“Nope.”
We’re in one of the many guest bedrooms in the house. Rocco left us alone and didn’t complain about the sleepover. I think he was just happy we weren’t trying to leave again and left it at that.
“Have you kissed anyone?” I ask her.
Gabriella rolls her eyes. “Ugh, no. I wish. I’m twenty now. But with how protective Rocco is, if any guy even came within feet of me, he’d kill him. So, for now, I’m a kiss-less virgin.”
I laugh. “Well, I’ve never had sex either.”
“Oh. So, you two …”
“No.”
“Thank god, because I did not need to hear any details about my brother’s sex life.” She shudders. “Hearing just this much is enough for me, and even that’s too much.”
We laugh while snacking on popcorn. It reminds me of the sleepovers I had with Ashley, but she usually turned everything into a fight by the end of the night. With Gabriella, things are easier. Effortless.
Why can’t it be like that with Rocco?
A tap on the window makes us stop laughing. When another tap comes, we frown at each other.
“What is that?” she asks, getting up.
“Probably a tree branch or the wind.”
“It’s not windy out tonight.” She peers through the window. “What? Lara, come look at this.”
I go over to the window and look out. What I see scares me.
Figures cloaked in darkness stand below the window.
“We should get Rocco,” I say.
“Good idea.”
I start walking toward the door when the explosion hits.
The window shatters, spraying Gabriella with glass. She screams and falls to the ground.
And that’s when I hear the gunshots.
CHAPTER 10
Lara
I’ve never actually heard gunshots before. They’re a lot different from what movies make them out to be.
I run over to Gabriella, who’s covered in little knicks and cuts. “Gabi? I’ve got you.” I help her sit up and drag her away from the window.
“What happened?” she asks. “What was that?”
“I’m not sure. Just stay down.”
The sound of multiple sets of footsteps are loud as they come up the stairs. Someone is attacking, and I have a good idea who.
Carlo and Dante.
They didn’t wait long to make their move.