I stand just outside Elena’s apartment building.

About ten minutes ago, I saw Enzo going in with two of his most trusted men. They should be coming out any time soon.

“Enzo,” I call out as soon as I see them.

The two bodyguards physically stop Enzo and Elena from walking any further. They reach into their jackets where they no doubt keep their weapons.

“What do you want?” Stefano asks. The guy who caught my men dealing coke in one of Enzo’s clubs. Looks like he got promoted.

“Easy,” I say calmly, holding both hands up so they see I don’t have any weapon on me. “I just want to talk.”

“Dad, please. He’s not going to hurt anyone,” Elena says.

“And how do you know that?” Enzo stares at his daughter with a suspicious frown.

“Just . . . tell them to stand down. Please, Dad.”

“It’s okay,” Enzo tells his men. “Let him talk.”

I take a few cautious steps forward, careful not to make any sudden movements that can be misinterpreted.

But I didn’t choose this exact spot for no reason. There are cars passing by all the time, not to mention pedestrians. We’re well within view of the building’s surveillance camera too.

“You have some guts showing your face here, Damon,” Enzo says. “I’ve been good enough to let you live. Don’t push your luck.”

“I’m not here to cause trouble, Enzo. In fact, I want to apologize.”

Enzo frowns, but then he laughs. “What happened? You fell on hard times now that you’ve lost everything? You think you can just come back to me and pretend everything’s fine?”

“I’m not stupid enough to think you’d take me back. I don’t want to go back to working for you either. I just want to say I’m sorry for what I did.”

“What is this? One of the twelve steps AA wants you to do?” He sizes me up. “Did you find religion or some shit?”

“What does it matter?” I ask. “I just regret my actions and want you to know I’m sorry.”

“Crawl,” he says.

Elena stares at her dad with disbelief. “What?”

“This doesn’t concern you, Elena.” Enzo keeps his eyes on me. “I said, crawl.”

“No,” Elena says.

“Elena, wait in the car,” Enzo says. To me, he adds, “If you come crawling back to me, I may just consider forgiving you.”

“Dad, I’ve never been more disappointed in you in my whole life.” Elena leaves his side. But instead of walking toward the car, she grabs my hand and pulls me away from Enzo.

“Elena, what are you doing?” Enzo yells out.

“Shut up, Dad,” she yells back.

Enzo doesn’t move from his spot, probably too stunned by the fact that Elena, his sweet daughter, has just told him to shut up.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

Elena stops just far enough away for us to be able to have a private conversation. We’re still within view of Enzo and his men.

“You’re not going to crawl,” she states. “No way.”

“I thought this is what you wanted. You wanted me to apologize to your dad so you don’t have to be stuck in the middle this feud.”

“This is not what I wanted. I never wanted you to crawl in for my dad.” Elena is shaking with anger. “You’ve already told him ‘sorry’ three times, and he still dared to ask you for more? After everything he’s done? What the hell?”

I smile. She’s so cute when she curses.

“It’s not funny, Damon,” she says. “He has crossed a line. Has he ever apologized for what he did to your family? Huh? I’ll bet he hasn’t.”

“He hasn’t.” I restrain myself from smiling. She’s getting all worked up on my behalf, and it’s so adorable I could implode.

Of course I’m angry that Enzo would demand something like that from me, but I can’t get over the fact that Elena is going against her dad, and she’s doing it for me.

“All I wanted was for you two to get along, but I see now that he’s made that impossible,” Elena says. “You’ve done all you can.”

“So what do you want to do now?”

Elena pauses. She glances at her dad, who’s watching us intently. Then, she pulls me into a kiss. Not our hottest kiss ever, but still not the kind of kiss a good girl would give a guy in front of her dad.

I’ve known for a while that Elena’s not always a good girl. But it’s new information for Enzo.

“Let’s go,” Elena says, pulling me toward the sidewalk.

“Elena, where are you going?” Enzo asks, finally waking up from his daze.

“Breakfast is cancelled, Dad.” Elena turns to me and smiles. “Oh, look at that. I’m free this morning after all. Does your breakfast offer still stand?”

“Of course.”