The stitches in my side screamed with pain, but I didn’t let a sound escape my lips.
“Careful, miss.” His voice was kinder than the look he gave me. “Do you need something?”
Bewildered, I stared at him. “No, I don’t think so. I just mean…who are you?” I asked in a jumble of words. “I mean, I know you are one of Matteo’s men, but what are you doing up here?”
Nerves prickled along my arms. Why was he here? A few days ago, someone had shot me, and now there was a man standing in my living room.
Did Matteo have a traitor in his midst? Was this man the one who had tried to kill me?
“You called for the elevator,” he said, like this made sense.
“I wanted to go for a walk and get some air.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, miss, but I can’t let that happen. Matteo’s orders are pretty clear. You’re not to leave unless he is with you.”
I swallowed hard. “Is that right?”
“I’m afraid so. Your brother is downstairs, though. And Matteo has allowed his visits.”
Now the not being allowed outside made complete sense, but Matteo allowing Gio to visit made absolutely none.
“Gio is here?”
“Yes, miss. He’s downstairs. Says he wants to visit with his beloved sister.” The man didn’t roll his eyes, but he might as well have.
He wasn’t buying the devoted brother routine either.
“I can tell him you don’t want to see him if you like?”
I schooled my face into a smile. “No, I would love to see my brother. Thank you,” I lied.
I didn’t want to see Gio.
Not now and not alone. If I had to face him, then I wanted Matteo close. Even if he hated me. Gio wouldn’t dare ask me to do anything I didn’t want to do if Matteo was listening.
A long, silent pause passed. “Fine, but press the button if you need me. I’ll be only one floor down. If you want him to leave, then I’ll make it happens miss.”
Tears sprang up in my eyes before I could stop them. This stranger had shown me more kindness than I had been given in weeks.
“Thank you,” I said to the empty room because he had already left.
Using the heels of my hands, I scrubbed at my face and waited for my brother.
“You look like…” he said the moment he took a seat opposite me. His eyes were narrowed and bloodshot as he stared at me shivering under the throw blanket.
I frowned. “Like I’ve recently been shot?” I countered. “What happened to hello? Or have you forgotten your manners?”
Eyes that I had once thought were full of brotherly love turned icy. “Just like you seemed to have forgotten your duty to your family.”
Silent, I fell back. “I don’t want to do this again, Gio. I haven’t forgotten my family.”
Boy, wasn’t that the truth. My family was all I did think about, but not him. I thought about my daughter and my friend. My real family.
“No?” Leaning forward, he glared at me. “Because you are here living the high life with a man who…”
“A man who did what, Gio?” That was enough. I would not be bullied by him. Or by Matteo, either. I was my own person. I’d survived by myself all of these years, and I had built a great life for myself.
Until he had come and dragged me back home.
