“What agenda items?” she asked and he turned her toward the driveway.
“The minivan belongs to my brother Dino, who’s here to see his five sons who have been staying at my house since Sunday. How long they’ll stay is one agenda item.”
“Five sons?”
Vito nodded. “Yeah. Five. It’s been interesting.”
She lifted a brow. “So now your wanting to sleep over at my house makes a lot more sense. You just wanted a good night’s sleep.”
“Like either of us have gotten one of those. Dino’s wife’s been in the hospital, so another agenda item is an update on when she’ll get out. The old VW is Tino’s. The Chevy is Tess’s rental car. The Buick is my father’s, and he’s here to meet you.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “Your father is here? I’m meeting your father? I look awful.”
“You’re beautiful. Please. My dad’s a nice man and wants to meet you.”
Still Sophie held back. “So… where’s your bike?”
His brows lifted. “In the garage with my Mustang. If you’re a good girl I’ll let you see them later.” He hesitated. “Sophie, if this killer is watching you, he’s seen me. I need to make sure my family’s safe. That’s the last agenda item.”
“I hadn’t thought about that,” she murmured. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am. Now, my ass is freezing off out here, so let’s go in.”
Sophie was swept inside a house filled with people. In the kitchen a woman with long, dark curls stood at the stove while a tall man with a little gray at his temples rocked a toddler on his shoulder. At the table a teenaged boy sat with open books, studying. On the sofa a brawny man with silver hair and a child on one knee sat watching a blaring TV. A second kid lay sprawled on his stomach on the living room floor, his eyes fastened to the screen, and a third sat by himself, obviously sulking.
The only person Sophie recognized was Tino, who looked like Sophie had always imagined the Renaissance artists looked with his long flowing hair and sensitive eyes.
Vito closed the door and all activity ceased. It was like she’d walked into a spotlight.
“Well, well.” The woman came to the kitchen doorway, a spoon in her hand and a smile on her face. “So this is the infamous Sophie. I’m Vito’s sister, Tess.”
Sophie had to smile back. “Deliverer of packages. Thank you.”
“Someday you’ll tell me what the significance of that toy is and what the heck is wrong with your receptionist. For now, welcome.” Tess drew her into the living room and introduced everyone rapidly. There were Dino and Dominic. The little boy was Pierce, the bigger boy was Connor, the sulking one was Dante.
Then the big man got up from the sofa and the room seemed suddenly smaller. “I’m Michael, Vito’s father. Tino’s sketch didn’t do you justice.”
Sophie blinked. “What sketch?”
“He wouldn’t stop until I drew your picture,” Tino said and took her hand. “How are you, Sophie? You had a bad shock.”
“Much better now, thanks.” She turned back to Vito’s father. “Your sons are talented and kind men. You should be proud.”
“I am. I’m also happy to finally see Vito with a woman. I was starting to worry that-”
“Pop,” Vito warned, and Sophie cleared her throat.
“Talented, kind, and manly men,” she revised and heard Tess snicker behind her.
Michael smiled and Sophie knew where Vito had gotten his movie-star looks. “Sit down and tell me about your family.”
Tess leaned against Vito’s arm as their father escorted Sophie to the sofa as regally as if it had been a throne. “You are so busted. He’s going to worm every last detail from her by the time you leave. Then I’ll worm the details from him.”
Vito found he didn’t really care. “Sophie can hold her own. We need to talk, Tess.”
The smile in her eyes faded. “I know. Tino told me the killer you’re chasing came to see Sophie yesterday. She’s got to be unnerved.” They sat down at the table with Tino, Dino, and Dominic. “So talk, Vito.”
“You’ve all seen the news. We’ve found a field with a lot of bodies. The man who put them there has been watching Sophie. I’m not letting her out of my sight.”
Dino nodded, his face grim. “And my boys? Are they in any danger?”
“There’s no indication the killer is paying attention to us cops. But he’s smart and knows we’re after him, so I can’t tell you no. I’ll stay away from here until this is over.”
Dino looked torn. “We can’t go back in the house until every square inch of carpet’s been replaced. I can look for a rental place between now and then, but it’ll take me a few more days. Nobody else in the family has a house big enough for all of us.”
“I know Mom and Pop had to sell their place, but I wish they’d done it a little later,” Tino grumbled. “We could have fit ten kids in there.”
But the old house where they’d grown up had stairs, and his parents’ condo was all on one floor, enabling Michael to conserve his energy. Hopefully, every bit would extend his father’s life a little longer, and Vito found himself wishing his father would live to see his own children, who in Vito’s mind had blond hair and bright green eyes.
“We could get a hotel,” Dino said doubtfully.
“No. I think you’re fine here, Dino, really. And when Molly gets out of the hospital you can use the top half of this house. I’ll move downstairs with Tino.”
“He’s right,” Tino said. “Tess and Dom and I will watch the boys, and soon Vito will save the day and we can all go back to normal craziness.”
“And I’ll stick around until Molly’s a hundred percent,” Tess said. “So don’t worry.”
“Your psychiatric practice,” Dino protested. “Your patients.”
“I have my patients covered. I don’t even have that many anymore. I’d cut back.”
Because she’d been trying for babies of her own, Vito realized with regret. Tess would make a great mother. If there was any justice, she’d have the family she wanted.
And so would Sophie. Vito stood up. “I’m going to pack a bag. Dino, plan on moving in whenever you want.”
Tino’s smile was sly. “Maybe big brother is so quick to offer his roof because he knows he’ll soon have another.”
“She’s a looker, Vito,” Dino added with a grin. He nudged Dom. “Don’t you think?”
Dominic blushed. “Stop,” he mumbled.
“He’s got his eye on a girl at school,” Dino said, and Dominic glared at his father.
Tess patted Dominic’s arm. “Relax, Dom, and get used to it. Just hope your grandfather doesn’t get wind of it or you’ll really get the third degree.”
“Third degree about what?” Michael asked, strolling into the kitchen. Without waiting for an answer he began pawing through drawers, messing everything up.
“What are you looking for, Dad?” Vito asked.
“Long-handled wooden spoons and those pointy things for holding corn. Sophie’s showing the boys how to make a trebuchet.”
“Like they needed another way to hurl things at each other,” Dino grumbled, but he got up to help his father look. “A trebuchet, huh? That’s actually pretty cool.”
Tino lifted a brow. “She’s got a fast bike, can make medieval siege weapons out of household items, and has nice… sweaters.”
Dino laughed. “She sounds like a keeper to me, Vito.”
“That’s my cue to exit. Tino, I’d appreciate a hand.” Vito had a granny-cam-related request and didn’t want to ask in front of Tess, who had an understandable aversion to hidden cameras, having been an unwilling victim a few years before.
When Vito returned, his father was on the sofa whittling something from a block of wood. Sophie was on the floor helping the boys build a fort from the books that had once been stacked neatly on his shelves. Pierce looked up, his little face flushed with excitement. “We’re building a castle, Uncle Vito, with a moat and everything.”