Page 24 of Weaponized

My angel’s face lights up and she says something to Lizzie before gliding across the scuffed linoleum to our table.

“Good morning, Gráinne. You do look lovely today if it’s okay for me to say so,” Anthony greets.He’s such a kissass motherfucker.

Her eyes dance. “Well, good morning to you too, Anthony. And, yes, I appreciate the thoughtful compliment.” She looks around the table. “Good morning, everyone.”

Matteo replies in kind. Gianni gives a quick jerk of his head. I grin, feeling all sorts of awkward. I’m still halfway pushed out from the table and probably look like a moron. However, it seems to work, because she surprises us all when she sits herself right on my knee and kisses my cheek, “Morning, baby.” And, just like that, I’m hard as a rock.

I turn my face into her neck and scent her. I love the way she smells. “Morning, Angel,” is my low reply.

She focuses all of her attention on me. “I just wanted to quickly say hello. I don’t want to interrupt you. Just couldn’t stay away.”

Just couldn’t stay away.Fuck. I want this girl so much, it’s ridiculous. I wrap my arm around her and give her a little squeeze. Hug her to me. “You’re never interrupting me.”

I think I hear Anthony chuckle, but I’m not paying him any attention. I’m bewitched by the beauty perched on my lap.

“Good. I’ll let you get back to your breakfast, and I’ll see you later today. Just text me when you’re free and I’ll send you the address.”

I nod at this and move in to kiss her because I can’t help it with her mouth this close to mine. She doesn’t hesitate to kiss me back, but she pulls away long before I’m ready. She jumps up and gives a little flutter of her fingers to the table. “See you guys later.”

“Bye, Gráinne,” Anthony loudly calls after her.

Matteo tosses a balled-up napkin at his head. “You are too much sometimes, Ant. Quit messing with Luca’s girl.”

“What? I wasn’t messing with her! If she’s gonna be with my boy here, I need to make sure she knows she’s welcome.”

Gianni rolls his eyes. “You’re totally pussy whipped over there,” he says, frowning at me across the table.

“Talk about her pussy one more time,” I growl at him. “I dare you.”

Tension fills the air.

“It’s just an expression, Luca,” Gianni retorts. “Not used to some chick getting between us like this.”

Okay, he wants to go there. Fine. Let’s go there. “She’s notsome chick,” I inform him gruffly. “She’smine.”

“Damn straight she is.” Anthony slaps the table. The mood lightens a little. It’s what Ant is best at. “And that girl has it bad for you, cous. Well done.” His smile is genuine as though he’s actually happy for me. “Bring it up high.” He tries to give me a high five, but I don’t reciprocate. Ant puts his hand over his heart and slumps back as though he’s been wounded.

I can still feel my temper rising when Matteo steps in. “Good. Glad that’s settled. Gráinne O’Toole is under our protection. If we see anyone messing with her, we take care of it. Everyone understand?”

I release a breath of relief.

“Hell, yeah!” is Anthony’s enthusiastic reply while a single nod is all that Gianni can manage.

I desperately need to change the subject and I also need to quit watching my girl order breakfast.I’ll see her later. I don’t need to be a stalker right now.

“You going to be training again soon?” I ask my brother. We all know the underground fighting season starts up again in three weeks.

He tears his eyes away from the laughter happening in Gráinne’s booth. “Yeah. I spoke to Booker last night. He’s got me all set up.”

“You’re gonna need to spend some serious time in the gym,” Gianni comments as he shoves more bacon in his mouth. “I’m happy to be a sparring partner if you need one.”

“Thanks, man. I might take you up on that.”

We spend the next fifteen minutes talking about nothing, listening to Anthony’s stories. Gianni begins to engage a bit more, and it’s starting to feel okay again. As we begin to head out of the restaurant, I let the guys know that I’ll be out in a minute. Matteo nods like that’s expected. I walk over to Gráinne’s table while they are in the middle of eating.

“Just wanted to say goodbye,” I tell Gráinne, ignoring her friends and brother. It’s probably rude, but I don’t have a fuck to give.

She smiles. “You mean ‘I’ll see you soon,’ not goodbye.” She reaches over and takes my hand, gives it a little squeeze.

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