Chapter Seventeen
Carly
I thought I’d put it behind me. Rico’s death. It’s been years, you’d think I’d be over it by now, right? That was what I thought, too. When the sound of gunfire echoed through the neighborhood, I realized how wrong I was. When it started, I’d grabbed Eli and hid in my closet until it was over.
Hours later, I was still shaken up over it. Eli was playing his video game and I was sitting on the sofa with a cup of coffee when a knock at the door had me jumping. Thank fuck the cup wasn’t full or I’d have spilled it down the front of me. “Gio? What are you doing here?” I stared at him once I’d opened the door to find him standing there.
“Good afternoon to you, too,Bella. I came by to check on you and Eli.”
“Why? Shit, I’m being rude. Please, come in. Can I get you something to drink? I have tea, coffee, juice, or water.”
“Coffee sounds perfect.”
I moved out of his way when he reached out to touch me. My nerves were shot – I couldn’t handle anymore stress right now.
“How is Eli? Is the infection getting better?”
“Yes. Thank you for asking.” I set a cup of coffee on the table along with the sugar and creamer. “I notice you didn’t answer my question. Why did you come to check on us?” His sigh made me arch a brow.
“There was a shooting at one of the businessesmi famigliaowns not far from here. I know hearing gunfire can be very unsettling. I wanted to be sure you and Eli were all right.”
I studied him from across the table. There was something...off about all of this. The way he spoke of his family, if we were in a city like Chicago I’d think they were mafia, but that was silly. There was no mafia in New Orleans. Right? “Thank you for your concern. Do you take this much interest in all your employees?” I pushed down the spike of jealousy that flared up at the thought of him paying such attention to another woman.
“No,Bella. Only you.”
I felt the warmth in my cheeks at his words. Pushing the feeling aside, I sat there sipping my coffee. “Was anyone hurt? Did...anyone die? In the shooting, I mean.”
“Si, unfortunately. One of the waitresses lost her life. She’d recently left her husband and he showed up at the restaurant, brandishing a gun. One of the cooks charged at him, to try to disarm him, and was wounded, as well.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry.” I noticed my hands were shaking and set them in my lap.
“What is wrong,Bella? You’re shaking.”
If someone asked me why I told him the truth, I don't think I could have answered. “Eli’s father was killed in a drive-by shooting. I thought I was over it, but hearing the gunfire so close, I guess it has my nerves on edge.”
“I am sorry,Bella. You cared a great deal for him, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I did. I know I was only sixteen and most relationships at that age don’t last, but I think we would have been the exception.” I shrugged. “It’s a moot point.” I watched as he seemed to process what I’d said.
“I need to be going. Thank you for the coffee.”
I watched as he took his cup to the sink and rinsed it out. “You’re welcome. And thank you, Gio, for your concern.”
“I’ll see you tonight,Bella.”
Before I could say anything in response, he stopped next to me where I sat at the table, dipped his head, and kissed me.
“Mm. Delicious.”
His voice came out on a growl that had things tightening low in my body. I watched him stalk across my apartment and once the door closed behind him, I collapsed in my chair, rested my head on my arms on top of the table and sighed. That man was not making it easy to keep him at arm’s length. I needed to steel my resolve around him. He was way too dangerous for my peace of mind.
