The Claim by Billy London

Author:Billy London [London, Billy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Her head feeling like it was full of static, Anna didn’t know she was at Rocco’s house until he opened the door. “Hi!” he beamed at her, his dark eyes glowing with pleasure. Is that really for me? she thought. The fight with Imogen was still rippling over her, and she really was finding it difficult to form words. “Are you okay, Annie?”

“Who is it?” Anna heard Nonna yell from inside.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Rocco lifted a brow. “Who the hell are you and what did you do with Anna Taylor?”

“What?”

“You apologised,” he said slowly.

“No, I just— Look, I didn’t mean to interrupt you at dinner. I honestly don’t know what I’m doing here. I’ll go.”

Rocco caught her by the arm and pulled her inside. “I’m glad you’re here.” He closed the door behind her, tucked her hand into his own and tugged her toward his dining room. “Nonna, look who dropped by.”

Nonna Mamione had her glasses around her neck topping a twinset, and a long grey skirt printed with white flowers. “My lawyer! You look upset. Have some of this.”

She poured something that looked like lemonade into a glass. “You’re not driving, are you? Rocky, don’t let her get in a car after this.”

Rocco pressed a kiss to her temple. “A sip may just knock you out, so just before you pass out remember you came here voluntarily.”

She laughed. “Yeah. I will. Thank you, Mrs. Mamione.”

Nonna frowned. “Hmm. What did I tell you?”

“No fighting,” Rocco commanded. “Annie, sit down, grab a plate and help yourself.”

“What are you eating?” she asked, and as soon as she approached the table her stomach grumbled. Rocco curved his hands around her waist.

“Sea bass and basil mash. Let me take your coat.” She unravelled herself from the coat and sat down.

“No Mama Mamione tonight?” Anna asked.

Nonna rolled her eyes. “She’s having an evening off from me, so I’ve come to my grandson’s. Do you like fish?”

“I do. No, no, you don’t have to serve me.”

“Be quiet, we’ve only just sat down to eat. We were talking and making dessert first.”

Anna perked up. “What did you make?”

“Triple-layered cherry mousse cake.”

She nearly melted into a puddle on the chair. “That sounds good.”

Nonna pushed a plate with two huge pieces of fish, cherry tomatoes, olives, sitting on top of pale green-coloured mashed potato and what smelled like chili oil. “Now eat.”

Rocco re-entered the room with another glass. “For your water. You’ll need it when you’ve had that cocktail.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Nonna, you’ve got the most deliberately unsteady hand when it comes to pouring alcohol. I’m just giving Annie fair warning.” He sat next to Anna, his hand warm on her thigh as he started eating with his other hand. Neither he nor Nonna pressed her into their conversation, but they both spoke in English, an invitation for her to join in when she was ready. The fish melted in the mouth and the chili oil had the most wonderful level of heat. Politeness stopped her from licking her plate clean.

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