Page 107 of Hot Momosa

Dahlia

My fatherand Leo hadn’t been in the same room since the day after someone had murdered Joe and Rebecca Marchionni. The visit had ended with me in tears and Leo banished from all things Calhoun, including me and the child growing in my belly.

This time is different.

Or is it? I’m not pregnant, and no one died, but it feels far too similar.

My father came through the door like a tidal wave, only to stop cold at the sight of Leo and me embracing. “Sorry to interrupt.”

Leo tensed, but rather than let go of me, he held a little tighter.

For the sake of keeping the peace, I eased back. “Dad, you didn’t have to come. I’m okay. The doctor signed my discharge orders a few minutes ago. I’ll be out of here as soon as the nurses do the paperwork.”

“Nonsense.” He glanced between Leo and me. “I would have been here sooner, but I only found out you were hurt an hour ago.”

He hadn’t come right out and accused us of keeping secrets, but his tone said it all.

Leo ran his hand over the back of his neck. “I apologize. I should have called as soon as I heard. I wasn’t exactly thinking straight.”

“No need for apologies. We’re all here now.” My father moved closer, and Leo stepped back to give him some room. “I understand Enzo was seriously injured. What is his condition?”

Guilt tightened my chest every time someone mentioned Enzo. Moments before shots rang out, we had been discussing him becoming a father. He’d seemed so happy.

Afterward, there had been so much blood and confusion and noise. Screaming people moving in all directions. Some ran into buildings, others ran out. Too many people for Stuart to drive us to safety. And then Shanna had been with us in the backseat of the SUV shouting and holding Enzo’s limp body, begging him not to leave her.

“Dahlia?” My father touched my shoulder. “Darlin’, are you sure you’re all right?”

“I’m fine.” I dipped my chin to hide the lie. “But I’ll be better once I’m home.”

Leo squeezed my hand. “Hang in there a little longer.”

“I’m trying.” I forced a smile.

“You’ve made it clear you don’t want to move into the governor’s mansion, but I wish you’d reconsider. Just for a few days…until the police sort this out.” The governor looked at Leo as if expecting back up.

“No,” I said at the same time Leo said, “Good idea.”

“What?” I couldn’t believe he’d agreed.

Has he lost his mind?

“Absolutely not. I’m exhausted. Gunnar’s probably scared to death. We need to be in our own beds.” I folded my arms, but the movement pulled the stitches on my side. A lightning bolt of pain shot from one side to the other.

“Easy there.” Leo helped me to lie back. “The extra security for you and Gunnar would be nice, but you don’t have to make a decision right now.”

“You’re welcome to stay with her, Leo.” My dad patted my calf. “I’d like the chance to get to know the man who stole your heart all those years ago.”

Oh, he’s playing dirty.

“I’ll think about it, but not tonight.” I hated the idea. Even with Leo by my side, I didn’t want to be anywhere near Robert or my mother. I wanted to curl up on the marshmallow couch and watch the lights blink on the Christmas tree while Gunnar played with his toys.

“That’s all I can ask.” My dad lowered his voice. “I understand you were with Shanna? How is she holding up?”

“As well as can be expected. Last I heard, Enzo is in surgery.”

Shanna and I had been friends since high school. At first, my father hadn’t known what to make of her snarky humor, but he’d come to consider her an adopted daughter—until she’d made the fatal flaw of marrying a Marchionni.

He folded his arms as if preparing to launch into a lecture. “You two were meeting Harrison’s ex-wife?”

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