Page 24 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

Affonso’s features blanked, but anger simmered in hisgaze. “What a mess.”

“Yeah,” Calisto agreed vaguely.

“Thank you for letting me know.”

“I’ll handle it, zio.”

“Actually,” Affonso drawled, passing Emma a look, “Ithink I will handle it this time. I’ll take a trip down and see what theyleft.”

“I usually handle that for you,” Calisto said.

“I know, but I want to. I’m bored. What else can Isay?”

Emma didn’t know what her husband was up to, but shedidn’t like it a bit. Especially not when he looked at her again like he wastelling her to eat and stay quiet. She shoved a mouthful of pancake into hermouth and chewed.

“Tell you what,” Affonso said, smiling. “You take Emmato her appointment today. I’ll give her enforcer the day off. He can come withme and learn a bit. I’ll go downtown for you.”

Calisto glanced at Emma, unreadable. “Appointment forwhat?”

“Bloodwork. The baby. Standard things,” Affonso said.

“It’s a quick appointment,” Emma assured.

Calisto sighed, and his jaw clenched. “Sure.”

“Great,” Affonso said, clapping his hands togetheronce.

Calisto wasn’t happy, but he wasn’t exactly running toget away, either.

Wonderful.

“Sit. We’ll eat together. Like a famigliashould,” Affonso demanded.

Calisto smirked, never taking his eyes away from Emma.“Right. Just like a family.”

Calisto

Emma sat still and quiet in the passenger seat. Shepropped her chin in her hand and watched the buildings fly by as Calistonavigated the tough, thick early morning traffic. She hadn’t said more than acouple of words to him.

It wasn’t like he blamed her.

After last night, she had every reason to want toavoid him. He’d been stupid, got stupid-drunk, and then acted stupid all overher.

Calisto knew better than that.

“Hey, Emmy?” he asked.

She never took her eyes away from the window. “Hmm?”

“About last night.”

“It doesn’t matter, Calisto. Leave it alone. I’mfine.”

“Yeah, I figured. What I said still stands. I wantedto say it again.”

Emma slowly rotated in the seat until she was staringat him. “Which one? The part where you deliberately accused me of keepingsomething from you, the part where you accused me of not trying to tell you atall, or the apology?”

Calisto’s hands squeezed the steering wheel harder.