“Sorry, but it sounds like a stripper name.”
“Didn’t I raise you to be a gentleman?” A lady’s voice, maybe the wife and mother?
“Yeah.”
“Good. Now be quiet and let your father do his work.”
“Take a sip of water.” The older version of Luca handed her a glass.
Dawn took a sip. She was feeling better. She remembered what had happened.
She gazed around her, and standing behind the nice, older man, she saw a petite, older red-haired woman with the same concern etched on her sweet face. Kindness exuded from her. Dawn guessed they were Luca’s parents. He must have taken her back to his house.
Standing behind the couple was another tall, broad-shouldered guy who could only be Luca’s older brother. Holy moly, is everyone in this family good-looking? “Luca? Are you here?”
“I’m here, Dawn.” Luca shoved the hunk to the side and crouched down in front of her. “How’re you doing?”
“I fainted again?”
“Yep. Right in the middle of Mass. Ave. I figured I’d bring you home.”
“Shit. I—I mean, shoot. Did you carry me?”
“Yeah.” Then he shrugged. “My house was basically across the street.”
“I’m sorry I fainted. I guess I was just…” What could she say among these people? Certainly not that she had seen Luca covered in blood.
“It’s okay. It’s not your fault. I’m just glad I was there to help.”
Dawn nodded and took another sip of water. For some ridiculous reason, it felt good being surrounded by these people. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Luca turned to the older couple. “She’s okay now. Can you guys give us some privacy?”
“Luca, aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“Ma, this is a friend of mine. Dawn.”
The older woman took Dawn’s hand between her own. “I’m Gabriella Fierro, and this is my husband, Antonio, and one of our sons, Gabe.”
“Pleased to meet you all,” Dawn replied, embarrassed. “Thank you for your concern and your help.”
Gabriella’s sweet smile lit her beautiful features. “You need to eat something. I have some nice, homemade Italian wedding soup.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever tried that,” Dawn said.
“It’s delicious,” Antonio added.
“Mom makes the best wedding soup,” Gabe chimed in. He gave Luca some kind of smirk, and Luca narrowed his eyes at his brother.
“Antonio, Luca, help Dawn to the dining room table, and I’ll get some soup.” Gabriella marched to the kitchen, clearly expecting her orders to be followed.
Antonio and Luca each took an arm and helped her up. They both had a firm grip on her, and soon she was settled in a comfortable, straight-backed dining room chair. Dawn glanced around her and noticed the beautiful details of the elegant and sprawling dining area. The table, which must have been custom made, was large enough to seat at least twenty people. A tall glass-fronted cabinet flanked one wall. It was filled with pretty china and crockery that may have been passed down for generations. She had a feeling of lasting endurance. A permanence she rarely felt anywhere.
“Are you feeling better?” Luca asked. He sat beside her. Antonio sat at the head of the table and Gabe across from them.
“Yes, much better,” Dawn replied.
“You’ll be good as new after you try Ma’s soup,” Gabe said with a grin.
