DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Sexting the Don: Chapter 23
I hop out of the Uber and stand there for a second, gawking at the mansion that I’m currently calling home. It’s practically a palace and every time I see it, I have to pinch myself. Is this real? It is. For now, at least.
I spot a light on in the guest house. It’s a relief that feels like a warm hug. Mom’s finally got her own space, no Jimmy in sight to stir up trouble. Knowing she’s safe and sound gives me a little rush of happiness.
Still riding the high from my workout session with Natalie and definitely feeling the sweat, I head inside the main house. Walking into Enzo’s place never gets old—it’s like crossing into some fancy, trouble-free zone.
I make a beeline for the kitchen, desperate for a cold drink. I snag a bottle of water from the fridge, twist off the cap, and take a massive gulp.
Leaning against the counter, I take a moment to just chill and savor the peace. The house is quiet and serene. I think about dinner later with Mom, how calm she’s been since moving here, and what Enzo might have up his sleeve for just the two of us later tonight. Between the crazy chemistry we have and this unexpected domestic vibe, life’s feeling pretty wild in the best way possible.
I toss the empty water bottle in the recycling bin and decide it’s time to freshen up before dinner. As I wander toward the bathroom I think of Enzo, how he’s been such an unexpected pillar of strength and kindness.
Opening up his home to us, making sure we’re more than comfortable—it’s way beyond what I ever expected. In all the chaos that seems to follow me, finding this kind of sanctuary with Enzo feels like striking gold. Maybe I’m starting to get to a place where I can finally let my guard down.
The first floor is quiet, with no sign of Enzo anywhere, so I head upstairs to the second floor, my steps light but purposeful. His office door is always closed, a silent sentinel guarding whatever high-stakes dealings he’s got going on in there.
As I approach the door, ready to knock and flash him a playful grin upon him opening it, I hear voices. One is unmistakably Enzo’s—deep, authoritative. The other, I don’t recognize. Curiosity piques, and I lean closer, not to eavesdrop but to figure out if I should come back later.
That’s when I catch a name that makes my blood run cold: Jimmy.
I freeze, hand poised to knock, now glued to the spot. Part of me wants to walk away, to give them privacy and not get tangled up in whatever serious conversation they’re having. But another part—the part that’s tied up in knots over anything that has to do with my father—needs to know more.
My heart thuds painfully against my ribs as I strain to listen. The voices are muffled, but the serious tone and the occasional sharp spike of a raised voice all hint at high tension.
Angry tension.
Jimmy’s name pops up again, and this time, I can’t just walk away.
I press my ear closer to the door, the wood cool against my skin, my mind racing.
Every instinct tells me to burst in and demand to know what’s going on, but I hold back, letting the snippets of conversation guide me to a clearer picture before I make my presence known.
It’s a risky game, standing here, but knowing more about what Enzo’s involvement with Jimmy could mean for us—for Mom and me—is crucial.
The other voice sounds anxious as he asks, “Why’d you let Jimmy’s woman and daughter move in here, boss? That’s risky, isn’t it? I’m not trying to second-guess you, but I don’t know …”
“It’s the only way to keep an eye on them,” he says. “Jimmy’s been causing problems for me and Garadino. Now he’s disappeared off the radar. It’s a fucking mess.”
“Garadino thinks you’re involved in Jimmy’s disappearance?” The other man’s voice rises slightly, tinged with incredulity.
“Yeah, and that’s not a good place to be. Garadino is getting paranoid,” Enzo replies, his voice laced with frustration.
There’s a pause, and I can almost picture the other guy pacing, considering options. “What if we use the women as bait? Draw Jimmy out into the open?” he suggests cautiously.
They can’t seriously be considering using us as bait. Fear and anger swirl inside me, a dangerous cocktail.
Enzo is silent for what feels like forever. I hold my breath, waiting for his response, hoping he’ll immediately shoot the idea down.
The possibility that Enzo would even consider using us in such a way makes me sick to my stomach. I lean against the wall, suddenly feeling dizzy. The thought of being bait in some mobster plot, of dragging my mom back into the mess we’ve been trying so hard to escape, is too much.
I storm out, rage boiling inside of me. Enzo seemed so different from the man I know, the man I’ve grown to have feelings for. Knowing I might have been wrong, the realization stings like hell.
With a heavy heart but my head held high, I make my way to the guest house, needing a moment away from the opulence that suddenly feels more like a gilded cage than a safe haven. I push open the door and find Mom exactly where I expect her to be, kicked back on the sofa, lost in one of her new favorite TV shows.
Her face, usually lined with the stress of living with Jimmy, now looks lighter, relaxed.
Seeing her in this state, so removed from the strain of our old life, really twists the knife of betrayal deeper. How am I supposed to break this calm with the news that we might be pulled back into danger?
‘Hey, Mom, how’s everything?’ I ask, trying to sound casual.
She lights up at the sound of my voice, her smile immediately brightening the room.
“Oh my God, sweetie, I just started watching this show called Grace and Frankie on Netflix. It’s hilarious. These two ladies, way past seventy, decide to flip their lives upside down. It’s really inspiring; it makes you think it’s never too late for a fresh start, you know?’ she chuckles, then sighs contentedly. ‘Jimmy always said Netflix was a waste, remember? Said we didn’t have money for that kind of stuff. Well, look at me now, binging with the best of them!’
I join in her laughter, but there’s a tightness in my heart as I do. She looks so happy, so removed from the chaos of our past life, totally unaware of the storm that could be just out of sight. I catch a flicker of concern in her eyes as she notices the change in my expression.
‘What’s the matter, honey? You seem a bit distracted,’ she probes, her eyes narrowing slightly with concern.
I hesitate for a second, almost spilling everything about Enzo and the trouble brewing. But I bite it back, choosing a safer subject.
‘I was just thinking that we should probably start hunting for our own place. Much as this mansion’s like a fairy tale, we can’t crash at Enzo’s forever.’
‘Absolutely,’ she agrees, gesturing toward a folder on the coffee table. ‘I’ve been doing just that while you were out. Found some potential spots for us to look at.’ She flips the folder open to reveal a neat stack of apartment listings.
I lean in, eager to switch gears in my brain from worry to action. As I browse through the listings, each one brings a new wave of excitement and a bit of relief. Moving out on our own terms, finding our own space … it feels like grabbing back some control. I point to a couple that catch my eye. ‘This one in Venice Beach has a nice balcony, and oh, look at the kitchen on this one!’
‘Yeah, I thought you’d like that one,’ Mom chuckles, pleased with her handiwork.
I flip through the listings, my finger pausing on another one that catches my eye. ‘What about this one, Mom? It’s in Silver Lake. It’s not exactly Beverly Hills, but it has a doorman and decent security. Plus, it’s in our budget.’
Mom leans over to take a closer look. ‘Oh, that does look nice. And Silver Lake is a lovely area—artsy and vibrant. I also like that it has security.’
‘Yeah, it could be a good fit for us,’ I agree. ‘Let’s go check it out tomorrow. I think we should move on it quickly if it looks as good in person.’
Mom nods but gives me a quizzical look, her eyes narrowing slightly. ‘You’re in quite a hurry, sweetie. Is everything all right with Enzo? You seem a bit on edge since coming back from the gym.’
I hesitate, not wanting to unload everything on her just yet. The last thing I want is to worry her, especially with the newfound peace she’s achieved here. ‘Everything’s fine. I just think it’s time we found our own place, you know? Get a fresh start, just the two of us.’
Her gaze softens as she reaches out to squeeze my hand. ‘All right, honey. If you think it’s best, I trust you. Let’s go see that apartment tomorrow.’
Encouraged, I pull out my phone and dial the number listed on the ad to set up a viewing.
After hanging up, I feel better, like I’m taking control of something amidst the chaos. But in the back of my mind, the threat of what I overheard in Enzo’s office lurks, a dark cloud threatening our brief spell of calm.
‘Got us an appointment for ten tomorrow morning, Mom. It’ll be our little adventure,’ I say, forcing a smile.
‘Looking forward to it, sweetie,’ Mom replies, her smile genuine though a bit puzzled by my sudden push to move.
Part of me can’t help but feel guilty for keeping her in the dark. But until I know more—until I can be sure of our safety—I decide it’s best to keep the full truth under wraps.
As we’re chatting, there’s a knock at the door. My heart skips a beat, anxiety clutching at me as I suspect it’s Enzo. In a rush, I lean toward Mom and whisper urgently, ‘Tell him I’m sick and went to bed early, okay?’
Mom looks puzzled, concern etching her features. ‘What’s wrong? I was planning on making spaghetti carbonara tonight as a thank you to Enzo. Why don’t you want to see him?’
I bite my lip, hesitating. ‘I promise, Mom, I’ll tell you everything tomorrow. Just please tell him I’m not feeling well.’ Not waiting for her response, I quickly slip into the bedroom and gently close the door, my heart pounding as I press my ear against it to listen.
Through the thin door, I hear Mom greeting Enzo. Her voice is warm but carries a note of disappointment. ‘Hi, Enzo. Mandy’s turned in for the night, feeling a bit under the weather. I’m sorry about dinner.’
There’s a slight pause before Enzo’s deep voice responds. ‘That’s all right, Florence. I hope she feels better soon. Actually, I’ll be out of touch most of tomorrow, but please tell her I’ll text.’
A wave of relief washes over me. His being away works in our favor, giving us a chance to check out the apartment and possibly move quickly if it works out. It feels a bit underhanded, considering everything Enzo has done for us, but the need to protect Mom and me from potential danger overrides my guilt.
As I hear his footsteps fade away, I sit on the edge of the bed, a plan forming in my mind. Tomorrow could be our pathway to a new beginning, away from the complications and shadows that have started to crowd around Enzo’s world.