*Olivia*
Sal stepped easily away from Gio with his hands slightly raised, though I couldn’t tell if he was placating me or protecting himself from the quivering fury of my husband.
“I don’t know how to say this, Olivia, but Giovani is just being paranoid.”
Gio’s shoulders tensed further at the accusation, but he didn’t turn to me yet. I repositioned Elio on my hip and let my father continue.
“I was looking for the bathroom,” he said. “I got lost, found Elio’s room, and thought I might take a look-see at his toys for a later–” He glanced at his all-too-alert grandson in my arms. “For a later surprise.”
Gio turned then, slowly. Every line of his body was taut with tension, but the gaze that met mine lacked any heat. Instead, I found nothing but an open, honest bid for trust. He was begging me, with nothing but his eyes, to believe he wasn’t just paranoid, to trust him over my father.
