Page 37 of The Wrong Move

“Don’t you dare. I’ll be a good girl.” She opens her mouth for me again.

A low growl escapes me. I have plans for those plump lips later, mygood girl.

Giana finishes her pasta, and before I can join her, a strange ringtone sounds from inside.

“Oh shit,” she says, jumping out of the pool with urgency.

“Is that your cell?”

“It is.” She grabs the towel and quickly dries off before striding inside. Her phone rings out, but she makes a call, and I remain by the pool to give her some privacy. I turn when she stops talking and see her getting dressed.

I spring up and go to her. “Is everything okay?”

She stares at me with tears pooling in her eyes. “My father had a fall. He tripped and cut his head. The ambulance is taking him to the hospital for observation and to check he doesn’t have a concussion.”

I pull her into my arms. “Hey, hey, it’s going to be okay. Do you want me to go with you?”

Giana shakes her head. “Thank you, Byron, it was a lovely night. I’ll catch a cab home.”

“No, I’ll drive you. I may be of assistance.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I think it just needs to be family for now.”

How is your father?

I stare at my phone,waiting for Giana to respond. It’s just past nine o’clock.

Hi Byron, my dad required sutures. We need to observe him for concussion. I’ll talk to you tomorrow x

I want to go to her.

Sitting on the couch, I tap my cell on my thigh while my leg bounces. I’m powerless to help her. There is no chance I’ll sleep with this kind of energy pumping through my veins. In a few minutes, I’ve changed and am jogging down to the basement to use the weights in my gym.

Within half an hour, sweat drips from my forehead. My biceps and shoulders ache. The music cuts out on my phone with an incoming call. I dive on it, hoping it’s Giana.

Strange. My mother never calls me this late at night.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Darling, Penelope has gone into labor.”

“What?”

“She is eighteen days early.” Her voice is hoarse. “Franklin is on his way home now.”

Shit.

My thoughts scramble. “It’s Sunday in Australia. BJ’s mom’s party was last night.”

“Yes. Their flight left four hours ago. As soon as Penelope told Franklin she was feeling strange, he organized for them to leave earlier than arranged. I really hope he makes it home in time.”

“Where is Penny now?”

“Her mother is with her. I’m on my way there now. We’ll drive them to the hospital and be there with her until Franklin arrives.”

“Which is?”

“Hopefully, in eleven hours.”

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