Page 59 of Days Of Valentino

“That’s impossible. No one could hate you, babe. I know 'cause I hate everyone but you.” I smile.

“You’re biased.” She laughs.

“Maybe, but it’s true. Zia Katy doesn’t hate you. Besides, Zio Luca has been shot plenty of times before,” I tell her, standing up and grabbing Josie’s hand to drag her with me. “I really need to get some painkillers. My head is killing me.”

“I am sorry about the drugs,” she says.

“I know.” I should say I forgive her, but I’m not letting her off that easily. I know I’m an ass. But deep down, I think she knows I’d forgive her for anything. I meant what I said. There is nothing Josie could do that would make me love her less. “Wanna play a game?” An idea pops into my head, knowing my cousin is waiting on the other side of that door for me.

“Always. What are we playing?” Josie replies.

“Okay, I’m going to yell, break up with you, and storm out. You’re going to slam the door and tell me where to go.”

“I don’t like this game, Dante,” she says while worrying her bottom lip.

“Relax. It’s just to fuck with Orlando.” I laugh. He’s listening, and I want to make him sweat.

“Oh, okay. You’re coming back though, right?” Josie asks.

“Always. I will always come back to you, no matter where you are.” I lean in and kiss her again. “Now, get ready to act upset, babe.”

“It’s not hard, because if you really did break up with me, I’d probably die,” she says.

“Good thing that’s never happening,” I tell her, then yell, “Seriously, Josie, I can’t believe you fucking drugged me!” I wince when she jumps, and quickly add on a whisper, “Sorry.”

“Yeah, well, if you weren’t such an overbearing asshole, I wouldn’t have had to!” Josie yells back, almost a little too convincingly before lowering her voice, “Sorry, I don’t mean that.”

I smile at her, drop it, and tug the door open. “I’m done. I can’t do this anymore. It’s over.” I shake my head and shove past a stunned-looking Orlando.

“Yeah, well, good. It’s about time I live my life for myself anyway. Don’t bother coming back!” Josie yells at me and then slams the door in my cousin’s face.

“Whoa, Dante. What the fuck?” Orlando runs to catch up with me. I hide my smile. “You can’t break up with her. Go and fix it,” he says, stepping in front of me. Trying to block my exit.

“I’m done. She fucking drugged me,” I grunt at him, shoving my cousin out of the way for a second time.

“This city doesn’t need a pissed-off Valentino, especially not you. Go and fix this,” he repeats while following me into my uncle’s kitchen. “You and Josie are end game.”

“Yeah, well, the game’s ended. I’m out.” I open the top cabinet, where I know my aunt keeps painkillers. Grab two from the bottle and then fill up a glass of water. “She’s out of her fucking mind if she thinks this is fixable.”

“You can’t be serious,” he says with wide eyes. “Dante, dude. What the fuck are you going to do without her?”

“Good question. Maybe I’ll just give up. No point in going on anyway, right?” I walk off. “If you follow me, I will shoot you,” I call over a shoulder.

“Pfft, you won’t shoot me,” he says.

I pause in my tracks, not bothering to look at him when I reply, “You sure?”

Thatstops him. I walk outside and climb up the side of the house. This isn’t the first time I’ve snuck into my girlfriend’s bedroom. It won’t be the last either.

Once I’m on her balcony, I knock on the glass door and a smiling Josie rushes over to open it. “You came back.”

“Did you doubt that I would?” I frown at her.

Josie lifts one shoulder. “Let’s not play that game again.”

“Agreed.” I scoop her up and carry her over to the bed. “But he totally thinks I’m about to burn down the city. You should see his face.”

“It’s a little mean to make your cousin worry about you,” Josie murmurs.

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