Lissy Romano

43| Bodyguard.

Lissy Romano

I was sitting in the kitchen when Vincenzo walked in. He was finally home. He didn't leave me.

"Lissy, what are you doing here?" Vincenzo asked, clearly confused as he saw me.

"I was waiting for you to come home," I said. "Where's Domenico, Davide, and Giovanni?" I added, furrowing my eyebrows.

"They stayed there longer. Where's Jax?" Vincenzo asked as he kissed my forehead and walked past me.

"Jax is in my room, in his playpen sleeping. Dante told me you were at the nightclub. Why were you there?" I asked, curious.

"We met my best friend Andrew and his wife Ava. You'll meet them this weekend. Ava can't wait to finally meet you," he said as he grabbed a bottle of water and sipped from it.

"Do you think they'll like me?" I asked nervously.

If Andrew is Vincenzo's best friend, I need to leave a good first impression. And Ava can't wait to meet me? I'd better make sure they like me.

"Lissy, they'll love you. Andrew knows you almost as well as I do. We've been best friends since we were born, so he already likes you. That's one of the reasons he came back to town," Vincenzo said, and the weight lifted from my shoulders.

"That's good," I breathed out loudly.

"You're a good secret keeper, right?" he asked.

I blinked a few times before nodding.

"Don't tell anyone, but Ava told me she's pregnant. She and Andrew are having a baby, and I'll be the godfather," Vincenzo said, smiling with excitement.

"No way! That's amazing!" I said, walking over and hugging him tightly.

"Whoa, Lissy, you're such a sweetheart," he said, kissing the top of my head.

"Can I go to school tomorrow? Vi and Cole asked if I'd be there," I said, looking up at him.

"Lissy, about that... Don't you think it'd be better if you were homeschooled?" he asked.

"No. I want to go to my school. I have friends there," I said firmly.

"Okay, okay... but I'm hiring a bodyguard for you," he said, running a hand through my hair.

"A bodyguard? Vincenzo, I don't need a babysitter," I said, making eye contact with him.

"He won't be a babysitter. He'll just make sure you're okay. He won't let anyone near you. You'll be safe; no one will hurt you," Vincenzo replied, just as firm.

"I get your point, but... ugh... what will my friends and classmates think..." I sighed.

"I'd feel better knowing someone I trust is looking out for you. It doesn't mean I don't trust you. It's just about keeping you safe while you're outside this house," he explained.

"Fine. As long as I can have my privacy in the girls' locker room and washroom. And as long as he doesn't listen in on me and my friends' conversations," I said.