Page 50 of Hidden Ties

“I’d be staking my claim if I were you …” a taunting female voice from behind him said, as if she knew he had just called in the cavalry. “Before the ones who aren’t married get here.”

Dammit. He hated when Maria made perfect sense.

He moved to a closet and took out the clothes he had hidden, along with her bat, in case Valerie became inclined to use it on any of the guests about to walk in. She did have the boss’ permission, after all.

“Why are you giving me these now?” she asked after he handed them to her.

“Because I need you to change—”

Suddenly, her usual attire was perfect for her. Hell, he loved it. The more hideous and baggy the clothes she wore, the better as far as he was concerned. If it could ward off any of the men who were about to walk through the door, it would save him from a fight.

“Now.” He tried his best to sound as commanding as Lucca had with his woman, because Sal’s mind had been made up within an instant.

Valerie Monroe was his.

When more mencame barreling through, Valerie’s mouth dropped farther and farther open. The Caruso-Luciano gene pool was unmatched.

Nero Caruso, who was Elle’s boyfriend, was a mix of his siblings Maria and Lucca, if that gave you an idea on how good-looking he was. Which brought her to the next guest being Dominic Luciano, who was the only one capable of rivalingLucca’s presence.Badass motherfuckerwas what came to her mind upon seeing him show up in a leather coat with fur around the collar.

His brother, Angel Luciano, who was dating Adalyn, was covered head to toe in tattoos. She desperately needed to ask him to model for a character in her game as well.

Then, when a piercing blue-eyed blond walked in, she could see the hint of redness in his eyes. Like he had been crying. His name was Vincent, and he was quiet as he took a seat beside Lake. Valerie wondered what it was he had been upset about.

By the time Amo tried barreling through, Sal had worked himself up into a jealous fit that she thought was kind of cute. Valerie didn’t even think he realized he was the jealous type yet. She knew why he had given her her clothes back, but she didn’t mind, happy to feel like herself again.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Sal asked him bluntly.

Amo was immediately offended. “Damn, what’sthatsupposed to mean?”

“Meaning I didn’t invite you. You don’t have a girlfriend or wife here. Who the hell told you, anyway?”

Valerie was worried all hell was about to break loose when Amo stood defiantly. “I’m not at liberty to say …”

Sal turnedto give dirty looks to all the men in the room, wondering who the hell had invited him, but not a one dared to tell the truth.

Amo wasn’t the playboy Sal had called in as a last-ditch effort to bribe the men into breaking up girls’ night. That one had yet to show and was much more dangerous for Valerie to meet. Ifhe was lucky, he could get everyone to leave before that person showed up.

“Well, party’s ove—”

“But I haven’t gotten to play Mortal Kombat yet.” Amo stopped him from closing the door in his face when no one else took Sal seriously that the party was, in fact, over.

Sal was about to slam his fingers in the door when Valerie stepped in, giving Sal a dirty look. “Come on inside, Amo; you can verse me.”

Those words only made him want to kill Amo more, especially when it was obvious the big dumbass didn’t recognize Valerie much in her new clothes, but he should’ve known he had nothing to worry about with Amo. His arrogance would get himself in trouble.

“Easy, doll.” Amo finally recognized her from earlier in the underground. “I don’t want to kick your ass and make you feel bad.”

“You know what? Be my guest,” Sal offered gleefully, opening the door wide when he saw those fighting words lighten Valerie’s eyes.

It was quick and dirty with multiple KOs before Amo had enough of getting his ass kicked and handed off the controller to the next lucky player. As she kicked the men’s asses one by one, Angel, Nero, and Dominic had their fair share against her, but not one of them came out victorious. It wasn’t until Katarina gave her best shot against Valerie that someone stood a chance, even though it wasslightbyKOing Valerie once.

With only few of them left to try to best her, a controller was held out for Vincent to take.

“No, thanks.”

Amo nudged his friend. “Come on, man.”

“I said,no, thanks,” Vincent repeated, making himself clearer.