Page 44 of Days Of Valentino

“It’s my fault,” I tell Dante as I pace up and down my bedroom. My really nice freaking bedroom.

“It’s not,” he replies. Dante is sprawled out on my bed. Shirtless. I think he has a death wish. If my adoptive father were to come in here and see his nephew like this—well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be good. Theo might actually kill him.

I’ve never had anyone look out for me the way the Valentino family does. And nobody has ever loved me like Dante. His love is the all-consuming type. It knows no bounds and is unconditional.

But my new family? Dante’s aunt and uncle who adopted me and got me out of the foster system? They also love hard. And protect harder. It frustrates the hell out of Dante how protective his uncle is of me. Theo really does treat me like I’m his flesh-and-blood daughter.

I’ve been trying to do everything right. I don’t want to cause the Valentinos any trouble. I don’t want to find myself out on the street when they decide I’m not worth it. I really like it here, and I really love this family.

I stop and stare at my boyfriend. “Can you put on a shirt? All of that is distracting.” I wave my hand at his bare chest and abs.Very defined abs. My eyes sticking to the V that forms at the bottom.

“Hey, Josie, wanna play a game?” Dante asks with a lustful look in his eyes.

“With you? Always. What are we playing?”

Dante has this way of making everything disappear. He can always take my mind off whatever I’m stressed about. And I can’t refuse him his games. I’m a little addicted to them.

“We’re at a high school party. You’ve just spun the bottle and it’s landed on me. Which means it’s our turn for seven minutes in heaven.” He stands and swipes his shirt from the floor. “Meet me in the pantry in two minutes.”

“You want to play seven minutes in heaven in the pantry? Someone will find us,” I warn him.

“Who’s going to find us? We’re at a party. Remember? There’s no one in this house besides a bunch of drunken, horny teenagers.” Dante throws his shirt over his head, covering all thegoodness I was busy perving on. His lips meet mine briefly. “See you down there.” And then, like a ninja, he’s gone.

The boy can move quick. I think it’s all the training his father and uncles make him do. They’re very keen on everyone knowing self-defense around here. Alessandro has even given me shooting lessons, and Dante insists on teaching me how to fight. I can hold my own. I’m no wilting violet. But this family? They’re next level when it comes to standing up for what’s theirs.

I know I’m supposed to be playing Dante’s game, but as I make my way downstairs, my stomach fills with guilt. Theo was shot a few weeks ago, and I just found out it has something to do with me. I was trying to talk to Dante about it and he dismissed my concern, telling me it’s being handled and I didn’t need to worry about it.

I am worried, though. And I feel guilt. So much guilt. Also, I’m confused as to why someone would shoot my adoptive father because of me.

I stop short outside Theo’s office. There are two guards standing on each side of the door. “You need to go in?” one of them asks me.

I chew on my bottom lip. Dante is waiting for me in the pantry. I should go straight there. I don’t, though. Instead, I nod my head and the door is pushed open for me.

Theo is sitting behind his desk. He looks up, his eyes full of shock as I enter the room. I don’t come in here. I don’t ever bother him while he’s working.

“Josie, everything okay?” he asks while standing from his chair. He walks around to the front of his desk.

“I overheard something. I wasn’t eavesdropping. Just happened to walk in at the right—or wrong—time,” I tell him.

“What did you overhear?” Theo asks, leaning back against his desk.

“That you got shot because of me,” I rush out.

Theo shakes his head before lifting a curious brow. “Who did you hear that from?”

I don’t lie to my new parents, but I’m also not about to rat out my new brother either. “I… ah… don’t remember?” My statement comes out more like a question.

“You’re far too young to be having memory problems.” Theo smirks. “I was shot because someone wanted to shoot me. It has nothing to do with you, Josie. The actions of others are not your doing.”

“I know that. But… why would someone shoot you? I mean, I don’t know anyone. I don’t know anything. Who would want to hurt you because of me?” I ask him.

Theo sighs. “A former foster father of yours. Guy’s been in hiding ever since Dante made that list of his. We haven’t been able to find him. Looks like he decided to come find us instead.”

“Dante’s list?” I parrot. “What list?”

“That’s a question for Dante. I believe you’ll find him in the pantry.” Theo’s lips tip up at the corners. Nothing happens in this house he doesn’t know about.

“I’m really sorry. I don’t want to cause problems for you,” I tell Theo.

---