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He blinks with surprise, then runs a hand through his hair. It’s clear he does not want to talk and would rather be making love to me, but this is important. I want to know him.
“Being raised by Nonna Isadora was like being raised by twelve mothers and fathers. Everything I am today is because of her.”
“I see.” I nod, and let my hair fall like a curtain around my face to hide my expression from him. “Then you should not have shot her grandson, Valentino. It’s the least you could have done for her.”
For a few seconds, there is silence and I raise my eyes up to his. His gaze roves my face before he sweeps my hair to the side and pulls my face within an inch of his. “Listen to me carefully, Francesca.”
I swallow.
“The only reason Matteo isn’t dead is because of his grandmother. Do not forget who you married. Who am I?”
“Valentino Barone.”
“Valentino Barone,” he echoes. “Officially, she is the head of the family, but a few years ago she secretly gave the reins to me. I am the head of our wholefamilia. It is my job to silence disrespect immediately. It doesn’t matter whether it’s family or not. My position is a precarious one. The smallest slip and my crown will come crashing down. I will maim and destroy tomaintain it.” His fingers softly caress my scalp, contrasting the harsh words emanating from his lips. “Everything you’ve heard about me is a lie; I am way worse.”
His voice dips lower, and I’m shocked at how my body reacts to him.
“I live the straight life of a businessman now, inside me lives the Silent Night, and no one is exempted from his wrath. Not even my cousins.”
“Okay.”
“But you…” his gaze drops to my lips, and I wish he would kiss me and stop talking. I am not bold enough to take my pleasure from him yet, so I wait until he graciously gives it.
“I will protect you with my life,” he says. “I will lay it down for you and pick it back up to defend you. Because who are you?”
A slow smile spreads on my face. “Francesca Barone.”
“That’s fucking right. You better act like it.”
The car stops, and I look outside the window to see we’re home. Valentino opens the door and steps outside with me in his arms. Vance and Dutch are already waiting, and I bury my face in his neck shyly. “Put me down.”
“Why?”
“People are watching,” I protest uselessly even as he carries me through the elaborate doors, past the staff working in the grand foyer.
“Why do you care?” he asks.
I keep my gaze averted, my heart fluttering as Valentino transports me up the stairs and into my room. He lays me gently on the bed and stares into my eyes.
“Welcome to your home, Signora. Barone.”
“I’ve been here since yesterday.” I giggle, circling my arms around his neck.
“Yesterday, you wouldn’t even look at me.”
“No, it is you who wouldn’t look at me,” I correct him. “You’ve been blatantly ignoring me since Paris.”
Valentino’s eyes sparkle with amusement. “Was that why you were being so petulant and cantankerous? Because you thought I was ignoring you?”
“I wasn’t being petulant or cantankerous,” I deny hotly.
“Oh yes, you were. You wanted my attention so bad you put enough on my credit card to feed a small town in Africa for a year.”
He sees through me as if I’m made of transparent glass. Guilt and shame course through me and I cover my face with both hands to hide my flaming cheeks.
“If you want my attention, just ask,” he murmurs as his hands slip beneath my body. Lifting me from the bed he unzips my dress. My hands fall away from my face. The sexual tension skyrockets and I can’t wait to feel his hands on my body again. In seconds, he has discarded my dress and lingerie, leaving me naked under his scorching gaze.
I sit up and reach for him, unbuttoning and removing his jacket. His eyes flare with surprise, but he doesn’t say anything. I discard his shirt, too, and then reach for his fly. He stops me.