The Santinis: Marco, Book 2 Read Online Free Page A

on their way back from the beach. Hold on.”
    She moved the phone away. “Leo? Your wife is on the phone.”
    He took off in a sprint toward her. “What’s wrong?”
    She laughed and handed him the phone. “Sounds like nothing but she couldn’t get ahold of any of you.”
    He took the phone. “Hey, babe, what’s up?”
    He was quiet for a few minutes. “No I’m not by myself. I’m on Alana’s phone, so she’s standing right here. Why do I need to sit down?”
    He shot a smile at Alana as he listened. Then, the grin dissolved and he went white. It happened so fast, she was afraid he would pass out.
    “Lieutenant,” she yelled out as she reached out for Leo.
    “What’s the matter?” Marco asked.  
    She had a hold of Leo’s arm. “I don’t know, I think its bad news.”
    Marco looked at his brother. “Leo?”
    “How far?” Leo asked. He laughed. “Of course I’m happy. Why wouldn’t I be happy?”
    “Have you called your father and my parents?”
    Silence again.  
    “Okay. Wow. I mean, shouldn’t you be in bed resting.”  
    She shared a look with Marco and shrugged as the other two brothers joined them.
    “I’ll call you in the morning. Call your dad and I’ll call Mom. She will flip out.”
    He hung up the phone handed it to Alana, then grabbed her by her upper arms and gave her a loud, smacking kiss.
    “Hey,” Marco said.
    “Can’t help it. Had to kiss a pretty woman because I am going to be a father.”
    There was a moment of stunned silence then they all started talking at once. Questions and pats on the back from the others, but apparently Marco wasn’t as happy as the others. He was frowning at Leo.  
    “You can let go of her, Leo,” Marco said.
    “Oh, sorry,” he said with a sheepish smile.
    She smiled and patted his arm. “No problem, Leo. Congratulations, daddy.”
    He went white again. “Daddy.”
    She laughed and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
    “This calls for a celebration,” Vince said. “Know a good place to eat, Alana?”
    “Sure, what are you looking for? Dressy or just hanging out?”
    “I think a hanging out kind of place. How about one of the shrimp trucks we passed?”
    “Yeah, that will be good. I can give you directions if you can’t remember how to get there. Let me get a pad of paper to write on.”
    “Why would you do that?” Vince asked.
    “So that you can find your way.”
    “Vince means he expects you to go with us,” Gee said. “You can sit in the backseat with me.”
    “She’ll be sitting with me up front to give me directions.”
    She glanced at Marco and wondered about his tone. “Maybe since it’s my SUV and I know where I’m going, I should drive.”
    “Give us a chance to wash up and we’ll meet up with you out front in about twenty,” Vince said.  
    “I would make that thirty if I were you, Vince, there’s only one shower,” Marco said.
    “I call shower first,” Gee yelled and took off running.  
    “Damn,” Vince muttered. He and Leo tore off after their brother.
    “You don’t have to go with us if you don’t want to,” Marco said after a few moments.
    “I don’t mind, unless you do.”
    “No.”
    Another long moment of silence.  
    “I guess I should go get ready.”
    She nodded and he kept staring at her.
    “What?” she asked.
    “Are we cool?”
    For a second she didn’t know what he was talking about, then it hit her. His comments from this morning still bothered her, but she wouldn’t let him know that. Her pride wouldn’t allow for that.
    “Yeah, we’re cool, lieutenant. You might want to hurry because I have a feeling your brothers will have no trouble leaving without you.”
    He sighed. “See you in a few.”
    She watched him walk away, her gaze slipping down his body. When he turned the corner she sighed. She couldn’t seem to keep her mind or her attention off his body. Seriously, what woman could?   And she had just agreed to have dinner with all four of them.
    She had to be insane.
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