Page 184 of Fallen Rook

Now, I was breaking bread with Achilles, Chiara, Luca, and the rest of the Ferrante clan.

I slung an arm over the back of Enzo’s chair. “I agree, Tierney. It’s not awkward at all. We are a room full of grown-ups, sharing a meal and pleasant conversation.”

Enzo’s cheekbones stained red.

Chiara shoveled her peas around on her plate. The fork made a terrible sound as it scraped the fine china. “How old did you say you were again, Agen—Tom?”

“Forty.”

“That’s old.”

“Mama!” Enzo groaned.

“Mama, behave,” Luca admonished her, placing his hand over his wife’s on the table.

Sofia looked up from where their hands touched, meeting his gaze. Something passed between them. I was impressed by Luca’s ability to save his marriage. But I supposed, after the devotion he’d exhibited the last few months, it was no surprise Sofia had given him another chance.

“Am I to ignore the fact Agent Rothwell is over a decade older than my son?” Chiara huffed.

“Please, call me Tom,” I said easily, and not for the first time. We’d met several times before, and she always insisted on reminding everyone of my job.

“Mama,” Enzo said, “please.”

“Tom.” She tried the name again on her lips, making an effort. “But if Enzo is happy, I’m happy. Bambino mio, are you happy?”

Enzo bit down on his lower lip shyly. “I’m walking on clouds.”

“How’s Iris doing?” Lila asked me. I’d made an unlikely ally in the youngest Ferrante. She and Tierney had been the first to reach out and try to connect when Enzo and I announced we were together. I doubted we had much in common, but she was Enzo’s favorite, and therefore mine.

“Iris is good, thank you.” I tore a piece of bread, dabbing it in the delicious sauce of the homemade scampi. “She accepted Josh’s proposal. The wedding is a month from now.”

“That’s soon.” Tierney whistled.

“Bitch, you eloped in Naples.” Enzo snorted.

“Enzo, language!” Chiara cried.

“I think they’re going to try for a baby,” I said. “And because they’re religious…”

“They need a license to pork,” Achilles concluded, winding the pasta into his fork expertly. “Gotcha.”

“Achilles!” Chiara moaned again. Everyone ignored her. Questionable language was the least of her children’s sins.

Enzo still looked too tense for my liking, so I snuck my hand under the table and squeezed his knee reassuringly. That only made him blush harder. The man looked so petrified you’d think I was sucking his cock on live television.

“Enzo, why aren’t you eating your food?” Chiara barked. “I made your favorite!”

“Yeah, man.” Achilles sipped his drink. “Eggplant parmigiana.”

Luca snorted. Tierney kicked Achilles under the table. He gave her an apologetic face.

“I’m not hungry, Mama.”

“What’s the matter with you?” she said. “Of course you’re hungry; you’re a growing boy.”

“If he grows one more inch in any direction, this house will burst,” Tierney mumbled into her wine.

Achilles choked on his bite. Lila laughed. I smiled to myself. I’d spent the last three and a half years trying to put all of these people in prison, but the truth was…I liked them.