She is enjoying this.
“I’m glad he’s awake,” I say, my voice a little too high. “How is he?”
“He’s stubborn,” Teresa says.
I almost laugh. "Yes," I say. "He is that."
“He’s refusing to take the pain medication,” she adds, her gaze sharp. “I imagine you could talk some sense into him.”
I choke on my coffee.
Vito smacks me on the back. “Easy there, Caterina.”
“I’m fine,” I wheeze, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “Just went down the wrong pipe.”
“You should check on him,” Nico says, and I swear I’m going to throw this coffee mug at his head. “He saved your life last night. The least you can do is make sure he’s not being an idiot.”
“I’m not going to bother him,” I say, a little too quickly. “He needs to rest. He should be left alone.”
“He's already up,” Teresa says again, her voice a low, relentless hum. “He’s already asked for a briefing. He’s already refused to rest.”
She’s setting a trap for me.
And I’m walking right into it.
“He asked for a briefing?” Luca says, his voice suddenly sharp. “From who?”
“His people,” Teresa says. “He wants a full report.”
Luca’s jaw tightens. “He’s not working. He’s my guest. He’s recovering. He needs to be in that bed.”
“He doesn’t see it that way,” Teresa says.
“He will,” Luca says.
Elena steps in before anyone else can speak. "Think of the circumstances," she tells my father. "And think of how you would feel in his position."
My father's expression softens almost imperceptibly. "Point taken," he says.
“We have it handled, Papà,” I say, trying to wrest back control of the conversation. "I'll handle it."
And I will. I will handle it by avoiding him for the rest of the day. Or maybe the rest of my life.
“I think you should go talk to him,” Nico says again.
I am going to murder Nico.
“I’ll go with you,” Teresa offers.
“No!” I say, way too loudly. Everyone looks at me. I clear my throat. “I mean, no. That’s not necessary. I can handle it.”
“Are you sure?” Teresa asks, her eyes wide with fake innocence.
“I’m sure.”
“Alright,” she says.
"Eat first," Bianca says, loading up a plate for me. "You look like you're about to faint."
