Page 61 of Days Of Valentino

“Livvy, holy shit, we’re not going,” I tell my wife when I find her standing in front of the mirror in our bedroom. She’s wearing a long red dress that hugs all of her curves. I don’t know how but this woman gets more beautiful every day. I fall in love with her more and more every day too.

“We’re going. Wipe that look off your face and save it for later,” Livvy replies.

“What if…?”

“Nope, your mother is expecting us. I’m not going to turn up to your parents’ house late and looking disheveled because you can’t control your urges.” My wife laughs.

“It’s your fault I have urges. If you didn’t look so fucking delectable all the time, I wouldn’t be so horny whenever I see you.”

“Ew, gross. You’re going to have to increase my trust fund because my therapy bill is going to be huge.” Tilly walks into the room, ruining any chances I had at convincing my wife to ditch the dinner plans and stay in bed with me.

“Sweetheart, I didn’t know you were coming around.” I hug my daughter.

“We’re going to dinner with you,” she says.

Tilly moved out a few months back, but I swear she’s still here every day. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. If it were up to me, she never would have moved out to begin with.

“Let’s go. Is Dante on his way?” Livvy asks.

“Last I heard from him, he was at Theo’s,” I tell her, taking my wife’s hand as we walk downstairs together.

My daughter’s boyfriend is waiting by the door. The same boyfriend I wish I could fucking shoot and bury in a shallow grave somewhere.

“Antonio, it’s good to see you,” Livvy greets him with a one-armed hug because I refuse to let go of her other hand.

“It’s good to see you too, Mrs. Valentino. You look beautiful, as always,” the cocksucker says.

“Thank you.”

“Does anyone have any idea what this dinner is about?” Tilly asks.

“Nope. Nonno didn’t tell you anything?” I press. My daughter is usually able to get all the secrets out of my father.

“Nothing. I tried. He just said to be there on time. And that everyone was coming,” Tilly says.

“Guess there is only one way to find out. Let’s go.” I lead my family and Antonio out the front door.

Walking into my parents’ house, I can tell almost everyone is already here. My family is a bunch of loud fuckers. I don’t think they understand the meaning of talking quietly. But it’s not until I step out onto the porch that I know the reason for the noise. My cousins Lily and Hope are here with their husbands and children.

Guess Pops wasn’t fucking around when he told Tillyeveryonewould be here. “Hey, when did you all get into town?” I ask, hugging Lily first.

“Yesterday. You’re losing your touch, Romeo. How did you not know?” She laughs.

“I do have a city to run. Believe it or not, I’m not keeping tabs on you two 24/7,” I tell her. Truth is, I do keep tabs on all my family. What’s the point of knowing how to hack into any system if I don’t put it to good use?

Even my niece, Aurora, who thinks she’s off the radar and keeping herself hidden. I know where she is at all times. It’s one of the first things I do each day. Check on her. I might not be able to control what she’s up to, but I can make sure she’s as protected as possible.

“I heard Luc got shot again,” Hope says. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine.” I hug my other cousin. “Probably going to wobble in here like he lost a leg, though.”

“I’m sure.” Hope laughs.

“Do you have any idea why we’ve all been summoned here?” Lily asks me.

“You guys were called here? By whom?”

“Me,” Pops says from behind us, and I pivot to face him.

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