Page 29

“She has a life here.” Zach appeared at their side, shoulders squared, chin raised. “I won’t let anything happen to her.”
Their graveside tête-à-tête had started to draw attention.
Caleb’s grandfather stepped out from the back of one of the Tahoes. Waving off his security detail, he joined them, his sharp gaze moving from one to the other.
“This is not the place for conversation,” he said firmly. “Zach told me what happened last night. Lucy has prepared food. Important decisions are best made on a full stomach and with reflection.”
“I need to get to Phoenix,” Caleb said. But strangely, his heart wasn’t in it.
“You need to eat before you go, Grandson. Please.”
It was the plea in the old man’s eyes that got him. The child who’d adored his grandfather pushing his way forward again.
Or maybe it was the tension in Gia’s shoulders. The way her lower lip trembled like she was holding herself together by sheer will.
It didn’t matter if he left later than planned. His mother’s belongings weren’t going anywhere, and the police were still in the early stages of investigating where she might’ve gotten the fentanyl disguised as prescription oxycodone.
“All right,” he said at last. “I’ll stay.”
His grandfather’s approving smile sparked fresh irritation. “For lunch,” Caleb added, a warning in his tone.
Gia’s eyes lit up. Her fingers brushed the sleeve of his coat, and the flutter in his chest was impossible to ignore.
“I’m sorry about youramá.” Her words were low, meant only for him. “And I’m glad you’re staying. Even if it’s just for lunch.”
“Ride with me.” He scrambled for an excuse. “I don’t know the way to my grandfather’s home.”
Her lashes dropped, hiding her eyes. “Okay.”
Zach’s jaw flexed as he visibly bit back a retort. With a clipped turn, he stomped off toward his car.
Caleb held back a smirk.
He shouldn’t enjoy needling his cousin. After years of no contact, he thought he’d put Zach and the rest of his family out of his mind and moved on.
Apparently not.
It must be memories of how competitive they’d been as young boys.
Memories that would fade as soon as he left.
He hovered a hand behind Gia’s back, and when she didn’t stiffen, kept his touch butterfly light as he guided her to the Jeep.
Chapter Eight
DesertRose.
Warm, earthy and floral.
Caleb inhaled Gia’s scent, tension easing from his body as she settled into the passenger seat. “You know, you still haven’t told me your last name.”
“Does it matter?” Gia kept her gaze on the passenger window, her voice distant.
He kept his tone light. “I told you mine. Fair’s fair.”
A quarter mile of silence stretched out before she answered. “Barone.”
Gianna Barone.