Chapter 6 - The Man Who Didn't Know How to Stay
Three months later, Preston Hale was awaiting trial on kidnapping, conspiracy, obstruction, bribery, and a list of federal charges long enough to occupy an entire newspaper column.
Gavin Mercer had taken a deal.
Blackstone Behavioral Center had closed.
Rosa moved into a small apartment in the North End despite Enzo offering her a penthouse.
“I don't want a penthouse.”
“It has security.”
“It has you downstairs.”
“That is security.”
“That is surveillance.”
Enzo frowned.
Rosa smiled.
“I'm kidding.”
“You've become difficult.”
“I learned from you.”
Mia returned to Harbor Light.
Enzo hated that.
“You don't need to work there.”
They stood outside the restaurant after closing.
Mia folded her arms.
“Are you firing me from someone else's restaurant?”
“I could buy it.”
“Don't.”
“I could.”
“Enzo.”
“Fine.”
Daniel came running through the restaurant doors.
“Mr. Marra!”
Enzo looked over.
The boy had been speaking more every week.
Sometimes only a few sentences.
Sometimes dozens.
Enzo had never interrupted him once.
Daniel held up a school paper.
“I got ninety-eight.”
Enzo examined it.
“What happened to the other two?”
Mia slapped Enzo's arm.
“Don't listen to him.”
Daniel grinned.
“I spelled Massachusetts wrong.”
Enzo nodded solemnly.
“Reasonable. Terrible word.”
Mia laughed.
Daniel looked between them.
“Are you going to kiss?”
Both adults froze.
“Daniel,” Mia said.
“What?”
Enzo cleared his throat.
“I think Mrs. Caruso is waiting.”
Daniel shrugged.
“Adults are weird.”
He disappeared inside.
Mia looked at Enzo.
“He likes you.”
“I like him.”
“I know.”
Rain began lightly.
Enzo's expression changed.
“Mia.”
She knew that tone.
“What?”
“I think I should stay away from you.”
She stared.
“That is impressively stupid.”
“You and Daniel finally have stability.”
“And?”
“My life isn't stable.”
“You've spent three months putting Preston's network in prison legally.”
“Mostly legally.”
“Enzo.”
He sighed.
“People around me get hurt.”
“So you leave before you can hurt us?”
“Yes.”
“Coward.”
His eyebrows rose.
Few people in Boston had ever called Enzo Marra a coward and continued standing comfortably afterward.
Mia stepped closer.
“You spent seven years convincing yourself that caring about people is dangerous because losing Rosa nearly destroyed you.”
“It did destroy me.”
“No.”
She touched his chest.
“It changed you.”
He looked down at her hand.
“You're giving orders again.”
“Get used to it.”
“Mia—”
“You don't get to decide for me.”
“I can decide for myself.”
“Then decide whether you want us.”
Enzo looked through the glass.
Daniel sat beside Mrs. Caruso doing homework.
Rosa was inside arguing with Paul about cannoli.
A year ago, Enzo would have called the scene weakness.
Now it looked dangerously similar to a life.
Mia waited.
“Well?”
“I don't know how to do this.”
“Do what?”
“Stay.”
She smiled softly.
“Start with tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Breakfast.”
He considered it as if negotiating a merger.
“What time?”
“Eight.”
“Seven-thirty.”
“Eight.”
“Seven forty-five.”
Mia laughed.
“Fine.”
Enzo leaned closer.
“You negotiate badly.”
“You're the one coming to breakfast.”
Then she kissed him.
Slow.
Simple.
No audience except Rosa, who immediately appeared behind the glass and gave Enzo an exaggerated thumbs-up.
Enzo pulled away.
“My sister is ruining this.”
Mia looked over.
Rosa grinned.
“She's making up for seven years.”
Enzo sighed.
“I may send her back.”
“You wouldn't survive the car ride.”
“No.”
He looked at Mia again.
May you like
“No, I wouldn't.”
---
