Accidentally Yours (Merffy Kizzmet) novel Chapter 201

Chapter 201

Enzo

He pushed his espresso aside, no appetite for it. Lola sat next to him, shoulders small, eyes hollowed out, picking at her food like she wanted it to disappear.

Across from them, Dottie dragged from her cigarette, eyes sharp as knives.

“You’ll come with me today,” he said finally. “To the war room. You’ll share what you know.”

Her gaze cut to him. Steady. Testing. Then she nodded, like she’d been waiting for him to ask.

“About time. Let’s see if your men can handle what’s coming.”

Lola’s brow furrowed. “You’re just… agreeing? Like that?”

“Bug,” Dottie said, smoke curling, “I don’t sit at a table I don’t intend to cook at.”

Enzo felt the corner of his jaw tighten. Nico should’ve been here for this–should’ve been the one leaning back in his chair, cracking some quiet joke, reminding him not to grind his teeth. Instead, it was just the hollow space where his brother should be. He forced the thought down before it cracked him open.

Christ, fratello [brother]. You should be here for this. Not me alone.

“And I’ll be staying,” Dottie added, casual as a hammer. “Couple weeks. Maybe longer. Someone’s got to keep an eye on you two before you drown yourselves.”

Lola froze. “Staying? As in—”

“Not moving in,” Dottie cut, “haunting.”

Enzo almost smiled. Almost. She wasn’t wrong.

Lola turned to him, suspicion in her voice. “You don’t look surprised.”

He met her gaze evenly. “Because I’m not.”

Because I asked for this. Because I trust her with you in ways I can’t even trust myself.

She blinked, like she’d just caught the edge of something bigger, something she didn’t know yet. He let her. Some truths didn’t belong to this table.

Let them come. I’ll put every last one in the ground before I let them touch what’s mine.

The thunk of wood on bone cracked across the room as Dottie smacked her cane against his shin. Dom jerked back, swearing.

“Respect your elders, boy,” she said, tone dry as dust. “Or I’ll aim higher next time.”

Gino barked a laugh before catching himself, and Jake smirked into his monitor.

Enzo didn’t twitch. “This is Dottie,” he said simply. “You’ll listen when she speaks.”

She eased into a chair at the far end like a queen taking her throne. Dom rubbed his shin and muttered under his breath, but even he didn’t push further.

Enzo guided Lola to a seat beside him, hand warm at her back. His gaze swept the table, heavy, silent steel.

For the first time since Nico’s body went cold, the room didn’t feel hollow.

Alright, fratello. We keep moving. We sharpen teeth. We burn them out.