I frown. “Is it really right to keep this from her?”
“Yes,” he says without hesitation. “None of us want her to think she’s here because of a marriage contract.” His gaze sharpens slightly. “And you’re an attorney. She’s going to need someone steady. Someone she won’t constantly worry about getting shot and ending up on her emergency room table.”
“You do realize I’m Gino’s lawyer, right? I tend to see a lot of guns and shootings.”
“I know, but you mostly don’t do the shooting.” He smirks.
“I guess you have me there.”
He gives me a small grin. Then his expression turns serious. “Vanessa is caring and loving. She needs that protection. I’ve done that for her long enough, and I’m getting old. She needs someone her age to step into that role.”
He nods toward the door. “Lucy and I are going to head out.”
I nod back. Kevin walks toward the door, meeting Lucy there. Vanessa slips past me to hug them both goodbye. I overhear Kevin tell her to stay and talk to Gino before leaving, after she asks if she can catch a ride back with them.
When they step outside, Vanessa turns and gives me a soft smile. Then she heads into the kitchen.
“So, I’m probably going to head out soon,” Vanessa says. “I was thinking of ordering a cab to take me home. Is that okay?”
She looks to Gino, who’s leaning against the counter with his arms crossed, mid-conversation with Juliet. He turns toward her, and for a second I can tell he’s wondering the same thing I am—why didn’t Kevin tell her I’d be taking her home?
Gino glances at me. I shake my head.
“No,” he says firmly. “Don’t do that. Mateo will take you home.” His tone leaves no room for argument. “We don’t know who might know about you yet, and I’m not taking any risks. He’ll be staying with you for now.”
She looks between the two of us, clearly confused. Thankfully, Juliet steps in.
“That’s one way to tell her she’s getting a roommate,” she says dryly. “And you couldn’t have made that sound any less terrifying if you tried.” She turns to me. “Mateo, why do you look so broody over there? Honestly, you both suck.”
Vanessa snickers, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
“Sorry,” Gino mutters. Then he tries again. “Vanessa, for your protection, and so you don’t have to take a cab, Mateo is going to take you home and stay with you starting tonight. I told her Mateo would be staying with her I just didn’t say when. Is that better, Juliet?”
“Not really, but it’ll do,” Juliet says.
I already know she’s going to tear into him the second we leave.
I step up beside Vanessa. “Are you ready to go?”
She nods, glancing back at Juliet and Gino mid-conversation, trying—and failing—not to smile.
“Are they always like this?” she asks.
“Yes. At some point, they’re going to have to put everyone out of their misery, stop acting like boss and employee, andadmit they like each other. Because we all know that’s the truth.”
She laughs. “Then let’s leave them to figure that out.”
I raise my voice. “Hey, married couple over there, we’re leaving so you can keep doing… whatever this is.”
They both turn to us. Juliet rolls her eyes. Gino flips me off, which gets another laugh out of Vanessa.
Juliet steps closer to Vanessa and hands her her phone. “Put your number in. That way, if you need to be rescued from this brooding asshole, I can come save you.”
“Hey—” I protest.
“You know I’m right. Now get out of here. I’m serious. Vanessa, text me if you need anything,” Juliet says.
Vanessa nods. “I will.”
