This Thing of Ours (The Gamblers Spin-off Novel)

by Sarah Curtis

  He didn’t reply as she spun on her heel and disappeared into her bedroom.

  Marco sank into the couch, tipped his head back, and closed his eyes, trying to get his emotions in check before Gabriella returned. It was a futile effort as the conversation with Ricky and the subsequent panic he felt while waiting outside her unanswered door replayed in a loop through his head, not giving him peace.

  Gabriella was damn lucky she looked so cute when she came back out dressed in a pair of black leggings and a t-shirt that barely covered her ass because he wasn’t any less pissed off. She took a seat at the end of the couch, put her feet on the cushion, and hugged her legs.

  A whole cushion space separated them. He didn’t like it but figured it was probably best for his sanity if they remained that way.

  For the time being.

  “Tell me about your day.”

  A furrow appeared between her brow. “My day? You storm in here angry over something and now, instead of telling me why, you want to chat?”

  He gave her a small smile that he knew looked anything but cheerful. “Yes.”

  She blew out a breath. “Okay. Let’s see. I got up, ate breakfast, went to class, came home, took a shower, and… anything else?” She tapped her chin then held up a finger. “Oh, that’s right, a crazy person came crashing through my door.”

  Smartass.

  He gave her a pointed look. “Anything else you might have failed to mention?”

  She shook her head slowly. “I don’t think so.”

  “You sure?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Positive.”

  He raised a brow. “What about your little run-in with Dmitri?”

  The furrow between her brows came back. “Who?”

  Drawing his lips into a tight smile, he said, “Derek Miller.”

  He saw understanding fill her eyes at the same time a blush hit her cheeks. Why? He ground his teeth. It was bad enough she’d gone on a fucking date with the prick. After all he’d done, did she still have feelings for him? Jealousy sprang up in his chest hot and fierce, taking him by surprise and causing the asshole in him to come out.

  “Why didn’t you call me right when it happened? What are you hiding?” he sneered.

  She gave him a dirty look—which he deserved, though, hell if he’d admit it—and said, “Maybe you should leave.”

  Wrong.

  Quick as a flash, he leaned across the space separating them, grasped her under the arms, and hauled her onto his lap. “I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you until you tell me what I want to know.”

  She struggled, and he tightened his hold on her. “I don’t think I like you very much right now.”

  Ouch, that stung, but it didn’t have an influence on his goal. He needed answers. “That’s fine because I like you enough for both of us.”

  He felt the fight leave her as her body relaxed and she sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t really mean that.”

  He loosened his hold as she maneuvered herself so she was straddling his lap. His hands slid down her back to cup her ass.

  “I’m not hiding anything. I didn’t call because I didn’t want to bother you when I knew Ricky would tell you what happened?”

  “First, you could never be a bother, and second, I want to know immediately when something happens to you. Even if it’s just to tell me you stubbed your toe on the fucking coffee table. Understand?”

  She seemed to mull that over a few seconds then nodded.

  “I need the words, streghetta.”

  “I understand.”

  “Good. Now tell me about Miller.”

  “I told Ricky everything already.”

  “Humor me.”

  She shrugged. “He snuck into the classroom, sat down beside me, grabbed my arm—"

  A growl slipped past his lips. Ricky didn’t tell them that part.

  She placed her hands on his shoulders. “Relax, he only did it so I wouldn’t leave. he wanted to apologize.”

  That actually made him snort. “Yeah, I bet he did.” The fucker.

  “I believed him. And he did…”

  He lost her eyes as she stared off into space. He gave her ass a squeeze. “He did what?” When she didn’t answer, he gave her ass another squeeze. “Look at me.” When he got her eyes back, he asked softly, “He did what?”

  She took a few seconds to answer and finally said, “Nothing.”

  He didn’t push her, instead, saying, “I don’t trust him. He calls you, you don’t answer. You see him, you stay back and call me right away, yeah?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, okay.”

  He gave her a smile. “Good.” He ran a hand up her back. “Now, what was that about a warn—"

  Out of the fucking blue, a loud explosion pierced the air, shaking the couch and rattling the windows. Gabriella’s whole body jerked, and her eyes grew wide and frightened.

  “What the…” He stood taking her with him and placing her on her feet. “Don’t move.”

  He didn’t wait for her to listen to him but made his way to the door. Already gaping from its broken state, he could clearly see out. The sight that greeted him chilled his blood. The left-side corner of the main house was charred and blackened as flames poured from the two busted out windows that he could see.

  “Oh, my God.”

  He hadn’t heard Gabriella come up behind him. He looked over his shoulder. “Go lock yourself in the bathroom and call nine-one-one.”

  She tried to push past him, but he stopped her, grabbing her arm.

  “Marco, my parents are in there!”

  He cupped her face. “I know, cara mia. I’ll take care of it. Now, go. Get in the bathroom and lock the door.”

  He didn’t wait for her to argue further, just placed a light kiss on her startled lips and sprinted for the house.

  Chapter Fourteen

  If not for the fact Gabby’s phone was in the bedroom, she wouldn’t have moved from the doorway. She was that transfixed on Marco’s retreating figure.

  He was running toward a burning building, and she couldn’t stop the anxiety that was quickly spreading through her system. Knowing her parents were in the house was the only thing that had kept her from urgently calling him back.

  Following Marco’s orders—well one part of them anyway—she sprinted to her room and called nine-one-one. No way in hell was she locking herself in the bathroom. She needed to know what was going on. But she would stay in the house until help arrived.

  With clumsy fingers, she dialed then scurried to her bedroom window and looked out the blinds. Her bedroom faced the front of her house, and the window had a perfect view of the front of her parents’ home. Fire still licked up the side, originating from her father’s office, slowly infringing on the second story.

  The operator answered, and Gabby stuttered her emergency and address into the phone, too worried to feel any kind of relief at being told help was on the way. Marco and her parents where in a burning house—help couldn’t come soon enough.

  She belatedly realized she needed to call Nico. Hanging up on the operator who tried to keep her on the line, Gabby hit Nico’s speed-dial button.

  It took four rings before he answered. “Now’s not the best time, polpetta.”

  Nico’s usually controlled and smooth voice sounded tense, and she could hear Angelica crying—quite loudly—in the background. Under any other circumstance, Gabby would find her brother’s discomposure amusing. As it was, she had him beat on the stressed scale ten-to-one.

  “The house is on fire.”

  That got his full attention. “What?”

  “I… I don’t know. There was a loud explosion. Dad’s office is on fire.” Then she said something that had been simmering in the back of her mind but had been too afraid to really think about. “I don’t know if he was in it.”

  The crying had stopped and was replaced by the sound of an engine roaring. “Where are you?”

  “At my house. I called nine-one-one. They’re o
n their way. Marco…” She paused to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. “Marco was here. He went to… go help.”

  She searched the front of the house. Willed her eyes to see through the siding and drywall to what lay inside. Willed Marco and her parents to come out. She concentrated on the front door, barely daring to blink, her eyes growing hot and dry and semi losing focus.

  “I’ll be there in a few minutes, polpetta.”

  “Hurry, Nico.” The line went dead. “Nico? Nico?” She knew he had phone calls to make but still resented that he’d left her adrift and once more alone with her worries.

  The longer she waited by the window, the more active her imagination became until she’d almost convinced herself all in the house had been lost. She pushed those thoughts away, refusing to believe God would be cruel enough to rip Marco away from her just as they were starting.

  Leaving her post by the window, she went to her dresser and opened her jewelry box that sat on top. Searching its contents, she pulled out the rosary her nonna had given her on her thirteenth birthday. She closed it in a tight fist, the sharp points of the small, golden cross digging into her palm, but the symbol of her faith was a reassuring presence. She sent a quick prayer up to Saint Joseph, the protector of families, begging him to watch over her loved ones.

  She heard sirens in the distance, becoming increasingly louder until the sound was almost deafening. Fred, who’d been asleep on her bed, lifted his head and emitted a high-pitched puppy howl as the first of three fire trucks filled the scene. Firefighters in full gear clambered from the trucks, some gathering supplies, while others manned the hoses.

  Locking Fred in the bedroom, she rushed from the house. The rough gravel that littered the driveway dug into the soles of her feet as she sprinted toward the fire trucks. Stupid not to have thought about putting on shoes, but she wasn’t taking the time to go back and fix her error.

  One of the firefighters noticed her and approached. “Anyone inside?”

  She had to speak loudly over all the commotion. “Yes. My parents and my… boyfriend.” She’d stammered over the title, boyfriend sounding too tame for how she felt. “I’m not sure how many others.”

  The firefighter turned away, signaling something to his crew. The few not already manning hoses disappeared into the house. She saw Nico’s car in her periphery as it pulled up behind one of the fire engines and she raced to it, throwing herself into Nico’s arms as soon as he alighted.

  Burying her face in his chest, she felt his large, strong hand envelop the back of her head. “I’m scared, Nico. No one’s come out yet.”

  He gave her a squeeze. “Let me go see what’s going on.”

  She released him and watched as he jogged toward the house. She followed at a slower pace not wanting to get in anyone’s way. A commotion at the front door had her picking up speed. A firefighter emerged, her mom clutching his arm.

  Gabby swept her into a hug. “Are you okay? Where’s Dad and Marco?”

  Dona was racked with a coughing fit before she could answer. A firefighter came over, handing her a bottle of water. She thanked the man and took a long pull. “I don’t know. I was in the bedroom when the explosion hit. I haven’t even seen your father.” A tear slid from the corner of her eye, and she swiped at it, leaving a black streak of soot behind.

  She grabbed her mom’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be alright.”

  Gabby’s stomach was in knots as she and her mom waited, staring at the front door. She was put out of her misery a few minutes later when she caught sight of Marco. Soot smudged his face and lined the creases in his brow. His jacket was missing, and the right sleeve of his white dress shirt was tattered and singed but, other than that, he looked okay.

  She flew to his side on shaky legs that barely supported her, crashing into him once he reached the bottom of the front steps. His left arm encircled her shoulders as hers wrapped around his waist.

  “God, I was so scared. Are you okay?” She held on to him tightly, taking a deep breath to get her emotions under control.

  “I’m fine, streghetta.” His voice was rough and scratchy, and he sounded anything but fine.

  She felt his lips connect with the top of her head as his arm gave her a squeeze.

  She heard a cry from her mom, and Gabby leaned around Marco to see her dad being wheeled out on a stretcher. Her heart dropped into her stomach, and she must have made a noise of distress because Marco reassured her, “He’s okay. A little banged up and his leg is most likely broken, but he’ll be fine.”

  Leo emerged next, and he didn’t look great. But he was walking on his own, even if a firefighter was close at hand in case he was needed. Blood covered the right side of his face from a gash on his forehead, and he was holding his right arm cradled by his left. Gabby hadn’t even known he was in the house.

  Gabby’s gaze swept the scene. The place was a madhouse, but the firemen who hosed down the house from the outside looked as if they had things under control. Flames were no longer visible, only some smoke and the charred remains of what used to be her father’s office and the guest bedroom on the floor above it. She wouldn’t know what other damage had been done or how far the fire had spread until she was allowed inside.

  Nico was suddenly in front of them. “What happened?”

  Gabby looked up at Marco. “I’m going to go check on Mom and Dad.” She eyed his right arm that hung limply at his side. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m fine,” he repeated.

  Gabby was sure fine was some kind of badass dude code. He could probably lose the limb and still tell her he was fine. With a sigh, she disentangled herself from Marco and made her way to the ambulance and her parents.

  Vincenzo Conti looked anything but happy with a scowl marring his expression. In fact, he looked about ready to leap off the stretcher and attack the paramedic who was trying to attend him.

  Her mom held his hand and was speaking to him in a tone too low for Gabby to hear until she stepped in close and caught the tail end. “…and quit being so difficult. You need your leg looked at.”

  “I’m fine,” he said in a booming voice that wasn’t hard to hear even if she’d been standing fifty yards away.

  Gabby rolled her eyes. “You’re fine, Marco’s fine, the whole world is fine.” She stopped on the opposite side of the stretcher from her mom and took her dad’s free hand. “Dad, mom’s right. Quit being so stubborn.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek, whispering, “I’m glad you’re all right. I was worried.”

  “Sto bene, cucciola.”

  These men! “Quit saying you’re fine when clearly you’re not.”

  Her father held up a hand. “Okay, cucciola, you win. What I meant was, stop worrying because I’ll be fine.”

  A giggle burst forth that she couldn’t prevent as all the stress she’d been feeling over the last hour finally started to dissipate. Knowing that everyone was alive and that she could have such a ridiculous conversation with her father, left her feeling lightheaded with relief.

  “We’re ready to leave now,” the medic said, sliding in close to Gabby in a clear hint he wanted her to move.

  She gave her dad’s hand one last squeeze before letting go and stepping back. “I’ll be by as soon as I can.” She watched them load her dad into the ambulance with her mom climbing in behind.

  “Don’t give the nurses a hard time,” Gabby shouted as one of the paramedics slammed the rear doors, sealing off her view of her parents and silencing anything they might have said.

  She watched the ambulance drive away before turning to find Marco. He was still with Nico, and she approached slowly not wanting to intrude, only hastening her step when Marco spied her and held out his hand, beckoning for her.

  And then she had a thought. In the craziness of all that had happened, she’d forgotten no one knew about her and Marco yet, and unless Marco had explained things to Nico, her hugging him earlier must have seemed out of
place.

  Her steps faltered as she drew near.

  Marco must not have liked her hesitation because he gave her an unhappy look. “Streghetta, come here, now.” When she didn’t react fast enough, he took a step toward her, wrapped an arm around her waist, and yanked her against his side.

  She looked between Marco and Nico a few times, her eyes settling on Marco. “I take it he knows?”

  “I know.”

  She looked back at Nico. “And you’re okay with it?”

  “As I told Marco, you’re both adults and don’t need my blessing, but if you want it, you have it.”

  She would have gone to her brother and given him a hug, but she didn’t think Marco was going to relinquish his hold on her any time soon so had to make do with giving him a bright smile.

  “I’m happy,” she stated simply.

  “And so long as he keeps you that way, I’ll be happy, too.”

  She chuckled even though with the look on Nico’s face she couldn’t tell whether he was joking or not. Knowing her brother, he probably wasn’t.

  “Go pack a bag. Enough for a few days. You’re staying with me.”

  She looked up at Marco in surprise.

  He answered her unasked question. “It’s not safe for you here.”

  Then Gabby had a scary thought and quickly turned back to Nico. “What about you guys? Are Olivia and Angelica safe?”

  “I’ve already had them picked up and men are sweeping the house. We’ll stay in a hotel for a few days to be on the safe side.”

  Her mind at ease, she said, “Okay, let me go grab some stuff.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  Well, if anything could light a fire under her ass, that would be it.

  Chapter Fifteen

  It wasn’t until they’d been on the freeway for a while and passed Cheyenne exit that Gabby realized Marco lived on the north side of town. She didn’t know why she assumed he lived closer to the family. Maybe because he was always around?

  Marco got off at the next exit, took a left, and after a few minutes, pulled into a condo complex. Although the building was old, it was well maintained, and actually, one of the nicer buildings they’d passed.