Page 18 of The Bodyguard's Vow

I ignored Gabriella, keeping my eyes on Aston when I reiterated, “You call her Gabbi.”

His mouth curved slightly before he nodded and murmured, “Je comprends.” Then he turned back to Gabriella. “Take as much time as you need,chérie.Bonne nuit.”

He gave me a nod in farewell before leaving.

“Are you ready to go,sole?” I asked her softly.

“Sì.” She grabbed the folder Aston had dropped off and picked up two more before she stood.

“You need to eat,” I muttered as I waited for her to come around the desk and cross in front of the chair I was occupying in the corner of the room—facing the door.

“Stop babying me, Mico,” she snapped. “I have a mother and two older brothers, so I don’t need anyone else trying to control me.”

“Caring isn’t the same as trying to control you, Gabriella,” I corrected her.

“Fine. Then everyone needs to stopcaringso much for me.”

“Being tired and hungry certainly hasn’t dulled that sharp tongue of yours,sole.”

Gabriella shot me a scathing glare, and I held back a smile. I much preferred her anger to no emotion at all. Yes, I was a hypocrite, but admitting it didn’t change anything.

We took the route from her office to the parking lot that went through the lobby so she could say good night to Gia, the gallery’s daytime receptionist.

“Buonanotte,Gia,” Gabriella said with a soft smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Gia waved brightly, her overly sunny disposition making me mentally cringe. “See you tomorrow!”

She was a nice girl, but she could be a lot to take. However, the people she greeted at the front always seemed to take to her, which definitely made them more likely to open their wallets.

We left the lobby out a side door that led to the hallway, at the end of which was an exit leading out to the parking lot. After a scan of the area, I gestured for Gabriella to walk ahead of me and stayed close behind until we reached the car.

When we returned to her apartment, she took a shower while I prepared a meal. I was happily watching her eat when my phone rang, and I pulled it out of my pocket. Rafa’s name was on the screen.

“Sì,”I answered.

“Where are you?” he barked. The question was odd considering he had trackers on Gabriella’s car, keys, phone, and purses. Not that she was aware of them.

“Gabr–bbi’s apartment,” I answered, stumbling over her name.

“Stay there and lock the place down. I’m headed to you now.”

I shot to my feet and stalked across the room where I could speak low enough that Gabriella wouldn’t hear me. “Cosa c’è che non va?”

“Alec, Leo, and Dante will be there shortly as well. I’ll fill you all in when I get there.”

“Fatto,” I agreed.

I hung up and turned around, nearly plowing right into Gabriella. She stumbled, but I caught her arms before she could fall, then I waited until she was steady to let her go.

“Are you okay?”

Gabriella glared up at me, her lips pursed and eyes hot with anger. “What was that about?”

“I don’t know,” I answered honestly.

“Was that Rafa?”

“Sì.”

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