Page 193 of The Italian Obsession

Maso motions to open his door.

“Rimanga dentro la macchina.” Translation: Stay inside the car.

Another officer comes over, and they look through the trunk together while we all remain silent.

“Dove sta andando?” the officer asks. Translation: where are you going?

“Riportando a casa il Signor Ferrara. Sono la sua guardia del corpo.” Translation: Driving Mr. Ferrara home. I am his security.

The officer’s face falls and he looks into the backseat with his flashlight. He immediately bows his head.

“Mi scusi, Signor Ferrara. Buona notte, signore.” Translation: my apologies, Mr Ferrara. Have a nice night, sir.

“Cosa state cercando?” Enrico asks. Translation: What are you looking for?

“Abbiamo un evaso che si ritiene stia fuggendo in questa direzione. Fate attenzione stanotte.” Translation: we have a prison escapee who is believed to be heading this way. Be careful tonight.

He hands Maso’s license back to him and waves his flag. We pull back out into the traffic. Enrico and the men continue on as if nothing has happened.

I stare out the window into the darkness with my heart hammering in my chest. He has a gun. He has a fucking gun in his car. They all have them.

Who do they think is coming for them?

And why are they all so fucking prepared for it?

For the rest of the trip, I pretend to sleep. My mind, however, is anything but relaxed. I just saw it with my own eyes, as casual as casual can be. The crime. It’s still alive and well.

They honestly believe that someone is coming for Enrico.

They thought it was an ambush, and they were armed and ready. They were calm, cool, and collected. Fear is filtering through my bloodstream. Who would want my man harmed, and what the actual fuck is going on around here?

I feel sick.

Enrico reaches forward and tucks his gun back under his seat. He picks up my hand, kisses my fingertips, and rests it down on his thick thigh.

I watch him in the darkness as he stares straight ahead, unrattled.

Focused.

Who the hell am I in love with?

Chapter 25

OLIVIA

Half an hour later, the car pulls into Oliviana. “We are home,” Enrico says with a soft smile.

I wait in my seat as Maso comes around and opens my door. I get out and look around me. Two other cars have pulled up behind ours. They were obviously following us home. Enrico begins to chat with one of the men in the car behind us, and I watch him converse with them. He chuckles at something someone says, and they all break into chatter.

Totally at ease.

This is his normal. This is his safety net. He turns and notices me standing on the spot, and he comes over to take my hand.

“Come, Olivia.”

He leads me into the house and shuts the door behind us. He puts his arm around me and pulls me close, kissing my temple carefully before we turn and walk through to the kitchen. Antonia is cooking dinner.

She turns to us with a big smile. “Ciao, Signorina Olivia.”