AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He has a laceration on his head from where he was hit with the gun, but the scans showed no swelling in the brain, internal bleeding, or damage.”
A breath leaves my body and I sink back into the chair. “Are you sure? He’s going to be okay?”
“Yes.” He nods.
“Did you run every test to be sure?” Vinny asks, his voice lowering to an octave that rings with authority. “We’re not leaving here until every test has been given and every possible injury has been ruled out.”
Dr. Weiss looks at Vinny, his lips pressed into a hard thin line. I can tell he wants to argue, but bites his tongue. “Of course, Mr. Carfano. I’ll run a few more just to be even more certain.”
Vinny’s eyes narrow. “Thank you.”
I wait for Dr. Weiss to walk away before asking, “People tend to do as you say, don’t they?”
“Yes. If they’re smart, they do.”
“And what happens if they’re not smart?” He gives me a little smirk and leans back against the wall, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked when I know the answer.”
Vinny rubs his thumb across his bottom lip. “You still think you have me figured out.”
I don’t.
I really don’t.
“Vinny.” A man approaches us and he and Vinny shake hands.
“John, how are you? Your mom?”
“She’s well. She’s loving her new nursing home.”
“Good.” Vinny nods. “I hope she takes everyone in there for their money.”
The man grins. “Give her time and she will.”
“I have no doubt. This is Lexi Manzato,” Vinny directs at me, and the man offers me a humble nod of respect. “Lexi, this is Detective John Carthwright. He’s going to take Frank’s statement and make sure he finds out who did this.”
I stand. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course, Ms. Manzato. Would you like to be present when I take his statement?”
“Yes,” I tell him, then look to Vinny. “I’ll be right in.” I wait for the door to close before I say, “Thank you for everything. And thank you for insisting they run a few more tests.”
“You’re welcome.” He’s leaning on the wall right beside me, so close that his voice vibrates into me like a plucked guitar string – waves bouncing around my insides.
My dry throat works around a swallow. “You don’t have to stay any longer, though.”
“Are you going to be okay?” he probes, raising his hand to brush a section of my hair over my shoulder. He lingers, twirling the ends around his finger.
I nod, my voice silent. He leans in and his lips brush against my cheek, kissing me softly. I close my eyes as the warmth from his lips spreads through me and pools in my core. A soft and gentle Vinny is just as sexy and turns me on as much as the take-charge, hot and heavy on the dance floor Vinny.
“This isn’t the end, dolcezza,” he whispers against my heated cheek, causing my hand to tighten on the door handle in order to keep from falling forward and losing all sense of balance and self-awareness.
Vinny walks off down the hallway and I watch him go, meeting his gaze one last time as he turns the corner and looks back at me.
No, this isn’t the end for us.
It should be, but I want to know everything that gaze has the ability to make me do.
♠ ♣ ♥ ♦
