Page 58 of Heir of Darkness

“Invite me to what?” Luna asked.

“My birthday party next weekend,” Valerio said, almost sheepishly. “It’s not a big deal.”

Her eyes widened. How did she not know his birthday?

“Of course it’s a big deal,” she said. “Isn’t it your quarter-life crisis?”

“I hope I don’t have any crisis at twenty-five,” Valerio said.

“So are you coming? I’m throwing the party, so you know it’s gonna be good,” Dante said. “We’ll have fireworks, drinks, food, and strippers.”

Luna’s head snapped over at that word. “Strippers?”

Valerio shook his head. “I already said no to it.”

“How can you have a party without some sort of entertainment?” Dante asked, groaning in protest.

She eyed Valerio suspiciously. Was it his idea to have strippers? Was that why she hadn’t been invited to it sooner?

“If you want strippers, get strippers,” Luna said, a fake smile on her face. “Don’t let me stop you, especially if you had plans to get them anyway.”

“I never agreed to it because I don’t want it,” he said. “When we went over it this morning, I shut it down immediately.”

She nodded, feeling embarrassed. What was the sickening feeling that built up inside her? It felt murderous, unlike anything she had ever felt before. It was such an ugly feeling. One that left her wanting to grab Valerio and make sure everyone knew who he belonged to.

Was shejealous?

She couldn’t be. To be jealous meant she considered Valerio hers, which she wasn’t even sure that she did. Sure, things had definitely shifted since their date, but still, she couldn’t already be feeling that way. It was too soon. She hadn’t even known when his birthday was, for God’s sake.

They were outside the building already, but Valerio grabbed her hand, stopping her from going inside. “I swear I don’t want anything to do with Dante’s plans and I’ll make sure nothing like that happens. I didn’t even want the stupid party, but him and Allister were already planning it before I could tell them I only wanted dinner with you that night at the cabin.”

There it was. In a second, Luna’s heart was melting once again. “I wouldn’t mind still doing that. We have an entire weekend.”

He smirked. “I think you’re starting to enjoy spending time with me, my little moon.”

“Little moon? What is that? My new nickname?” she asked, letting out a small laugh.

“I think it’s fitting. You’re able to brighten up my darkness like no one else.” The grin on his face made him look so much younger and eased all the worries that usually overtook it.

“That’s cheesy, even for you,” she said, her grin matching his. It was cheesy, but she couldn’t help but like the nickname. It was from him and sounded damn good leaving his lips.

“Have a good day. I’ll text you,” he told her. “Make sure you answer.” She took back her bag, ducking under the cover of the building while he closed the umbrella and handed it to her.

“No promises,” she said.

He rolled his eyes, wrapping his hand in her hair and pulling her lips to his. She wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on her toes. Every kiss left her completely breathless and wanting more. This had to be an addiction at this point.

She pulled away with a small smile. “I have to go to class.”

“Go, before I change my mind,” he muttered, slapping her ass when she turned around to walk away.

She looked back at him one last time, swirling the ring around her finger and disappearing past the doors.

TWENTY-TWO

VALERIO

“So areyou going to tell me when all of that changed?” Dante asked while they drove to their father’s office. “I thought she hated your guts.”

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