“Sounds like Alessio.” I hinted at their connection despite how she’d reacted to Alessio’s questions. “It’s one reason he bought this place. He can’t stand being cooped up, feeling caged.”
A thoughtful expression flitted over her face. “He didn’t seem to mind being in the panic room.”
“Are you kidding? Any man would willingly stuff himself into a shoebox if it meant getting to snuggle up with you.” I winked and caught the ball Leo kicked my way, tapping it on the toe of my sneaker, then my knee, before kicking it back to him. “I know I would.”
“You’re ridiculous.” She tried to sound offended, but the grin ruined the effect.
“I’m right.” I tucked a loose strand of hair over her ear and into the ponytail trailing over her shoulder. “You’re an incredible woman, Lila. Alessio knows that. We all know it. We’re here toprotect you, to make you feel safe. What do you need from us to make that happen?”
Her mouth opened and closed, a whisper of air glancing over my knuckles as I dropped my hand back to my side.
“Will you play, Matteo?” Leo ran over with the soccer ball in his hands. He held it up to me. “I want to learn how you did that kick.” He swept his leg side to side. “That one.”
“Think about it.” I risked running my hand down her arm and squeezing her fingers. She curled hers around mine and returned the pressure. It might have been an automatic response, but I hoped it meant she was willing to start working with us instead of fighting us every step. “Come on. Let’s get closer to the net and I’ll show you.”
Leo dropped the ball and gave it a swift kick, sending it sailing across the grass to land halfway between us and the net Renzo and I set up last night. Leo listened as I explained the logistics behind soccer in a few short sentences. Once I showed him the move, he ran off with the ball and started kicking it repeatedly into the net. I kicked it back to him each time, praising his hard work and giving him easy pointers to finesse the move.
Half an hour later, Leo let the ball roll to a stop and jogged over to me. “Can I get a drink?”
I shrugged. “Check with your mother.” I walked him over to the shade of the secondary building, where Lila sat in one of the oval chairs stuffed with pillows to create a cocoon that resembled a bed more than a chair.
Leo repeated his question, and Lila nodded. “You remember where to go?”
“Through that door.” Leo pointed to the single door behind Lila that led to a small room where we’d set up a refreshment bar with snacks and drinks for when Leo came outside. It savedthem from having to go so far every time Leo wanted something, which I’d learned was almost every hour.
After verifying the building was safe through my camera feeds on my phone, I eased onto the edge of an Adirondack chair and crossed my ankles, waiting until Leo darted into the bathroom to ask, “How are you holding up? Really?”
“I’m fine. It’s Leo I worry about.” Her response came with the sort of automatic rush I’d come to expect from her. She thought of Leo first, no matter the situation.
A dissatisfied grunt pinched my throat. “Is there anything you need? Anything we can get you to make this easier for you?” I held up a hand when she rolled her eyes. “I mean it. Is there anythingyouneed?”
She settled deeper into the chair, almost disappearing into the white cushions that covered the wicker backing. “I need us to be safe. That’s all.”
“You couldn’t ask for a pair of shoes or something?” I swatted the air with both hands, waving them around like I batted away bees. “I mean, make it challenging. Keeping you and Leo safe is child’s play. I’ve been doing that for Alessio my whole life.”
She watched my display with wide eyes, the curled posture slowly stretching out until she relaxed with her toes peeking over the edge of the cushions near my knees. “Shoes? You want me to ask for shoes?”
“I said make it complicated.” I ticked my index finger back and forth. It was a risk to downplay the danger, but Lila needed a distraction and to know that we had everything under control. Lighthearted banter came naturally to me, so I used it to my advantage, especially in tense situations like this one. If I could use charm to pull down her defenses and get her to trust us, so be it. Since Alessio refused to tell her the truth, I had to do my best to work within the parameters given, all while showing Lila we meant to protect her no matter what.
She scooted to the edge of the seat and glanced over her shoulder. Her knees bumped mine, her bare toes coming to a rest on top of my shoes. When she turned to face me, a genuine smile made the day seem brighter, the future not nearly as frightening as the danger we faced. “Keep telling me it’s going to be okay. And I wouldn’t mind finding a bag of chocolate in the kitchen every now and then.”
Reassurance and chocolate. Got it. I matched her smile and rested my hands on her knees. “I can do that.”
A long shadow cut across the lawn and landed between us. I turned to face it and found Alessio marching our way, his face twisted with a dark scowl. His eyes narrowed. “What’s going on?”
“Having a little chat.” I kept my hands where they were for several seconds before I slid them down and away.
Lila remained close, not bothering to move at all as Alessio stormed closer.
I smirked at his jealousy. Maybe this was the push he needed to get his fucking act together and make things right. It was also my cue to back off. I slid my feet from beneath Lila’s and stood to meet Alessio. He stopped a few feet away, indicating I needed to come to him. I understood the power move intended to put me in my place and let it roll off.
Walking up to him, I put a hand on his shoulder. “If you don’t step up, someone else might.”
Alessio’s mouth flattened into a thin line, his muscles bunching beneath my patting hand. The deadly glare that made him famous after his father’s death landed on me, the full force of it staggering to men who didn’t truly know him.
“I’m not afraid of you. I respect you, and that’s why I’m willing to offer a warning.” I gave him a squeeze and walked off.
Of all the women who could make me want to change my ways, it had to be Lila. Just my luck.
