Page 35 of A Bond Beyond Blood

I nodded, emotion tightening my throat again and threatening to spill from my eyes.But then a woman stepped out from the kitchen and raced toward me, pulling me into her arms and pressing me against her chest, saving me from my tears as I returned her fierce hug.“Oh, Jack,” she said, “I’ve heard so much about you.”

Wish I could say the same, but then that was Gio for you.A different woman every week.He was so full of love to give but had absolutely no staying gene to speak of.He’d grow bored of this one and another would take her place in a week or two.

But for now, I returned her warm smile and lied.“Me too.”

She beamed as she released me and motioned toward my brother.“Well, come on then.Close the door and get the girl’s jacket.”She shook her head in mock annoyance, but her eyes were filled with love for my brother.

As I pulled my jacket off and looked up at him to hand it over, my eyebrows rose.That same love was reflected in his eyes, and I had to clear my throat to get him to snap out of it.

His eyes met mine and he ducked his head.

Holy shit.Was my bear of a big brotherblushing?

Thea gasped, and I whipped my head around to see what had startled her, but her eyes were glued to my sides.

“Oh,” Gio said as he grabbed my coat and ruffled my hair.“Forgot to tell you.The kid’s our resident vampire hunter.”

Thea’s brow furrowed as she finally tore her eyes away from the stakes nestled against my ribs and looked up at me.“Okay, well...Huh.”She nodded, then added, “Is that even legal?”

Gio snorted, shoving me playfully.“She’s never actually killed one.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Well, come on in, Buffy.Giovanni made enough lasagna for thirty.”Thea headed into the kitchen and I looked up at my brother as I mouthed, “Buffy?Really?”

He laughed as he pulled me into another chokehold, then dragged me into the kitchen.“She preferspolpettina,Thea.”

Thea laughed, muttering something about meatballs, and I slugged my brother in the side.He actually winced, releasing me with a firm shove, then handed me a plate so I could serve myself.

Distracted by Dad’s famous lasagna, the subject of vampires was forgotten, and I was grateful for that.I’d never told my brothers about Eli.I couldn’t say why, exactly, just that it felt likemine, a secret between Dad and me, something that wasours.That, and the fact that he hadn’t told my brothers himself had to mean something, so I kept my vigilance a secret.

My vendetta was mine alone.

And I was quickly losing interest.

Chapter Twelve

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