Page 67 of Dangerous Games

I’m struck mute as I stand there in front of this gorgeous woman, who doesn’t have a hair out of place on her head, with the same stupid smile I plastered on my face.

“Ma, calm down,” Gio says as he nudges me forward. “Bronwyn, this is my ma, Camilla. Ma, this is my woman, Bronwyn.”

“Bronwyn.” She happily sighs as she takes my hand in hers, resting one palm on top of my hand and the other underneath. “What a pretty name.”

“Thank you,” I say shyly, trying to hide my discomfort at the same time I resist the urge to take my hand back and recoil into myself. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” she beams at me. “I thought I would die before Gio brought home a woman. Now all I need is a grandbaby.”

I choke. “We’re just seeing where things go.”

I mean, a baby?

What the fuck.

I can barely afford myself, let alone another human. Maybe in another lifetime, but it’s not happening in this one.

Camilla waves me off as she turns her attention to Gio, her eyes narrowing. “Where is her drink, Giovanni? I’ve raised you better than this.”

“Good luck,” Enzo huffs. “No one is getting drinks around here, not even a pretty lady.” He winks at me.

“Wink at her one more time and I’m going to shove your glass up your ass.” Gio glares. Matteo lets out a loud laugh. This is the first time I’ve seen him smile. He’s always so…composed and calculated. “I don’t know what you think is so fucking funny.” Gio turns his glare to Matteo.

Matteo leans back in his seat as he rests his leg on his thigh. “It’s just funny to see it happening to you. Karma’s a bitch.”

“Don’t think I still can’t charm the panties off Wren.”

I stiffen. Was there something going on between Wren and Gio that I didn’t know about?

“God, Gio,” Wren says as she enters the room with an eye roll. “You’re making Bronwyn uncomfortable by being a dumbass.” She picks up the little girl sitting next to Matteo and sits down next to him, settling her in her lap. “We haven’t done anything, so please don’t let your mind go there.” Wren’s face twists up in disgust. “Gio is just…charming.” Wren trails off, her tone laced with sarcasm.

The one guy in the room who I haven’t seen around or met snorts. “That’s one way to put it.”

“Shut up, Aldo,” Gio grumbles. “I don’t remember asking for your opinion.”

“You’re just mad the shoe is on the other foot now. I sincerely apologize for Gio being rude.” Aldo pins Gio a look as he stands up and crosses the room to us, holding his hand out. “I’m Aldo, Gio’s cousin. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

I place my hand in his. They’re surprisingly soft, and his grip is gentle in comparison to Gio’s. “I’m Bronwyn. It’s nice to meet you.”

Aldo gives me a low smile. “Take my seat.” He waves his arm toward the couch he just got up from. “What’s your drink of choice?”

“Oh no,” I wave my hands up. “I’m okay over here.”

My discomfort is growing by the second. I’m not sure where to sit, where to stand, or honestly what to do at all. It’s like I forgot how to interact with people even though I do it on a daily basis at work.

“Take my seat, Bronwyn,” Aldo says, his voice oddly calm but demanding at the same time. “Your drink of choice?”

“Um…” Shit. What do I drink? I can’t tell a family who doesn’t have a single lower-end liquor in sight that I drink box wine from the corner store. “Whatever you feel like making,” I finally say, not liking being put on the spot.

“I’ll make it,” Gio cuts in, glaring at Aldo, who looks to be enjoying himself as an amused smirk takes over his face.

“Be my guest,” Aldo says as he backs off.

“Holy shit,” a voice exclaims behind me as they enter the room, making me turn around. A woman who looks around my age stands there with her hands on her hips, a smirk on her face, her eyes dancing between Gio and me. “I never thought I would see the day you, of all people, get a girlfriend. How much did you have to pay her?”

My eyes widen as I freeze, my attention locked on her. Is she assuming I’m a…prostitute? Does Gio pay for girls?

Oh my god.