Page 27 of Tilly
I see it coming and do nothing to stop his fist from connecting with my face. Like I said, I’d have more of an issue with the man if he didn’t try to get me away from his daughter. Shows me he actually cares about her. Wants what’s best for her. Because what’s best certainly isn’t me.
“Matilda, your mother’s in the kitchen. Go and see if she needs a hand,” Romeo says.
“Nope, I’m good here.” Matilda maneuvers around me to aim her glare at her father. “And that was uncalled for, Papa.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her.
“No, it’s not.” She shakes her head before turning back to Romeo. “Do you think I’m stupid?”
“Of course not. We both know how brilliant you are,” he says.
“Then you should know that the choice to be with Antonio is mine to make, and I choose him. Using the same brain you’ve always praised me for having. So, I ask you again… do you think I’m stupid? Do you think I’m incapable of making an intelligent decision?”
“You’re not stupid. But him? Matilda, you could do better than him,” Romeo grunts.
“Papa, this is my choice, and I’ve made it. Nothing you say or do is going to change my mind.” Tilly stands tall, her spine steeled and her jaw set with determination.
“Matilda, we should talk about this. How about over some gelato?” he asks her.
“I’m not going to Italy with you to have gelato right now, Papa. Oh my god. Mom!” Tilly raises her voice, and her mother comes rushing into the room.
“What’s going on?” Mrs. Valentino asks, then stops short. “Oh… ohhh…” Her eyes widen as she looks at me and our still joined hands. “Okay, well, we knew this day was going to come, Romeo.” She walks over to me and holds out a palm. “I’m Livvy. It’s nice to officially meet you, Antonio.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Valentino.” I drop Tilly’s hand and return her mother’s gesture.
“Okay. Let’s sit down.” Livvy ushers her husband and brother-in-law into the living room and pushes them onto a sofa.
Tilly grabs my arm and leads me to the one opposite them. “There’s, um…” she starts to say and then looks at me.
I pull the envelope out of my pocket and set it on the table in front of us. “This was left on my desk last night.”
Theo is the one to swipe up the envelope. He digs through it without removing any of the contents. “You know who left it?” he asks while passing everything over to Romeo.
“I do,” I tell him. “Spent all night looking for the bastard, but he’s gone underground.”
Romeo’s face pales as he looks at the pictures and then reads the note. “What deal do they want?”
I blink at him. “Not one I was prepared to accept,” I say. “I’ll find him. I just needed you to know that a threat was made. So you all can take whatever precautions you need to take.”
“We’ll find him,” Theo grinds out. “I’m going to need a name. They’ve threatened one of ours. That’s not something I’m going to just let go.”
I nod my understanding. “Hernando,” I say, and see the recognition reflected in his eyes.
Theo looks at his niece. “Tilly, you need to lie low for a couple of days. You should stay here.”
“I’m not staying here… I’m fine,” she insists.
“Actually, you probably should. Just for a couple of days,” I add, and Tilly’s head shoots in my direction.
“Why can’t I stay with you?”
Theo and Romeo both growl in response. “Matilda, that’s not fucking happening,” her father says. “Need I remind you it’s because of him that someone is targeting you?”
“No, it’s not. It’s because someone can’t take no for an answer. This is not Antonio’s fault. And if I want to leave with him, I’m going to leave with him,” she says.
I look at her, my shocked expression matching her father’s slightly dropped jaw and uncle’s wide eyes. Tilly isn’t really one to speak up like this. She’s usually quiet, more reserved. But damn, if her standing up for me right now isn’t hot as fuck.
“It’s okay, Matilda. If you want to come home, I’ll take you home, obviously. But I agree with your family. I think the best place for you right now is with them. The men here… they’re loyal to you. They’re going to do everything in their power to protect you.”
