Page 11 of Wild Ace

He looks at me, and under these harsh fluorescent lights, I must look different than in the dim flashing lights of the club, but he doesn’t look away, and neither do I. Our staring match is broken up though, when he has to step out of the way for my nonno to be wheeled in.

“We’ll give you some privacy,” Nico says, slapping his brother’s shoulder as he passes him.

“Nonno,” I gush, squeezing his hand. “I’m glad to see you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, honey. If I was a younger man, I wouldn’t have let them get the upper hand on me.”

A rush of air leaves my lungs and I pinch my eyes closed. “We can talk about that later. I’m just going to walk Cassie out.”

“To the nice young men out there?” he asks hopefully, and I can’t help but smile.

“Yes.”

“I’m glad you’re okay, Mr. Manzato,” Cassie says, smiling down at him. “Lexi was very worried.”

“She worries too much.” He shakes his head, then winces at the motion.

My grin drops, and I lead Cassie out into the hall. “Thank you for everything, I really appreciate it,” I say to Vinny and Nico. “Would you mind giving Cassie a ride home?”

“Lex, I can stay with you.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m going to stay. You go home, though.”

“You sure?”

“Yes,” I assure her. “I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

“I’ll take her,” Nico offers, and I see the slight blush to Cassie’s cheeks.

“Call me later when you know more,” she insists, and I agree before she walks off down the hall with Nico’s hand on her lower back.

“Aren’t you going to go with them?” I hesitantly ask Vinny who’s still leaning against the wall looking too comfortable in a hospital.

“No, I think Nico wants to be alone with your friend.”

“How will you get home?”

“I can have someone bring me a car.”

“Right.” I nod, folding my arms across my chest. “I should go and check on him.”

“Of course.” His eyes are unwavering from mine. It feels like he wants to say more, but doesn’t, and I slowly turn away and walk back into the room.

Nonno is fiddling with the TV remote and I take it from him, finding an old movie for background noise.

“What happened?” I ask him gently.

“Did you have fun tonight, Alexis?”

“What? No. I mean, yes, I did. I was having fun until I saw all the missed calls from mom.”

“I’ll be fine, honey. I saw who you were with. A young Mr. Carfano, yes?”

“You know him?” I sputter out, surprised.

“I’ve been in this city a long time. I know the Carfanos.”

I look at the door and then lower my voice to ask, “You know who they are? What they do? Mom warned me about them when I was younger…”

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