Claimed By The Ruthless Enzo

{Naomi's POV}

"So you're telling me you'll just walk into the Vitale mansion and walk out with fifty-million-dollar cufflinks like it's the easiest thing to do?" Chloe, my best friend asked, her voice faltering in fear.

I turned to face her, still holding onto the red lipstick in my hand. "Yes. It's not like I have any other choice." I turned to face the mirror and brushed the lipstick on my lips, staring at my reflection, my hand slightly shaking-betraying the fear I was trying so hard to hide.

"You have a choice that won't cost you your life," Chloe exclaimed as she stood up from the chair, walking toward me. "You can get a job and use the money to pay for your mom's hospital bill."

I turned to look at Chloe, wondering where she got that idea from, but I knew she was reacting out of fear, and that's not what I needed at the moment.

"Jeez, Chloe. You're acting like you're the one going to do it," I mumbled with an eye roll. "And which job in New York would offer me thirty million dollars in a day to pay for my mom's surgery bill?"

I turned to face her and she lowered her gaze.

"You're right. But if anything happens to you, I don't know if I'll be able to survive the guilt of letting you do something as stupid as stealing."

I sighed, letting the weight of fear off my chest as I placed my hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, Chloe. Nothing bad is going to happen to me, aside from the fact that I'll get the cufflinks, sell them to Vanta Andres as we've planned, pay for my mom's surgery, and keep the rest for her upkeep."

"I'm scared, Naomi," Chloe mumbled. "That cufflink belongs to the Vitale Empire, and it's in possession of Enzo. That guy is mysterious, and the last time someone got close to the cufflinks... that was the last I saw of her."

I grabbed the expensive cashmere sweater I borrowed from the boutique Chloe's friend owns.

"Are you saying he killed her or something?" I asked, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

When I got no response from Chloe, I turned in her direction. My heart raced, but I refused to show it. The worst thing that could happen to me right now wasn't getting caught by Enzo, it was losing my mother, the only person I had left, when I could at least try to save her.

Chloe looked at me with so much sadness.