“Sure did. Just went to get Lucia from the fall festival meeting.”
“How did that go? I haven’t had a chance to speak with Anna yet. I’m sure she’s excited.”
“It went very well, thank you,” Lucia told him.
Wyatt looked her over. “You feeling okay? You look a little pale,” he asked, filled with concern.
Gabriele nodded his head and placed his arm around Lucia’s waist. “She’ll be fine once she gets some food into her. I’ve got it covered, Sheriff.”
Wyatt placed his Stetson on his head and gave Gabriele a nod.
“Be sure you do. Take care, Lucia. See you soon.”
Lucia nodded her head and then tried massaging her cheeks with her hands.
“That isn’t going to work. You need food, darling, and some rest. My brothers and I will be happy to take care of you.”
“I told you, Gabriele, I don’t need taking care of.”
He smiled as he waved hello to other people in the restaurant and directed Lucia toward a booth in the back. He saw his brothers and then the expression on Lucifer’s face as he ended a call on his cell phone. He was clearly upset.
* * * *
Lucifer received the call from Lisa Burgos about Lucia nearly passing out on the front steps to the town hall. He had asked her to call him and let him know how the meeting went, if everyone was nice to Lucia. Lucifer knew they would be. The town was filled with great people, and the few bad apples didn’t socialize much at all.
He was worried, but the moment Gabriele showed up with Lucia he felt a bit better. He absorbed her attire, thinking she looked very classy and beautiful. But her complexion was pale and seemed to get worse the closer she got to them. Lucifer stood up and placed his palm against her cheek.
“Are you okay?”
“She’s okay now. She needs something to eat and drink. She’ll be good in a jiffy,” Gabriele said as he squeezed her shoulders.
“What’s going on?” Maxwell asked, and now he sounded concerned. Gabriele explained about what happened.
“You’re making a mountain out of a molehill. I’m fine,” she said. Lucifer cupped her cheeks and looked into her eyes.
“We’ll make sure you are.” He leaned down and kissed her lips softly.
“Lucifer.” She covered her mouth and stepped back. He pulled her toward him and motioned for her to slide into the booth next to Maxwell. Lucia was visibly shaken from him kissing her and showing his concern. She would need to get used to all of them and to learn they meant her no harm, only good things.
“I don’t think I should join you.”
“Why not?” Maxwell asked her. She glanced at him, her cheeks gaining some color as her eyes seemed to look his brother over. She was attracted to him, to all of them. But she was holding back, and it was their job to find out why.
“Please, Lucia, sit down, have something to eat, and rest a bit while we talk,” Gabriele said to her, and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth then slid along the seat and next to Maxwell.
“You look really pretty today, Lucia. Doesn’t she, Salvatore?” Maxwell asked, holding Lucia’s gaze.
Her eyes went from Maxwell’s to Salvatore’s as Salvatore softly replied, “Yes.”
* * * *
Lucia felt her body shaking. Being this close to them, having them kiss her on the lips, which was not just a friendly th
ing to do, made her uneasy. Then came the lustful thoughts and her damn body’s reaction to them. Her breasts felt full, her core tingled, and she found herself wondering if Maxwell and Salvatore wanted to kiss her, too.
Their care and concern for her was different. Was it a control thing? Despite how bossy and macho the men were, they did ask her what she would like to eat and then suggested the soup and a whole sandwich, not just a half sandwich. It appeared that they were worried about her weight. She had never been so thin.
“You need some meat on your bones, Lucia, if you’re going to make it through the winter here,” Gabriele teased.