Page 48 of Wild Card

I chuckle and wrap my arm around her shoulder.

“Your grandmother is a wonderful woman,” she says. “And I understand why you did what you did. You wanted to protect her.”

“I did, but I want to keep you safe too, Catriona, and I gave Lorenzo too much time. That’s done now.”

“I’ll look after her,” she murmurs, confirming the instinct I’d had just minutes before. “If you can’t. But you’d better not let that happen, Gio.” She fixes me with those beautiful green eyes, and the tender affection I felt for her before turns into something more powerful. This woman is an angel.

“I won’t, Beauty.” I kiss her temple, and she snuggles next to me, eventually falling asleep.

Nonna walks by and watches us for a minute.

“Be careful, Gio,” she says softly. “For your sake as much as for hers.” She squeezes my shoulder.

I give her a smile. She’s right, of course, but it can’t hurt to hold her for a little while longer.

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