AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She turned to him. “Will, I…”
He stopped mid-stride, a mixture of torment and disbelief flashing in his eyes.
“What is this?” He glanced at her and then Teresa.
This day kept getting better and better.
“Cucciolo, Mio,” Teresa said to him. Something passed between them at her words. “Mi manchi.”
Will didn’t respond to Teresa. He held control of his emotions, but Lucy could tell he was barely tethered.
“Luce?”
Every cell of her body wanted to go to him, comfort him. This wasn’t the time. “Teresa asked me to talk to you about your birthday.”
“I asked your Lucy if she would convince you to come home for your birthday.” His Lucy… “Come for supper.” Teresa’s olive skin paled as she spoke.
He moved beside Lucy and grabbed her hand. “Who will be there?” he asked.
Lucy blinked hard. He hadn’t said no.
“Your father and I. Whoever you’d like to invite.” Tears pooled in Teresa’s eyes, but they didn’t spill. “Lucy could come? Perhaps your friend will be coming, too?” Teresa glanced to Neilson.
Will nodded at him. “He’s Lucy’s bodyguard.”
Lucy stood in shock. Will was actually talking to his stepmother. This could be good. He could find some peace with his family. Or this could be very, very bad. It could backfire. He could end up with deeper scars.
“You need a…body—guard?” Teresa’s thick accent paused on the last word as though she examined it as she spoke.
“It’s a long story. Will here seems to think I do, and Neilson is a barrel of fun, so I don’t mind too much.” Lucy forced a laugh.
Teresa and Will both stared at her.
“I see,” Teresa said, very obviously not seeing.
“Lucy is a news anchor. She was assaulted. Now the man is stalking her. Neilson keeps her safe.”
Huh. In four sentences he’d summed up nearly a year of her life.
Teresa reached a hand to her throat. “Oh dear.”
“I’ll talk to Lucy and let you know about dinner.”
He hadn’t said no.
“Grazie, William.” Teresa stepped tentatively toward him. She raised a hand to his cheek, but stopped short of touching him.
He squeezed Lucy’s hand so hard it hurt. “C’mon Luce. I’ll walk you out.”
Teresa locked her gaze on Will. “Addio mio cucciolo.”
“Teresa.” He gave a polite nod and tugged Lucy behind him to the exit.
He never let go of Lucy as they hurried to Neilson’s SUV. Neilson moved behind them at a good distance.
“Do you want to spend your birthday with your family?” Lucy asked.
“No.” He swallowed roughly.
