Page 34 of Days Of Valentino

“Wait!” Kayleigh calls out before standing. “I, ah…” She looks at Enzo for encouragement? Reassurance? I’m not sure which.

“Oh, come on, just hand over whatever you got. No one expected you to come here without carrying something on you,” I tell her. “You’d be a fucking idiot if you did.”

“Aurora,” Enzo grunts at me.

“Well, she would be. Come on, has anyone even checked her for wires?” I ask the table.

“I did.” Dante holds up a hand.

“You what?” Enzo hisses.

Dante lifts one shoulder into a half shrug. “Can never be too careful. But don’t worry. She’s clean.”

“When? I mean, how?” Kayleigh stutters.

“If I told you that, I’d have to kill you,” Dante deadpans.

“Oh my god, can we all just try to act like a normal fucking family for one fucking meal?” Enzo yells.

“We could, but that would be boring. Come on, sister. Let’s see what you got.” I point to the basket.

Kayleigh removes a knife from her ankle and then another one from her upper thigh, concealed beneath her skirt. “That’s it,” she says.

I grin. “That’s it? We need to hang out. I have so many things I need to teach you.”

“No, you don’t,” Enzo groans.

Kayleigh quietly reclaims her seat, and after the basket is escorted from the room, food is finally delivered to the table.

“Anyone know when Lorenzo is coming home?” I ask.

“Next month. He and Kyla are coming to visit for a couple of weeks,” Dad tells me.

“She pregnant yet?” I hum.

“Not that I know of,” Mom says. “Let’s hope it stays that way. I don’t need to be a grandparent anytime soon.” She glares pointedly at me and then looks across to Enzo.

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan on ever birthing demon spawn.” I laugh.

“You will one day, and you’ll make a great mother.” Mom leans over and kisses my forehead. “But let’s wait until you’re at least thirty.”

“You know, being a young grandma isn’t all that bad,” Zia Katy says while holding up Sebastian.

“For you.I need at least ten years to recover after raising Matteo’s devil children before we add another generation to the mix.” Mom laughs.

“We’re right here, Ma,” Enzo reminds her.

“I know, and I love you all, but your father made a bunch of crazy little monsters,” she tells him.

“Ah, Mama, I’m not crazy. The boys maybe, but not me,” I reply. And everyone at the table laughs. And I meaneveryone. I even hear some of the soldiers try to cover their chuckles with a cough. I scan the room. Everyone… except Kayleigh. “See? This is why I like you the best. Did any of you think that maybe I’m the sane one here and you are all just… I don’t know…insane?”

“She’s fucking serious.” Zio Luca shakes his head.

“I think she actually believes that,” Zio Romeo adds.

“In what universe are you sane, Aurora?” Zio Theo asks me.

“My universe, of course.” I shrug and smile at my uncles. I don’t care if they think I’m crazy. I know I’m not that bad. I mean, I could always be worse. If they knew some of the things I’ve actually done lately, they’d probably be putting me in a strait jacket and closing me up inside a padded cell.

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