Page 48 of Dangerous Games

“How many brothers do you have?”

“Why, Bronwyn, with all your questions, I just might think you’re trying to get to know me.”

Ugh. I knew I shouldn’t have asked him anything. I turn my attention back to the window and continue my effort of ignoring the fact that he exists.

“I like that you want to get to know me, cara,” Gio says, his tone soft in a way that tugs at my heartstrings. “I have two brothers, Matteo and Alessio. Most people think it’s four though, because my cousins Enzo and Aldo are basically my brothers too. We’ve all been close since diapers.”

Four brothers?

I can’t imagine having a family that big. Growing up, it was always just me, my mom, and my dad. I don’t think they would even count as full parents with how much they were off doing their own thing and not paying me any attention. Most of the time they would get me a frozen pizza and expect that to last me for the week while they didn’t come home. I started doing my own laundry at six. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have had clean clothes. It’s a whole new level of embarrassment to go to school dirty. It’s the kind that aches in your bones. So yeah, I’d say they count as one full parent together. Maybe.

“That’s a big family,” I mutter.

Gio lets out a loud laugh. “Yeah, cara, it’s a big family.”

“Which brother is Wren married to?”

“Matteo. They have one daughter together. Her name is Viviana.”

“That’s a pretty name.”

“She’s a little spitfire. She’s going to give Matteo a run for his money. You’ll meet her tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” I ask, confused.

“It’s Sunday.”

I stay silent as I wait for him to elaborate, but he doesn’t.

“You’re saying that like I’m supposed to know what that means.”

Gio pulls into his spot out front of the pizzeria and cuts the engine. “It’s family dinner.”

I choke on my own air as fear runs through my veins. “Family dinner? Don’t you think it’s a little too soon for this?” I barely get out. Actually, it’s way too soon. I don’t even know what this is other than once again he’s pushing me into something.

“You don’t need to sound so freaked out,” Gio says, finding the whole thing amusing. “Ma is going to love you.”

I don’t get a chance to respond before Gio is already out of his car and walking around the front to get my door. Before I can gather my thoughts, my door is open, and Gio is pulling me out.

“Gio… I’m not going to your family dinner.”

Gio slams my door shut before taking my hand in his and dragging me into the pizzeria. “Are you going to be the one to tell Ma you’re not coming?”

I smile in greeting at the young girl working the counter, who doesn’t look fazed by Gio dragging me around.

“I’m not telling your mom anything! I don’t know her. You shouldn’t have told her I would come in the first place.”

“It was naturally the next step.” Gio shrugs as he lets go of my hand to grab the ingredients for a pizza out of the walk-in. “We’re going to make this at your place, but it’ll taste the same. Promise.” Gio turns to me and winks.

I watch with my mouth open in shock, trying to comprehend how this conversation got so far out of hand, while he shuffles the ingredients into one arm, swipes a yellow bottle in the other, and heads to the back door leading to the alley.

“You coming?” he asks as he looks back at me, his arms full of ingredients, waiting to push the door open.

“Why didn’t we just order one and walk downstairs when it’s ready?” I ask, not moving from my spot.

“Because that would be me taking the cheap way out. I owe you a pizza, and I’m going to personally see that you get it. Now, are you done asking me stupid questions?”

I scowl as I stomp toward him. “I’m not asking stupid questions, Gio! You’re the one who keeps bossing me around and not really listening to me.”