Page 63 of Days Of Valentino

“Aurora, sweetheart, you made it.” I hold out my arms, and my granddaughter runs right into them.

“I missed you so much. As if I wouldn’t be here when you ask me to come,” she says.

My eyes stay on the Irish fucker standing in the doorway. His eyes, however, stay firmly planted on my granddaughter. Fucking idiot just walked into the enemy’s house and he’s acting like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“Thank you,” I tell Aurora before gesturing to the basket. “You know the drill.”

“Really, Nonno?” she huffs.

“I made them all do it. It’s only fair you both do it too,” I tell her.

“Fine. It’s not like I need any of these anyway,” she says as she starts to unload everything she’s somehow managed to hide on herself. It really is an art how many weapons the girl can secure on her person.

When she’s finished, she turns to Connor fucking O’Malley. The reason my granddaughter hasn’t been home for the past six months. “Weapons,” she says to him.

The little prick walks up to Aurora. “You sure about this?”

She nods her head. “I’m certain it’ll be fine.”

Connor retrieves his own stash of weapons, which is somehow more than what my granddaughter had on her.

“Anyone ever tell you two that you’re fucking paranoid fuckers?” I shake my head. “Come on, everyone is outside.” Ilead Aurora and Connor, who are walking hand in hand behind me, out to the back deck. Where the rest of the family is waiting.

“Oh, fuck no.” Lorenzo stands from his seat.

“Sit the fuck down.” I point at him.

“No fucking way, Nonno.” Enzo stands next.

“Aurora, princess?” Matteo pushes back from his seat, circling the table to approach his daughter.

“Hey, Papa,” she says with a smile. “Surprise.” Usually she’d be in his arms by now, but she’s not letting go of that fucker’s hand.

“Baby, I didn’t know you were coming.” Savvy runs over and pulls Aurora into a hug. She returns it with her free arm.

“I’m going to kill him,” Lorenzo grunts.

“No, you’re not.” Aurora glares at her oldest brother.

“Yeah, who’s going to stop me? You?” He laughs.

“No, me. Sit the fuck down, all of you,” Theo yells over the chatter.

Everyone stops talking. Everyone except Lorenzo, who grumbles, “The night is young. Plenty of time for blood.”

“Come on, sit down,” I tell Aurora and Connor. Once the two of them are seated, I walk back over to my chair and hold out my hand to Holly, guiding her to her feet. “I wanted the whole family here for this. Bray and Reilly couldn’t join us in person, so they’ll be here on video chat.”

“Oh my god, T, what’s going on?” Holly asks, looking at her sister and brother-in-law as soon as they pop up on the large screen behind us.

“We’re getting married,” I tell her.

“Um… we’re already married, T. Have been for a really long time. Are you okay?” Holly narrows her glare at me.

“I’m well aware that you’re my wife. But I never gave you a proper wedding. And that’s what I’m giving you tonight. In frontof all our family.” I lean in and kiss her forehead. “I’m sorry this hasn’t happened sooner.”

“I don’t need a wedding. I have you.” Holly smiles up at me. “Also, I have nothing to wear.”

“Ah, I have that covered. Come on.” Savvy stands before looking to her daughter. “Aurora, come with us.”

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