Page 33 of Days Of Valentino

She spins around and gasps as she wipes her hands on her apron. “Aurora, oh my gosh! Get over here,” she says while holding out her arms. “No one told me you were coming home.”

“I’m just here for the weekend,” I tell her and immediately regret it when her face drops.

“Well, let me get a good look at you. Have you lost weight?” she asks, running her eyes up and down my body as she holds me at arm’s length.

“No.” I laugh. “I’m good. Promise. How are you?”

“I’m good, honey. Come on. Do your parents know you’re here?” she asks me.

“Ah… I figured it’d be better if I just surprised everyone,” I admit.

“Right, well, let’s get this done now, so we can eat.” Nonna leads me to the back patio, where (judging from the noise) the rest of the family is hanging out. “Look who came for lunch,” my grandmother announces, causing all eyes to turn my way.

My mom is the first to jump from her seat, tears in her eyes as she practically runs over to me. “Baby, oh god.” She sighs into my hair as she holds me tight against her chest.

“Mama, I missed you.” I return her embrace.

“Please tell me you’re back for good,” she whispers.

I stay silent, because I can’t tell her that. I don’t want to hurt her, but I can’t give her what she wants either. “I’m sorry,” I whisper back.

“Come here.” My dad pulls me into his arms. “God, I fucking missed your crazy ass, princess,” he says.

“Well, obviously. Iamthe most interesting child you have.” I laugh.

After everyone takes turns hugging me—and I take extra-long introducing myself to my cousin Orlando’s baby because Sebastian is just the cutest thing I’ve ever seen—I sit between my parents at the table.

“Okay, everyone, sit your asses down. We’re eating.” Nonno’s voice booms over all the chatter. Everyone, and I mean everyone, stops talking at once. My nonno might not be the boss anymore, but he is still very much the head of the family. And when he talks, you listen. “Weapons out,” he adds before gesturing to the huge basket in the middle of the table.

I look across to Kayleigh, waiting to see her reaction as we all disarm. To her credit, she doesn’t flinch when Enzo is the first tostand up and place two pistols, one knife, and a pair of knuckle-busters inside the basket.

“If you steal my shit again, I’m going to tell Zio Theo about our early-morning phone call the other day,” my brother says while directing his glare at Dante.

Dante shakes his head but doesn’t utter a word. I do, however, notice how Josie’s back straightens. Whatever happened on that phone call, she does not want it getting out.

Everyone takes turns standing up and relinquishing their weapons.

“Okay, Aurora, let’s have it.” Zio Theo waves a hand in my direction.

I know what they’re expecting. I’m usually carrying all kinds of shit wherever I can stick it. I’m not today, though. Today, I only have one weapon on me. I push up from my seat, reach behind my back, and remove the gold-plated, diamond-encrusted forty-five I stashed in my waistband and place it in the basket.

“Anyone touches it, I’ll cut your fingers off,” I warn.

“Who the fuck gave you a gun?” my dad growls.

“It was a gift. And I like it,” I tell him.

“I’m going to fucking kill him…” My father’s knuckles turn white as he grips the butter knife in his hand.

“No, you’re not. Besides, I haven’t even killed anyone with it yet.” I shrug. “It sure does look pretty though.”

“It does,” my cousin Tilly agrees. “I want one too.”

“Not happening,” her fiancée grunts at the same time my Zio Romeo says, “Hell no.”

“Don’t worry, Matilda. I’ll get you one for Christmas,” I tell her. “Just because we’re girls doesn’t mean we can’t use a gun.” I aim my smirk at my father and uncles, who are all giving me their own version of a death glare.

Zio Theo nods to one of the soldiers standing by the door, silently signaling the guy to come and collect the basket.

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