." 1/3 x19 Getting to Know The sound of something smashing as it hits the wall makes me smile. "Luciana, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding we had at my home earlier today. As I was explaining to my son, I would like you to all return so we can speak face to face," Marco says. "Funny, is that because you are worried I'll call my papa, who you are not afraid of that you are now apologizing for trying to put me in my place earlier. As for Marie returning to your home. I don't think that is happening. I've already offered her a place in our home along with Antonio for as long as they would like to stay," she says. "That is my wife, you puttana. You will not keep her from me. I don't care who your father is," he screams into the phone. "Do not speak to my wife like that again or this call is over, Marco." "You would choose that b**ch over your blood after all I have done for you. I have made you, Enzo, don't make me destroy you, my son" he says. "You may have taught me how to kill my enemies, Marco, but what I've learned the most from you is to not let emotions cloud who the real enemy is." Luciana POV Without another word, Enzo cuts the call as Marco rages on the other end. He reaches for me and pulls me onto his lap. We sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes, both lost in our thoughts. "I know you heard him say we consumated our marriage. I had hoped telling him that in his office would get him to let go of the tirade that began in the car. I never expected him to bring the wh*re in because he felt you couldn't annul our marriage. I should have stuck with telling him it was none of his business. I'm sorry, Luciana, for bending to my father for even a moment," he says. "I'm not. Everything that happened today has brought us to this moment. I can't imagine how hard all this is for you, Enzo, but it had to happen. Your father isn't a good man. I know you aren't ready to speak about what he has done, but I'm going to say this. A father should never make his son fear him. He leads by example. You are not weak like he wants you to believe. Showing emotions to those that deserve that side of you is not a weakness. A day ago, I didn't trust you and now sitting her I can honestly say I do." I lean down, pressing my lips against his. Pouring my own emotions into a kiss that I hope shows him that I mean every word I just said. I turn straddling his lap, slightly disappointed that I changed into yoga pants and a t-shirt. A throat clearing has Enzo groaning. "Mom said that she wants you both at the table to eat. She didn't cook all this food for it to go to waste," Antonio says. I can hear the smirk in his voice even though I can't see his face. "We will be right there. Now get the hell out of my office, Antonio Enzo says. Antonio's low laugh makes me giggle. "I'm glad you find my brother amusing," he says. "I do. He is a good guy," I say sliding off his lap. I offer him my hand and he smiles. We walk into the dining room and Marie looks more relaxed than when I left her in the kitchen to change. "Sit, foletto (pixie), eat" she says setting a plate over flowing with food in front of me. She does the same for Enzo and kisses his forehead. We eat in comfortable silence, with no one willing to bring up the situation that will have to be dealt with sooner rather than later. We all need peace, even if it's only for a short time. After dinner, Marie and Antonio are shown to their rooms by Marjorie, who is a lovely older woman that I can tell is glad to see the changes in Enzo. When we step into our room, Enzo begins to remove his tie and dress shirt. I move closer as he pulls his shirt over his head. Tattoos cover most of his chest. One in particular catches my eye. A large lion's head. The intricate detail has me reaching out to draw it with my finger. "It was one of the first tattoos I ever got. Head of the pride felt like a kin to being a mob boss." "It's beautiful," I say as I move to another of a rose with four thorns. His smile has me doing the same. "I'm glad you like it. It's the tattoo that means the most to me. My mother has the most beautiful rose garden at the house," he says. 2/3 $19 Getting to Know +15 Points? "When I was younger, I would sit out there with her for hours. She would tell me stories about princes. It was before I started my training with Marco. She would say how someday I would love a woman. A woman that would make my life beautiful just like her garden. So I decided that when I was old enough I would have a rose placed over my heart for that woman. Despite my stupidity when it came to women, I still got the tattoo. It made me feel close to my mother, but honestly, the rose is for you," he says. "You are definitely a charming ba**ard Enzo Caruso." He throws his head back and laughs. "I can be, but I mean every word Luciana." "Alright, let's say I believe you. Why four thorns?" He leans down his lips by my ear. His breath against my skin sending a shiver down my spine. "The number of children I want to see your belly round with when we start our family, amore."