Page 120 of My Daddy Is An Ex-Con

I roll my eyes. "I hope so."

"You came close to meeting your maker today," he growls, his deep and rumbly voice stirring my need. "ThankChristyour friends told me you were missing when they did. If they’d waited ten more minutes, I would’ve been too late."

I shake my head in amusement. "I shouldn’t have left Nonna’s house alone."

Medici stops beside a truncated column. His fierce eyes lock on mine. In the moonlight, thus illuminated, thus glistening, they remind me of a Roman warrior’s.

"No, you shouldn’t have." Medici’s voice is deadly serious. "In fact, I’m grounding you."

My jaw tumbles to the ground. "You can’t do that."

"Try me." Leaning in, he crooks a brow. "After the scare you put me through, you don't have the right to leave the house."

Shoot.This is bad.

I can’t fight the urge to sniffle. "What about beach day? I still haven’t been able to swim with my friends."

Medici rolls his eyes. "The beach is part of Nonna’s house. You can still swim."

Relief. That’s what crashes over me in calm waves. "Well, if I can still do that," I drawl, mollifying him with a wink. "I can’t complain."

Medici shakes his head. "I don't know what I’m going to do with you, sunflower. You damn near gave Daddy a heart attack."

We rest on a sarcophagus that most tourists aren’t allowed to take pictures next to during the day.

It has gorgeous designs on the side that Medici tells me arefunerary friezes.

They stand in contrast to thebas-reliefswe see on the temple exteriors.

Rome is so confusing.

Maybe I’m just an idiot, but I still can’t figure out the difference betweenreliefsandfriezes.

One has to do with the 3D designs on marble and the other is what borders churches, entryways, and temples.

Or something like that.

I need Daddy to explain this again.

I rest my head on his comforting shoulder. "I left to buy chips and a thank you card."

"I know, boy."

I close my eyes. "I wasn’t able to purchase your card, Daddy."

"Hey." Medici ticks my jaw up. In the moonlight, his eyes are doorways to a whole new world. "Daddy doesn’t require cards to know you love him. You show him with your actions. The little things you do. Make Daddy a cup of tea at night. Bring him an espresso with the morning paper. There’s no reason to run all over town risking your life. Or surprise Daddy with a morning BJ. That’s a wonderful gift."

I push out a breath. "In that case, thereisa gift I’d like to give you tonight. It’s one that’ll show you how grateful I am that you saved my life."

Medici tucks a strand of hair over my left ear. "That’s exciting."

Tension builds in my chest. I try to breathe to calm my mutinous nerves. They’re currently jackhammering my insides worse than the automatic weapon that emerged from the Lucianos' helicopter.

At last, I muster the courage to stare dead into his eyes. "I want to wet tonight. On you."

Medici trails his thumb across my cheek. "I’m so glad you said that."

I suck in a gulp of air. "I’m nervous."

---