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A projectile smacks my head. I flinch at the dish towel on my shoulder. Gio and I glare toward the source. Amelia stealthy salutes one middle finger from behind her laptop.

If she weren’t here, I’d let loose on him. Instead, my useless hands ball at my sides, my muscles tense, and all my anger bubbles dangerously inside.

Meanwhile, Gio appears calm. His firm fingers grip my chin and tip my head until I give in and make eye contact with him. Again.

I seethe. Again. And smack his hand away.

“Where. Are. You. Hurt?” Gio mouths.

I wish he would stop looking at me like he cares. It’s annoying.

I blow out a breath, making him close his eyes. Instead of frowning, he breaks out in a grin that says, I’m not leaving until we deal with this.

Giving in, I snatch his ice bag and place it on my calf. My lips twist as I telegraph him a message.

Go away!

Gio stands above me. From this low angle, he’s a wall. He folds his arms, which make them look larger, if that’s humanly possible. He glowers in a way that makes me uncomfortable in the wrong way.

Why am I so attracted to this guy?

I wave him off, clearly miming that he’s free to go. And please, God, get as far away from me as possible.

Instead, he leans down and whispers, “Be ready at noon. I’ll drive you wherever you need to go.”

10/

sophia

Sheer Cliffage With An Island View

Within the hour, I’m redressed in my second cutest outfit sans tea stains. My hair has been de-bird-nested, makeup retouched, and I’m ready to leave to find Adam—again.

This time, though, Amelia stands beside me as a devoted bodyguard. She’s ready to fight any wild animals out for my blood. She holds an umbrella like a sword, ready to flap the canopy open and closed on anyone or anything who dares wander within our orbit.

Peeking out the front door, I glance left and then right.

“Are there chickens?” Amelia readies her trigger finger on the umbrella’s open button.

“I told you. I’m looking for Gio.” I sigh.

I step one foot outside. My gaze pauses on the terrace where I saw him earlier.

What are the chances of Gio being in a room next to the bungalow? Then I remember Jaz moved the rooms around.

Seriously?

Amelia scuttles off, searching the perimeter. She chases off squirrels, lizards, and whatever she finds with a pulse. She only waves me forward after clearing a nearby bush of butterflies.

Butterflies!

“Just watch for Gio.” I shake my head. “With the way he acted this morning, I half-expected him to be blocking the front door.”

“Maybe he feels guilty you got hurt.”

“Pfft.” I blow air. “Like he could have one guilty bone in his body. Men like that just take and take, and then when they don’t get what they want, they try to kill you with the Buffalo Wild Wing brigade.”

Amelia laughs, but I shoot her down with my crazy eyes.