Page 51 of Hostile Devil
Without elaborating, she opens a cupboard, pulls out a first aid kit, and sets it on the kitchen island. “If you’ll excuse me, I have things to do before bedtime.”
She nods politely and heads for the door. I walk over to the medical supplies and pick out a wad of gauze, sterile wipes, and a packet of latex gloves.
I’d stuck to Giovanni’s side until we entered the house, all the while keeping an eye on André, who moved quietly, looking around. He’d finally sat on a stool at the island, his face bloodied, and his usual wildness contained.
I glance at Giovanni across the room, aware of his green gaze following me everywhere. I exhale, releasing hours of anxiety as my lungs deflate.
It makes me feel all tingly and hot knowing he fought for me. Even went up against his own brother, opening his world for me. And now I’m back where I belong.
But…
André is my world too, and having his blessing means everything to me.
“Dré.” I smile and pull out a stool next to him. “That cut will get real ugly if I don’t sort it out.”
His dark gaze drills into mine, but he doesn't say anything. It’s unsettling for me to see him so… quiet. His mind is turning over and over, but he’s keeping it locked down. This man has no problem speaking his mind. Ever.
I tear open a foil packet and pluck out a moist wipe. “Do you remember the time I watched that horror movie with the clown in it, even when Reno told me not to?” I remind him.
The corner of his mouth twitches into a faint smile as he nods. “And that night, Reno and Letterman were out dealing with business.” I continue. “I was scared shitless. I couldn’t actually exhale in case that fucking clown heard me breathe. So, I crept into your office while you were on the phone and curled up on your couch.”
The bones in his jaw work when I dab at the dried blood above his eyebrow. “When you looked over and saw me lying there, you disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a duvet and a pillow.” I continue to clean him up as I talk. “And what did you say to me when you tucked me in?”
He lifts the whiskey tumbler to his lips and takes a gulp, letting the liquor slide down his throat before answering. “I said you were brave enough to save yourself from clowns and that I’d always be right behind you to fuck them up if you couldn’t do it yourself.”
“Yeah.” I want to cry, the heart-felt memory burned into my brain for eternity. “You let me sleep in your office that night and took me out for breakfast the next morning.”
“You snored like a pig, India.”
I smirk and open another antiseptic wipe. “You could have left me alone and gone to bed, but you didn’t.”
He shrugs. “I had work to do.”
“You’ve always been there for me, Dré. Even now when I’m older.”
His eyes slide sideways for a second, finding Leo cuddling into his father. “You really do know him better than I do.”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t. I’m learning… still figuring out who he really is behind the mask he wears. I know he cares about me. I can feel it, you know? Like I know Sinéad loves you, simply by the way she looks at you. And we both know he could have shot you dead the second you jumped out of the helicopter, Dré. Rather than taking you down permanently, he welcomed you guys into his private world… so he can show you who he really is.”
André cocks a brow at me. “I think he brought us here to prove a point.”
“Yeah… I think he loves his family. All of us. Maybe that’s the point.” I take his manly hand in mine and check his knuckles for grazes. “And you could have pulled a gun on him too. But you didn’t.”
“And the boy? Where the fuck did he come from?”
“I’m sure Gio will tell you everything if you ask him yourself.”
“So, you weren’t here all alone. You had Lola and the kid.” His frown deepens. “And you didn’t tell me about them.”
I squeeze his fingers. “I knoweverythingabout you, Dré. Stuff only Reno and Letterman knew since I was there too, in the background. It was never just the three of you, it was the four of us, wasn’t it? That will never change. All of it stays in here.” My other hand settles over my heart. “I’ll take it all to my grave, because I love you. And his secrets… they’re mine to keep as well. Giovanni might be a monster, but I’m not afraid of him. Not like that creepy as fuck clown.” I smirk. “Gio’s my monster, and I love him too.”
My scalp tingles and a streak of lightning temporarily blinds us. “What are you two whispering about?” Giovanni appears by my side, his own face showing signs of a fight.
“I’m fixing him up. That’s all.”
“He’s fine.” Firm fingers curl around my wrist, his vivid gaze directed at André. “For some reason, my son likes you. He wants you to playNeed for Speedwith him on his Xbox. There are a few controllers to pick from, and he’ll get you hooked up with a headset.”
Without waiting for an answer, he tugs me off the stool. My body bumps against his and he dips his face lower, our lips an inch apart. My pulse thrums being so close to him.
