Macca stared down at his grandmother. He hated feeling so helpless. He’d give anything to be able to help her. A headache throbbed and he rubbed at the back of his neck. Since kicking that little thief out this morning, he’d been restless. Uncertain.
He was never uncertain of things. He was used to making quick decisions. He didn’t second-guess himself.
So why did he feel like he’d made a horrible mistake?
He shook it off. Whoever Gigi was, she shouldn’t have been in his grandmother’s house, going through her stuff. He’d probably been too easy on her. He should have called the cops. Except there had been this look in her eyes. She stared at him like a lost little girl, and he couldn’t do it.
Maybe you should have spanked her instead.
Right. And get himself arrested instead. He sighed. Ever since his friends and co-workers had started to find their Littles, he’d been feeling kind of down. He’d longed for a Little of his own for years. The ache was growing almost every day. Macca had a hugely protective streak. Which was probably why he hadn’t called the cops on Gigi this morning. Most likely a mistake, but he didn’t expect he’d ever see her again.
A low noise came from his nan and he stood, leaning over her. Normally, her light blue eyes sparkled with warmth and life, she wasn’t one to let anything hold her back. She’d never appeared fragile to him.
“Nan? Are you awake?”
She blinked her eyes, looking confused. “Oh, Alexander. What are you doing here?” She stared around the room, looking puzzled. “This isn’t my room.”
He had to take a slow, deep breath to keep his emotions from overcoming him. He’d been warned she might be disorientated if she woke.
“You’re not at home, Nan. You haven’t been feeling well.”
“I’m in the hospital?”
“Yes,” he lied. The hospice unit was far nicer than any hospital he’d been in, but he didn’t want to tell her where she actually was. Pain hit him hard and fast, threatening to knock down the wall he’d erected to protect himself. He couldn’t let anything through. If he broke right now, he might not be able to put himself back together.
“Would you like a drink?” he asked.
“Alexander.” She stared at him. “You’re really here?”
“I am.” He smiled at her warmly.
“You look tired,” she murmured. “Are you sleeping? Eating?”
That was his nan, always caring for everyone else.
“I’m fine,” he told her. “I’m here to look after you.”
“Oh, I’m in good hands. Georgina always takes good care of me.”
“Georgina?” He stilled. A bad feeling filled him. “Who is Georgina?”
“My right hand,” his nan said with a fond smile. “Such a good girl. Have you not met her yet?”
He had a bad feeling he might have.
“Does she shorten her name to Gigi?”
“Yes. You’ve met her then?” She glanced around. “Where is she?” A note of panic filled her voice.
Fuck. Okay, so it seemed he owed Gigi a big apology.
“I’m sure she’ll be here soon,” Macca told her soothingly. “She was here yesterday when I arrived.”
“She was? Oh good. I worry about her, when I. . .when I. . .” A look of sadness flooded her voice. His heart seized. Emotion smashed against his shield.
Just hold on a bit longer.
“Don’t worry about Gigi. She’s a big girl. She can look after herself.”