Page 122 of Craving Danger

“Good.” Franco glances at me, then explains, “Via will be your bodyguard. She’ll be by your side no matter where you go.”

My eyebrows fly up. “Why?”

“To protect you.”

“Against?”

Franco narrows his eyes. “Anyone who tries to touch what’s mine.”

Right.

I turn my attention to Via, who’s a couple of inches taller than me. Holding out my hand to her, I say, “It’s nice to meet you.”

She shakes my hand. “It’s an honor protecting you, Miss Blakely.”

I give her a friendly smile. “Just call me Samantha.”

Her eyes dart to Franco for permission, and when he nods, I glance at Milo. “Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious.”

He looks surprised I’m talking to him as he mutters, “You’re welcome.”

Marcello gestures at my bandaged hand. “Can I take a look at the wound?”

I nod, and walking into the living room, I take a seat on one of the couches. Just like the night before, Marcello sits on the coffee table where the first aid kit is still lying.

Franco comes to stand behind the couch and places his hand on my shoulder.

Marcello is gentle as he removes the bandage. When I see the stitches, I wonder why it doesn’t hurt more.

Marcello cleans the wound before he wraps a fresh bandage around my hand. He pulls a small plastic holder from his pocket and says, “Take three a day until you’ve completed the course.”

I take it from him, and seeing it’s medication, I ask, “What’s it for?”

“It’s an antibiotic.”

Franco takes it from me, muttering, “I’ll make sure she takes them.”

I climb to my feet, and say, “Thank you, Marcello.”

“Any time,” he murmurs.

I turn my attention to Franco and ask, “Did your men, by any chance, lock my apartment last night and bring the keys?”

“Oh. I have them,” Milo says, and digging in his pocket, he pulls the keys out and hands them to me.

“Great.” Walking to Franco, I stand on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his cheek. “I’ll see you later.”

His eyebrows fly up, and he shakes his head. “I’m not letting you go to the apartment alone.”

“I have Via.”

“I’m taking you,” Franco says with finality darkening his tone.

“Okay.”

He takes my right hand, and I’m tugged out of the house before I’m bundled into the back of the G-Wagon.

When he takes a seat beside me, I roll my eyes at him. “Stop being a caveman.”