I throw a towel at him. With a smirk, he ruffles his hair and wraps the towel around his waist. While I’m still examining the picture, Alessio lifts me onto the counter. He spreads my knees and stands between my legs.
“Leo!” he calls, startling me.
“I’m not drowning, Uncle!” Leo calls back.
The kid knows Alessio well. Suppressing laughter, I pinch my lips. But it doesn’t last. It bursts out of me, and Alessio smiles.
“He’s being a smartass.”
“You’re very good with Leo.” It’s true. Leo’s probably the only person in the world who gets Alessio’s softer side, and that side of him is devastatingly attractive.
“Listen to me, Lake. That man is no good for you or you wouldn’t have left him. Later, you’ll thank me for getting rid of your ex for good.”
I side-eye him. “Get rid of him for good?”
Alessio nods. “He must stop coming on to you. Unless you still love him.”
“I don’t love him,” I rush to say, way too eagerly.
“You sure?” Alessio’s so still, he’s not even breathing.
“I swear.”
“Good. Because you know how serious Noah was about his pets. He locked them up in the ark and didn’t let them out until it was safe.” Alessio steps back and sets me down. “Check on Leo before you go shopping.”
“I will.”
On my way out, I stop at the closet. The golden gun is in the holster on the top shelf. I wonder how the sadist knew Alessio brought the gun. I need to think about that. The most obvious reason is that they’re watching him.
I doubt they can watch him inside the house, because if they did, they’d have no need for me, so they’re watching him from the outside. The airport? Did someone watch Alessio when security inspected his two guns, and that’s how they knew?
“Lake,” Alessio says softly behind me, but I jump as if he shouted. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, yeah. I was just thinking…” I swallow and point. “How come you carry two guns instead of just one?”
Alessio follows my gaze. “I have many enemies. One won’t do.”
Weapons make me nervous. Thinking about touching this gun makes me want to throw up.
Alessio cups my face and kisses me. “Do you want one?”
“Nah, I’m good. Curious is all.”
“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”
Everything. But the next time the sadists point a weapon at one of my family members, I’ll spill whatever Alessio tells me, so I don’t want to hear anything more about him. “Only the credit limit you have in mind for my dress and whatever else I need for the evening.”
“You can’t spend the amount of money I’m willing to pay to see you in that dress.”
“Your request is oddly specific.” Alessio said to buy a short black dress with a dramatic plunge in the back. I think I know what he has in mind.
“I like the curve of your back.”
“Guys!” Leo shouts from the other side of the apartment.
“Coming!” I answer and return to governess work.
TWENTY-SEVEN
