“I’m sure. I’ll be asleep within ten minutes, wherever I am,” I assured him.
“Okay, but you ring me if you need anything. I want to know if you start to feel anxious again too. Am I clear?”
Once Rafe had my nod of agreement, he stood and lifted me with him, setting me on my feet, but not releasing me until Cal was close enough to wrap an arm around me.
“Stay with her,” Rafe uttered to Cal as he passed him, obviously thinking I was far enough away, but I heard it. I didn’t say anything though. I knew my brother was terrified to leave me, and the only person to blame for that, was me.
“Try to rest, and listen to Cal. Let him take care of you,” Dio told me quietly as he approached a laid a kiss on my temple, lingering for just a moment or two longer than was necessary.
“You sound like Dante,” I smiled.
“We want the same thing, baby – to take care of you in every way possible. Be a good girl for Cal.” The last was whispered in my ear, then he turned and strode from the room as I stood there blushing furiously and confused by not only his words, but the sexy and strong tone he’d used to say them. He had me pressing my thighs together tighter to fight the ache he caused there. It was overwhelmingly new, but thrillingly exciting all at once.
“If you need anything, Cal can send one of my men to get it. Just let him know. You can ring or text me at any time if you need me or just want to talk, alright? No matter what I’m doing, you come before the business, always. Understand?” Rafe told me as he approached me again.
“Okay,” I nodded a little emotionally. When I’d been a kid, and lived with Marcello, nothing had come before business. That was a rule we all grew up knowing, and one I never forgot. It was huge for Rafe to tell me the complete opposite now, and it choked me up. “B-be careful. Please?”
“You can’t get rid of me that easily,Gioia.” He smirked, then kissed the top of my head, before he turned and followed Dio from the room.
I didn’t know what they were going to ‘handle’ but I was pretty sure Dio wouldn’t have dragged Rafe away from me that night for an issue at a hotel. Something bigger was going on and I knew it. I’d push for the truth tomorrow, but for that night I was done. I sank against Cal’s side and almost sobbed when he gathered me up into his arms and pressed me against his chest.
“I know you’re tired, gorgeous,” he soothed gently. “Let’s get you comfortable so you can sleep.”
“Just d-don’t leave me, Cal. Please…I c-can’t be alone. Just for tonight. Stay with me,” I pleaded.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’d stay with you forever if you asked me to, babe. I’d happily spend the rest of my life holding you, just like this.”
“Yes,” I whispered tiredly, laying my head on his broad shoulder and nuzzling against the heat of his neck. “That’s what I w-want. That sounds perfect.”
“Rest now. I’ll take care of you.”
Sleep, or exhaustion must have pulled me under then, because the last thing I remembered was laying my head against his shoulder, and him placing a soft kiss on the corner of my mouth, then nothing.
CHAPTER 10
DARIO
“What’s going on?” Rafe asked. He hadn’t said a word since we left the house, and I knew he’d been worrying about leaving Cara. I was too, but this couldn’t wait.
“When the others took Cara for dinner tonight, there were some kids at another table watching her, and videoing her,” I began.
“What? Why wasn’t I told about this?” Rafe growled.
“It was nothing really. Arran and Dante got Cara and Cal safely to the car, and Brax drove them home. Cara was a little shaken, but she seemed fine. Arran and Dante were still questioning the two teens at the restaurant when everything went to shit with Cara, so I didn’t even have anything to tell you at that point.”
“And now?”
“The teenagers were doing a favour for their cousin. She gave them some money to go to the restaurant and watch Cara, video her and the others, and find out as much as they could about what they were talking about.”
“How did they even know Cara would be there? I made sure Cal made the reservation last minute, and no one but in-house knew they were heading out,” Rafe snapped.
“I’m guessing someone else did know though,” I mused.
“Who? Stop fucking about and tell me what’s going on, Dar!”
“Gia. Did you speak to her today?” I asked, though I knew the answer.
“Yes. I’ve spoken with her everyday she’s been away. I rang her when Cara was napping in my office.”
