Chapter 37: Chapter 37

H. J. School of Medicine

New York

◇ KEL ◇

"Subdural hematoma, multiple mononeuropathy, nonmalignant neoplasm." I dictated more complicated clinical neurology words to myself as I stepped out the huge doors of the main building.

Today's exam had positively turned my exhausted brain into a hotchpotch of medical terms and textbook definitions, and if I hadn't flipped through some pages along the walk to school this morning, I doubted I'd even get past the first half of the exam.

I was almost done rechecking my test answers in my aching head when my eyes caught a familiar face.

The guy stood alone in the parking lot, leaning against an expensive-looking car the same color as his shiny shoes.

My breathing hitched. I almost turned on my heel. My mind just drew a blank.

Had he been waiting for me? To collect payment? This soon? Oh crap. I didn't have any money on me.

His posture straightened when he raised his arm to wave at me twice. Enzo even smiled.

What did he want now?

Last time we saw each other, he said he'd come see me again before traveling back to Italy. But he didn't say why specifically. A man of his word.

It was so like him to show up unannounced, parading his attractive six-foot-two self outside campus in a brand new convertible—possibly pricier than my entire tuition.

Supposedly, he dropped by to see how I was doing. "I guess we're friends now," I murmured to myself.  I put on a smile and walked on towards the parking lot, stopping at a safe three feet away from him.

Enzo eyed my sweater dress with a grin that drew small wrinkles beside his watchful eyes. "Sei così carina con quello."

"Thanks." I glanced away. I might have blushed at the compliment. "Just finished a test."  My brain currently felt like mush. Perhaps it was just the mental fatigue from lacking proper sleep all month long, studying all day to make sure I got good grades.

My tuition just ate up thousands of dollars from my savings account—of course I'd want better than passing grades this time.

"How's your dad?" Enzo's brows creased when he turned serious. His eyes focused on mine now that he'd taken off his aviator shades.

"Better," I replied with a small smile. "How are you?"

"Good. Why only 30,000?"

Oh dear. Another rewind. It seemed after he'd given me the signed check, he actually expected me to encash it for more than the amount I wrote down. "It's already a lot of help. Thank you."

"That's only going to cover the hospital bills and your dad's medications." Enzo glanced to the main university building still teeming with students going in and out. "What about your tuition?"

"No. It's more than enough. I told you: you don't have to give me money." I stared at his doubtful expression.  "So, I'm paying you back in a few months."

"Perfetto." Enzo pulled a face and scratched his tan forehead. He probably spent his free time doing outdoor activities again. "E siamo punto e a capo."

His comment made me chuckle. His head-to-toe appearance screamed big-time businessman and a couldn't-care-less attitude, but, right now, he was anything but a snob. For a well-known heir whose social status was miles ahead of mine, he'd been friendly and really not as intimidating as I'd expected.  "I'm gonna start paying you back before end of the year. Just need some time. That okay?"

The guy furrowed his brows at me again and showed a fair amount of confusion and curiosity. "Did someone tell you to do that?"

"I'll get a few jobs next Fashion Week so I can start with the initial payment," I said in the most pleasant tone while I gripped my messenger bag. "If you prefer, I could also send you a document, with payment terms."

If only I had the cash, and if only the credit card bills and sky-high penalties didn't threaten my already meager savings, I would give back all of his money right now. Miles had warned me not to get involved with the Tomassinis to keep out of his family's mess with the Russians.

Soulless hitmen. International crime syndicates. Furious mobsters trying to stay on top of the food chain...

Downright insane, but it was what fate had thrown my way, unfortunately.

"Never told you to pay me back, so get it out of your head. Focus on schoolwork." Enzo leaned against the driver's side.

"Really, thank you. But..." I said with a forced smile. "I don't like owing people money."

"You don't owe me anything. You helped me and took care of me." Enzo shrugged lightly and frowned slightly. "Just doing what I'm supposed to do in return."

"Fine," I conceded. "But I'll pay back most of it. I'll draft the paperwork with my lawyer friend, and then, I'll need you to sign it." I glanced at the bodyguards standing close to his expensive car.

Looking quite unimpressed by my idea, Enzo distractedly combed his wavy jaw-length hair with his fingers.

Why wouldn't he just agree? Did he think I wouldn't keep my word?  "Please?"

"Don't be stubborn, bellezza." His casual reminder barely registered in my mind when he promptly stepped forward to kiss my forehead. Enzo held my arm to make me stand closer to him. Now his pointed, masculine nose touched my head. "And just try to ignore the guys. I pay them to do their job."

Right.  Safety first, I reminded myself while trying not to stand too close to him. He'd even suggested that he would hire a bodyguard to keep an eye on me since finding out Niccolo had gone missing. Of course I adamantly refused the idea and turned down the offer.

Perhaps Mr. Falco filled him in on why he thought Niccolo went missing?  Although Enzo was only 33,  now it felt like he was being a bit too protective...like an older brother I never had.

"You're still not happy," he commented when I kept avoiding his eyes. "Okay.  I'll help find your friend, but only if you let me help you pay for school."

"Find Niccolo? That's..." A nervous chuckle escaped me. "Not any better. I'll just be more indebted to you."

"Do you have any idea who we're dealing with?" Enzo sighed.  "Who do you think took him?"

"I dunno," I mumbled. "Miles only told me he thinks it's...a Russian gang."

"80 percent sure it's the Božićs." Enzo cautiously glanced to his side. "Drug-trafficking syndicate fronting as an oil shipping company in West Russia. They don't like spies and traitors. But what's new..."

For the next minute,  I just watched him make a phone call and listened to him talk in Italian in his less friendly, more bossy tone.

I stayed quiet and stood next to him, just anxiously weighing the odds after hearing his take on the matter. So his and Miles' suspicions were the same:  Niccolo had been abducted by the Russian mob.

"I'll call you when I hear news." Enzo slid his phone back inside his slacks' pocket. "Just got new intel. Someone's trying to locate him now."

"You mean...Niccolo?"

"Yes."

After just one phone call? "Thank you," was all I could say out of utter relief.

Long shot, but, Niccolo could still be alive and okay. Somewhere. Perhaps in a secret mob estate or warehouse?

I wanted to hug Enzo but I didn't want to make a scene or anything—not when it was normal for a guy like him to have armed escorts  all the time. "Why're you still here in the city?"

"Leo asked me to meet some lawyers.  Going back to Florence tonight." Enzo checked his phone. "When can I see you again?" he asked with a slanted grin that showed a deep dimple.

Too cute to ignore. Everything about him seemed too interesting it boggled me how he seemed to like hanging out with someone like me. I barely even spoke.  "I-I'm not sure..."

"Like I said, I just don't wanna be a stranger," he admitted with a scowl.  "Can't we be friends?"

"No—  I mean, we are." I paused after stuttering again. Well, at least he wouldn't know about the odd feeling in my tummy. "I just don't know if...something good's gonna come out of it."

Enzo didn't respond right away, his thoughtful eyes matching his baby blue tailored suit. He squinted at my hand clasping the strap of my bag. "Maximiliano called me last night."

Miles? Why would Miles call him up?

"Looks like he doesn't want me around you."

"Oh. Um...sorry." Although the news didn't surprise me,  I felt the embarrassment warm up every inch of my face. "He's just overprotective sometimes." I glanced down at my shoes and remembered Miles' phone calls.  He insisted that he wanted to see me. I only agreed to meet up after exams just so he'd hang up.

"Be honest with me." Enzo scratched his stubble that sculpted his photogenic face even more. Actually, he looked like a top model in his crisp suits. "Are you together?"

Ugh. Why did everyone keep asking me that?  First, Ricchar. Then Jill. Now even Enzo became curious enough to ask.  "I honestly don't know," I muttered, sighing at the reality as I crossed my arms and stared at the ground.

"Be', è un peccato." Enzo stroked my upper back. "Non è mica la fine del mondo. Quindi sorridete e provate a comportarvi come persone normali."

I slowly nodded. "I'll just pretend I understood everything you said. Sounded comforting enough."

Enzo chuckled and placed his arm on my shoulders. "Hai fame? Andiamo a pranzo."

We were about to step into his car to grab lunch when a strikingly familiar group of men stopped me from getting in the passenger seat.

The men kept staring at me as we stood by Enzo's vehicle. Dull footsteps thudded on paved ground and soon enough, other students paused to check what the commotion was all about.

Standing as still as the flagpole on the campus parking lot, I could only blink at the scene. My breathing halted in anticipation.

What exactly was going on? In mere seconds, the three guys with identical crew cuts surrounded Enzo's shiny convertible. I could do nothing but watch Enzo's displeased reaction.

"Buongiorno, Signorina." A familiar guy with a slightly scruffy jaw stood close to the gleaming hood. It was Alessio, head of Miles' trusted security detail. "He's waiting for you in the car."

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