Page 71 of Dreadful

It’s on the tip of my tongue to offer to help, despite my injury, but what he says finally registers. “Delivery driver?” I frown. “Don’t you have a car?”

Gio scowls. “Bah! We had to sell that months ago.”

Months ago?

“But didn’t you give Tallie a ride Saturday night after the show?”

“Saturday night?” Gio asks.

His eyes dart to Tallie’s so quickly that if I’d have blinked, I would’ve missed it. “I borrowed a neighbor’s car.”

“A neighbor’s car?” I repeat. All three Amorettis continue to work without missing a beat, making me wonder if I read too much into that subtle movement after all.

“Sì, a neighbor. Antonio?” Gio grins wildly at me and Tallie as he grabs a sheet of pastries. “Come, help me empty the display,amore mio. I think our little birds of love have things to discuss.”

“It’slovebirds, you overbearingfolle nonno.” She glares at Gio as he backs into the swinging kitchen door with a smug smile across his plump cheeks.

Tony chuckles at them both again, but when his gaze lands on me, concern deepens the creases in his forehead.

“I’m glad to see you are well, Sev. We were worried last night.”

“Me too.” My fingers drift up to my wound where it’s warm to the touch.

“Oh yes, we have antibiotics for you.” He wipes flour off on his apron, grabs an orange pill bottle from the corner of the room, and hands it to me.

I inspect the blank bottle and shake it for emphasis. “Where did you get this?”

“A friend of ours is a doctor. He dropped it off on his way into work this morning. We told him that Talia cut herself on a knife, and it got infected. That should keep you from getting sick.”

“And he had no problem dropping off pills without an appointment?” It’s not like it’s fentanyl or Xanax, but still. I don’t know many doctors who would risk their livelihood to prevent an infected cut.

The look of pride that had filled Tony’s face disappears. “Well, we, um…we—”

“We have an arrangement with him,” Tallie answers with a shrug. “Insurance is expensive. We give him free desserts for his office in exchange for basic medical care when we need it.”

I barely hide my frown. The shop has to be doing well, and while insurance costs a ridiculous amount, Tallie’snonnishould have more than enough to cover their expenses. Which means Claudio’s “protection fee” is drowning them. Anger simmers in my chest, but I raise the bottle like I’m toasting him with a drink.

“Thank you for everything you did, Tony. I know this is a risk, and I appreciate it more than you know.”

I pop the top and dry swallow a pill. Tony smiles and pats Tallie’s shoulder.

“Oh, it is no trouble. But don’t make ourdolcenipotinaregret saving you. She is sweet at times, but you don’t want to get on her bad side.” He gives me a pointed once-over, and his voice deepens with warning. “Gio and I do the same.”

For the first time, I see where Tallie might have a little bit of Tony’s influence, too. Frankly, I’m impressed, especially when his smile returns like the fearless old man didn’t just threaten me.

“Ciao, Sev.” He leaves to join Gio, letting the door swing closed behind him.

Tallie rushes to the door’s window and looks through it on her tiptoes.

“They’re too nosy to just leave us alone,” she hisses. “Watch them be behind this door, listening to every word.”

I’m tall enough to see over her head to see if she’s right. Her prediction doesn’t come true, though, and we witness their private moment instead.

Tony bends to whisper in his husband’s ear. Gio practically giggles and wraps his arm around Tony’s lower waist. The tall man rubs Gio’s back and places a kiss on his bald, freckled head.

I glance down at Tallie. She’s mesmerized, and a small smile plays across her soft lips.

“They’re sweet,” I murmur.