Page 61 of Knot So Damaged

“You biting your lip like that is Olis’ Hail Mary, Little Devil,” he snickers before he adds, “Keep tempting him like that and you will be getting more than you bargained for.”

Immediately she lets go of her lip, aiming a not so innocent look at me. Little devil is right. Valentina knows exactly what she is doing.

She turns back to Vic after the small distraction. “What do you mean ‘pack abag’?"

Vic rolls his eyes. “Exactly those words. Pack your bags. Both you and Amity will come stay at our place for the week.”

“Sleepover! Mommy, we get to go have a sleepover!”

Shooting up from her place on the couch, Amity races into what I assume is her room. Each of us remains silent as we wait for the little one to return. In a flurry, she comes barreling back out of her room, a bag stuffed with what I am assuming are clothes and her pillow tucked under her arm.

I chuckle, stepping around the bench and into her space, “I think Squirt has spoken, Valley.”

She sighs, collapsing further into the bench. Reaching a hand up, I brush some stray hair behind her ear.

“Come on, sweetheart. What's the worst that could happen?”

She rolls her eyes, straightening, but there is a resigned look on her face.

“Famous last words, Olis.”

Chapter Nineteen

Iquestion every single one of my life choices as we drive up to the gate of the Alphas home. Cal had prepared me a little on the drive over but it's one thing to see it from his point of view and then mine.

An at least ten foot fence surrounds what I assume is the entire property. The gates welcoming us onto their land resemble something you would expect to see at the home of a royal, not some Mafia men. Then again, I guess they are royalty in their world.

I would never tell Cal that. The idea of him being a king would go straight to his head. I don’t need to give his ego anymore encouragement.

Sprawling gardens seem to frame the house, adding something a little bit extra to the outside of the mansion.

Pulling up at the garage, I get out of the car and take in my surroundings. Both Olis and Vic come over to stand beside me just as a group of five soldiers come around the corner.

Nodding their heads at all three men they eventually look at me and Amity who looks at them curiously.

“Men, this is Valentina and Amity. They will be staying with us this week. Protection extends to them,” Vic demands before dismissing them with a nod.

In sync, all five men nod before turning and disappearing to wherever they appeared from.

With wide eyes, I turn to Olis who looks at me with a similar expression on his face.

“Ah, that was um… We ah…” he attempts to find his words but can’t seem to as a look of hopelessness clouds his features.

I chuckle and shake my head before placing a cautionary hand on his arm. “It's okay, Olis. Cal already explained everything to me.”

He raises an eyebrow at me and is hesitant as he tilts his head. “Everything?”

“Yes, Capo,” I chuckle with a wink. His eyes darken significantly and he goes to take a step towards me but stops as Vic clears his throat.

“If we are all comfortable now with the fact that we fucking kill people for a living, would we care to head inside for the grand tour or do we need to stand out here any longer?”

I snort at the brashness of Vic’s words, the guy clearly having zero patience even now that I am here just like he wanted.

Vic doesn't bother standing around to entertain us any longer before he is walking up the staircase and into the house.

Cal shakes his head, as if already exhausted with his twin. “Sorry about the grumpy cat, Little Devil.”

A giggle from beside me has me looking down at Amity who is trying to hold in a laugh.