Page 32 of Days Of Valentino

Neo returns my embrace, his lips pressing to the top of my head. “I’m never leaving you, Lola. Promise. I just… I don’t know how to make sure everyone will be okay without me here.”

“If anything were to happen to you, we would all be heartbroken. Obviously. But we would be okay, Neo. Angelica is the strongest woman I know. And Izzy? You taught her how to be her own savior. She also has her husband. And me and Helena. We’re not alone. It would suck losing you. But we will all help each other.”

“I might not be dying tonight but someone will be,” Neo grunts.

I take a step back and glare at him. “Who?”

“Mabilia is bringing a boyfriend to the party. Can you believe some punk-ass kid has the nerve to turn up here with my granddaughter?” he growls.

I don’t even know what to say to that. Instead, I just smile. “You can’t keep them little forever. They all grow up eventually.”

“Do you ever regret it?”

“What?”

“Not having children of your own?” he asks.

I didn’t have a choice. The choice to have children was taken from me. I know I could have adopted, gotten a surrogate or something. But I didn’t want to be responsible for keeping a child safe. There is too much darkness lurking in this world. I wasn’t going to raise an innocent child amongst that darkness.

I shake my head. “I don’t. I’m happy it’s just me and James.”

Episode Fourteen

Being back in New York is… not what I expected. I thought I’d get those warm, fuzzy,coming homefeelings, you know. Then again, I don’t do warm and fuzzy. If I ever do, just do me a solid and shoot me.

I’m here for one reason and one reason only: my brother. When I heard Enzo shacked up with some chick, I was curious asto who managed to capture his cold heart. Then I heard she was a Fed, and that curiosity quickly morphed into rage.

Being halfway across the world didn’t help. I’m not supposed to show my face in New York. Not yet anyway. But then again, when have I ever done anything I’m supposed to do? Life is too short to live every second by some lame-ass rules set out by old fucks who live in the past. But now isn’t the time to be thinking about the events that had me leaving this city. Leaving my family…

Nope, it’s the time to find out everything I can about my brother’s new girlfriend. Lunch is always a blast at my grandparents. With Enzo bringing Kayleigh, though, I’m sure it’s going to be even more entertaining.

I attack my brother as soon as he steps out of the car. “Enzo!” I yell out at the top of my lungs before lunging at him, throwing my whole body into his. My arms wrap around his neck.

“Thought you were a little busy. Why are you here? Are you sure you should be home right now?” Enzo asks when he lets go of me.

“What kind of sister would I be if I missed this?” I do my best to appear sweet and innocent. Although, judging by the look on his face, I’m really not pulling it off too well.

“Aurora, behave. Please,” Enzo pleads in a hushed tone.

“I always do.” My lips tilt up as I turn my attention to the stunning woman standing next to my brother. I’ve seen pictures of Kayleigh. I knew she was beautiful. But photos don’t do this chick justice. “Hi, I’m Aurora, the baby sister and the person who’s going to rip your heart right out of your chest and shove it up your ass if you ever hurt my brother.” I deliver my threat with a smile on my face and cheer in my tone.

The girl probably thinks I’m joking. I’m not. I’d have no problem tearing her heart out with a pair of eyelash curlers if I had to.

My brother growls a warning that I totally ignore.

“I’m Kayleigh. I’m the one who’d rip my own heart out before hurting his. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you,” she says before her arms wrap around me.

She catches me by surprise and, honestly, I have no idea what to do. And then I realize maybe she’s not that bad—you know, if you take out the wholebeing a copthing.

“Fucking finally. It’s about time one of you brought someone interesting into the family,” I tell Enzo as soon as Kayleigh releases her grip on me. “I like her, Enzo. We’re keeping her.” With that, I turn around and walk into the house.

I really couldn’t care less if we keep her. But you know that saying about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer? That’s my plan with this girl.

Is she still our enemy? Right now, I have no fucking idea. What I won’t do is sit by and wait for her to attack my family. Everyone claims she’s quit her job, but can someone really make the change from cop to criminal that easily?

I walk through my grandparents’ house and head straight for the kitchen, because that’s where my nonna will likely be and she’s one of my favorite people. I’m assaulted by the smell of food. My mouth waters. I haven’t had decent Italian food in months.

“Nonna, it smells so good in here,” I tell her.

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