Page 17 of Wild Ace

He leaves and a nurse comes in a minute later to take nonno for a few more tests as promised. I can tell he’s not happy about being fussed over again, but I don’t care. I need the peace of mind.

“Miss?” The nurse smiles, turning her head back before wheeling him away. “There’s a bag out here on the chair with your name on it.”

“There is?” Confused, I stand and curse under my breath at the pain of my feet now radiating up my legs. I grind my teeth and walk into the hall to see a pink bag with a note resting on top with my name scrawled across it. I turn the piece of paper over and smile when I read it.

You look good in those heels, dolcezza.

But these will feel better. And yes, I made sure they match that sexy dress of yours.

See you soon, Lexi.

- Vinny

I lift the tissue paper and smile when I see a pair of pink fuzzy slippers. I immediately take a seat and undo my heels, sighing the second my feet touch the soft fur of the slippers.

They do indeed match my dress and I like that he even thought about that as a factor when getting these for me. And the fact that he even thought to buy them for me in the first place has me wishing I didn’t tell him to leave. I had to, though. He'd already done way more than any other man would have in his place for a woman he just met in a club hours beforehand.

I wiggle my toes and smile again, hating that I want to see him soon, too.

It wouldn’t be smart to see him again, but maybe I’m tired of being careful and smart. Maybe I want to be a little reckless.

Chapter 5

Lexi

I haven’t slept in almost forty-eight hours and I’m on the verge of passing out, but I have to make sure my nonno is settled before I can close my eyes.

There’s barely any light left in the day when we get back to the deli, and as I drive past the front to get to the back lot, I see my nonno’s face fall at the makeshift plywood door and police notice taped to it.

“It’s going to be okay, nonno. I promise. First thing tomorrow morning, I’m going to call the insurance company so we can get repairs underway. You just focus on resting up so you can get back to work as soon as the work is done,” I say optimistically.

“I’m tired,” he sighs. “I just want to go inside and lay down.”

I’ve never heard him admit he’s tired before, which makes my heart hurt. He sounds defeated.

“I’ll sort everything out. Don’t worry, it’ll all work out. You taught me that.”

He gives me a sad smile and pats my knee. “Yes, honey. It’ll all be fine.”

I park in the lot behind the building and we enter through the back entrance. I’m surprised when he walks right up the back staircase and doesn’t even make a move to survey the damage out on the floor first. I’ll have to sneak down later to clean up so he doesn’t try to do it himself in the morning.

“I’ll be fine, Alexis. You can go,” he says to me when we’re in his apartment.

“I’m not leaving you, nonno. In fact, I wish you would come and stay with me for a few days while I get everything sorted out.”

“I’m not leaving my home just because some stronzo caught me off-guard.”

“I figured,” I sigh, already knowing how stubborn he is. “I’m going to stay with you, then.”

“No. No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am. At least tonight, and I’m not taking no for an answer.” I can be stubborn, too.

“Fine,” he concedes. “One night, and then you go back to your place.”

“Whatever you say.” I smile, and he shakes his head. “Do you want me to get you something to eat? I know the hospital didn’t have anything you like.”

“No, I’m just going to take a shower and go to bed. I couldn’t rest in that place.”

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