Page 9 of The Agreement

“Yes. I’m also allowed more freedom. And if something was to happen, they are right there rather than trailing me.”

“I will be honest, Val never thought of that.”

“You know, as a powerful family ourselves, we do have some smarts.” She laughed again and once more he had to smile at the sound.

“So, where are they?”

“Here,” Tony said, walking up behind the couple.

“There’s a back room to this salon; they usually hang out there until I’m done,” she told him. Vinny glanced at the two men, almost laughing to himself at the glare they sent his way. Guess trying to overcome some things from the past was going to be fun for everyone. “Go back guys, I’m almost done,” she told them, waving her hand.

“So, I was wondering…” Valentina watched Vinny, a smile tugging at her lips. He was looking nervous and that was something new for her.

“Yes?”

“I have a bar opening I need to go to Saturday night, as you are my fiancé….”

“Is it decreed I need to always go with you?”

“No, but it would be nice.”

“I’d love to Giovanni. Just let me know what time to be ready. Will you pick me up?”

“Yeah,” he answered.

“Why are you nervous?” He glanced at her and stood up, offering her a smile.

“Remember, I don’t date, so all of this is just as new to me as it is to you.” He placed a very chaste kiss upon her cheek before he walked out.

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She glanced around at her family and friends before turning back to Vinny, who looked uncomfortable; which she couldn’t help but smile at. Her parents had raised their glasses to the young couple and everyone had joined in on wishing them well and offering congratulations. But afterward, Vinny was pulled aside by some of her cousins and told in a very firm and well-understood tone that he was not allowed to hurt her or he would have to answer to all of them. Which, needless to say, did not leave him in a very good mood, but there was nothing that could be done about it. Her family was protective of her and she loved them all the more for that.

“Are you sure you’re okay Vinny?” He gave a slight glare before nodding.

“I should be furious that they did that.” She lightly touched his arm and shook her head.

“They weren’t treating you as one family to another, as one future Don to another, Joey knows better than that. But that was more like big brothers watching over their little sister.”

“I know, I got it, still doesn’t mean I like it.”

“No, I know you wouldn’t, but something tells me that you might have stepped in a time or two for your sisters.” She tilted her head as she watched him, almost laughing as his scowl became more noticeable. Yeah, he knew made families or not, Italian men were protective of the ladies within.

Vinny took a sip of his wine while he glanced around. Their home was so nicely done and honestly, he could admit that he was happy to marry into a family like hers and to someone who knew his lifestyle and wouldn’t give him trouble over it. And, if he was being honest, he wouldn’t mind another mind to bounce ideas off of. He knew Val was smart and that she was majoring in finance, and he heard through the grapevine that her dad had let her sit in on a few meetings, to gauge the financial side of things. Although he would never tell his dad, maybe this might be a slight blessing after all.

“What are you thinking?” Vinny glanced back at her and slowly shook his thoughts away.

“Nothing overly important. May I ask something?”

“Of course, what is it, Vinny?”

“You graduate soon, right?”

“Yes, I’ll have my masters in six months.” She tilted her head as she watched him. “Why?”

“Curious.” He stared down into the wine in his glass and then looked up at her. “Does your dad have you sit in on some of his business meetings?”

“Are you asking about the legal ones or the illegal ones?” Giovanni lifted a brow but his lips twitched as they tried to stop the smile. “I sit in on every legal one as I’m an advisor to my dad.”

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