Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
I’m surprised to hear that. From my perspective, everyone despises absolutely everything I do, and nothing’s ever good enough. “That’s nice to hear,” I admit.
“Valentina’s a part of that. I get it, she’s not the right kind of girl for the boss of the family, but if there hadn’t already been whispers about your leadership before her, I doubt anyone would’ve really cared.”
I grunt and lean back. So much for feeling all right for a moment there. “And now here we are. She’s living at my place for the foreseeable future, until I can get Julien to agree to leave her alone.”
Niall gestures at my phone. “Go ahead and call him then.”
“I’m not in any hurry.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. You two are actually together, aren’t you?”
“Something like that. I’m not really sure what you’d call it.”
“Fuck buddies, maybe?”
I give him a hard look. “Don’t degrade her like that.”
“Ah, so you’re more. That’s good. I was worried you were just into her because she’s pretty.”
“Yeah, well, it’s more.” I stare at my friend, and I feel strangely vulnerable for the first time in a long time. I don’t have relationships and I sure as fuck don’t talk about women. They’re a distraction most of the time. But now Niall knows I’m infatuated with Valentina, or at least he’s figuring out how serious I am about it, and I feel like I’ve shown too much of myself. Even to him.
“Good. That’s a good thing. The cousins might not love Italians, but they’ll respect you more if she’s not just a mistress.” Niall pushes his chair back and stands. “You don’t have to worry, cousin. I’m not going to tell anybody about her. Aside from the fact that you’ve got my loyalty, I would also prefer not to see our family descend into civil war.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
He waves a hand like it’s no big deal and goes to leave. As he steps out, another person’s in the hall. He moves aside, gesturing for Valentina to move past him. “We were just talking about you,” he says.
“Good things?” she asks, looking over at me.
“Mostly.” Niall winks behind her back and heads off.
Valentina watches him go then sits in the chair he just vacated. “What was that about? You two making up?”
“Yeah, something like that.” I stare at her, aching to pull her across the desk and into my lap. “You all good?”
“I wanted to talk about last night.” Her face is set, and I can’t tell if she’s here to apologize or what. “I understand why you feel the way you feel.”
“You made a choice for me that could impact my entire family. It’s a big deal.”
She nods slowly. “I get that. From my perspective, I was trying to stop two friends from getting into a feud for no good reason, but I understand that I was being a little too shortsighted.”
My anger begins to dissipate. Valentina’s a very, very proud person, and coming here must’ve been hard, much less sitting down and admitting that she could have been wrong. “I appreciate you saying that.”
“And I might have overreacted when you brought up the Capo thing.” Her gaze slips down. “Last night wasn’t my best.”
That finally cracks me. I hate seeing her like this. Valentina is big and bold, she’s strong and hard, and right now she seems tired and slightly defeated, and I can’t be having that.
“Come here, love.”
She looks up. Something in her expression sharpens. “Where’s here?”
I gesture at my lap. “Come and sit.”
She doesn’t move. “I’m comfortable here.”
“I want you to get up and come sit in my lap right now, love, or this conversation is over. I don’t give a damn what else you have to say.”
She laughs, cheeks turning red. I love it when she gets flustered. But slowly, she gets up, comes around the desk, close enough that I can reach out and pull her the last foot. I love her soft ass in my lap and the smell of her hair.
“All right, I’m in your lap,” she says, squirming slightly as my hands brush against her hips.
“I am not using you for your information.” I lean forward and kiss her neck. “If you want to back out, you can back out at any time. You’re not a prisoner. I don’t own you.”
“I know that.” Her breathing quickens. “Rocco’s just been as difficult as possible lately, and I took it out on you.”
“All right, so long as we’re clear. If you want to discuss the next Capo, I’m open to it.”
“I do. We should.” She looks at me and leans forward. “But kiss me first, okay?”
“I missed you last night.” I lean forward and bury her mouth with mine. This feels better—this feels right. It was a cold, lonely evening in bed, and I don’t want to repeat it again. “I’m glad you came here.”