Carl designed the system. I stiffen right away. It can’t be Gio’s car, Beth made sure to put the sensor on his birthday gift before I gave it to him. The same goes for Jace’s jeep. This is not the kids.
The lights continue the soft pulse as I rush out of the pantry. Carl and Beth join me in the kitchen with stern expressions. I lick my lip and rub my hands on my thighs. Foolishly, in my comfort I left my pistol and purse in the car.
“Take Lizzy and go into the safe room. We have this. Take care of my daughter, Ava. I don’t care what happens, don’t expose her or you. Hurry.”
I don’t like this, but I nod and grab Lizzy to rush through the pantry into the safe room as Beth requests. Once behind the sealed door, I take the seat in front of the monitors.
Lizzy looks around as she sits in my lap. I brush a hand over her hair and start to sing to her in Italian. However, I stop singing and narrow my gaze at the screen as six men push their way into the house, holding out guns.
I cover Lizzy’s eyes and turn her head as a seventh man enters from the side door and shoots Carl. I bite back a sob. I never had anything against the man. After all, this was why he didn’t want me around.
I push the button for the sound, knowing this room is soundproof. My blood boils as I hear what’s being said.
“Where is she? Riccardo wants you and that bitch gone tonight. We saw her in the car with you, we know she’s here.”
I look down at Lizzy. Instantly, I feel like I’m going to be sick. I’m torn between helping my friend and keeping her daughter safe.
Gio
I’m still warring with my feelings as I pull up to our secret place on Ny’s family’s property. It’s a road in the brush behind the house. We come this way to say good night without her parents seeing us make out.
Ny hasn’t said a word to me the entire ride from the ice cream shop. Jace is in the back, silently stewing. I’ll deal with him during the ride home.
Ny gets out and slams the door behind her. Jace exits too and starts in the direction of the house, probably needing to use the bathroom in the guesthouse. I roll my eyes but get out to catch Ny before she takes off.
I make it around the car and reach for her arm to tug her back to me. Pulling her into my embrace, I kiss the top of her head. I tighten my hold as she stands stiffly.
She always smells so good. Sweet like candy. I place my nose in her hair.
“I’m still figuring things out, Ny. This isn’t what I saw for us,” I breathe.
She shrugs. “Maybe you’re right. It was just a thought. We don’t have to do this. I should have thought about how you would feel more. I know how much you question yourself because of your grandfather.”
“Baby, I didn’t say no. I’m trying to understand why.”
She turns in my embrace and looks up at me. “We have this thing. You both pull me. I can talk to you about anything. You make me think. That stimulates me mentally. With Jace, he’s there for me emotionally. He gives me comfort and affection.”
I grin at her. I would fall in love with a girl who thinks of things no other fifteen-year-old thinks about. It’s how we were raised. We’re thinkers. Jace is just a quiet thinker.
“Yeah, I can sort of understand that, but you know I’ll try harder. When in private, I can be more affectionate. If that’s what you need,” I reply.
She cups my face. “Gio, forget about it. This isn’t for us.”
I lean in and take her lips. Relief washes over me. I really don’t want to share her and this thing of ours is hard enough without me having to defend a relationship with two people.
I want Ny and that’s going to be the fight of my life as it is. Once I’m made, then I can start to think about changing things around me. For now, I need to keep my grandfather off my ass.
She wraps her arms around my neck. I deepen the kiss. Her lips are so soft, they make me forget everything. I slide my hands into the pockets of her jean shorts and pull her closer.
She breaks the kiss and looks up into my eyes. “I don’t want to ruin things. I love you, Gio. I will always be yo—”
Her words are cut off as Jace comes running back our way.
“We need to call for help,” Jace rushes out.
“What?”
“What’s going on?”
“Gunmen are in the house. I counted six. They have your mom at gunpoint, and it looks like your dad is down. I didn’t see Lizzy.”