“That’s kind of inspiring,” Mateo said, his gaze veering off as we made it to the SUV. He blinked several times and opened up the back door for me, a move he’d always done. “I never got to finish high school.”
“You didn’t?” I frowned at him. “Why?”
He shrugged, shaking his head and wiping the expression off his face. “Ma needed me to get a job and look after my little brother and sister. So, I quit junior year.”
I opened my mouth, unsure what to say, but his cell rang, taking him away from the conversation. My mind spun as I got into the car and stared out of the window, watching him talk on his cell before getting into the SUV. He turned the engine on and drove away from the college.
I thought I’d had it hard trying to get into college and having to share a room with my sister and niece, but something about the way Mateo spoke made me wonder what his life was like. He was always around, taking me places, and not once had I asked about him.
I opened my mouth to ask him something—anything—but it was too late because we were pulling through the gates and into the mansion. “Lorenzo needs us to run an errand,” Mateo told Romeo. His gaze met mine in the rearview mirror. “He’s in the house with Christian.”
“Okay.” I glanced down as I plucked my backpack off the floor and slipped out of the car. They stayed where they were as I walked inside the mansion, and when the doors closed behind me, I just stood there, unable to get Mateo’s words out of my mind. He hadn’t even finished high school. I knew there were many people who didn’t, but he was part of the family—not in blood but in spirit—so why hadn’t they made sure he finished high school?
My gaze snapped to Lorenzo’s office door as it opened, and Christian exited. He was saying something to someone behind him, and as soon as I spotted Lorenzo, I made a beeline for him. “Did you know Mateo never finished high school?” I planted my hands on my hips, screwing my face up.
“I…” Lorenzo laughed, clearly confused by my question. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the fact that Mateo never got his high school diploma.” I shook my head, feeling something bubbling up inside me. I had no idea what it was, but I was furious that, in this day and age, someone had to quit school to get a job so they could help provide for their siblings. “He had to quit to get a job. Did you know that?”
“Yeah.” Lorenzo raised a brow at me and leaned against the doorframe of his office. “It was me who gave him the job. I was a captain at the time. What’s the big deal?”
“Did you finish high school?” I asked. He nodded, so I turned to Christian. “What about you?”
“I…yeah.”
I pursed my lips and paced in front of them. “So, someone made sure you finished school, but instead of helping Mateo and making sure that he did, you gave him a job?” I threw my hands up in the air. “You pulled him into the Mafia, not caring why he was doing it?”
“Baby,” Lorenzo said, his voice smoother. “It’s not like—”
“And here I was, bragging about the fact that I got three scholarships so I could attend college. All the while, he didn’t even get to finish high school!”
“Aida,” Lorenzo barked. I turned to face him, frowning up at him. “I offered to loan him the money so he could finish school, but he wouldn’t take it.” He pushed off the doorframe. “I told him to go and get his GED, but he said it’d distract him from work and making sure his ma and siblings were taken care of.” He took two steps toward me, placing his hands on the side of my face. “He’ll get his GED when he’s ready.”
“But why would his ma—”
“She’s a drunk,” Christian supplied. “His ma is a drunk and doesn’t give a fuck.” I faced him, listening intently. “He does all of this to give his brother and sister a better life. He’s been doing it for five years now.”
“It’s sad,” I whispered, leaning into Lorenzo, feeling all of my anger slip away. “I feel like I should help.”
“No.” He shook his head, raising one brow in warning. “If Mateo needs help, he’ll ask for it. Don’t go interfering in someone else’s life.” He didn’t look away, pushing his point home. “The fact that he told you means he trusts you.”
“He does?” I asked.
“Yeah, baby.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “He’ll come to you if he needs anything.”
“Okay.” I sighed, my body itching to do more. Maybe I could have met his siblings, or helped him study, or…
I closed my eyes. Lorenzo was right. I shouldn’t interfere in his life, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t slowly prod away at Mateo for more information. I wouldn’t stand by while someone was struggling, especially now that I had the means to help.
LORENZO
I leaned back in the seat, watching the doors as each member of The Enterprise entered, their personal bodyguards and underbosses with them. They took up their usual places behind the bosses of each family, just like mine had. Christian stood behind me to the left and Mateo to the right. He’d become a permanent fixture since I’d taken over as boss—someone who I knew I could trust. I didn’t doubt his ability to keep the people around him safe, and I knew his prospects in the family were high. I was already forming the way I wanted to shape the family in my head. It would take time and patience, but I knew we’d be stronger than we’d ever been.
Slowly, the table filled with heads of families, but I didn’t say anything. I waited, watching them all, taking in the
ir body language. I was preparing for a meeting, unlike any other. Everything was about to change. I was about to make my mark in a way that no other boss ever had. I was about to show The Enterprise what happened when you crossed me.
“You gonna sit there watching us all day?” Alessandro asked, leaning forward in his seat and planting his hands on the table in front of him. He was frustrated, I could see that, but I didn’t care.