Page 38 of Ravage God

9

ISA

Much like howI had woken up the morning after the bar weeks before, there was a pounding headache taking over the entirety of my head.

I let out a small groan and buried my face in the blanket, trying to get my mind to go back to last night’s events. I remembered getting out of the house in the middle of the night and walking around the strip. I remembered drinking beer by the fountain and then…

Bits and pieces of my memories came and went. It was hard to tell which of those pieces actually happened and which were nothing more than a dream.

I might have seen Elio and Matteo…

I wasn’t sure.

Though it could very well be the case, considering I had woken up in my bedroom at Valentino’s apartment.

I could hear sounds coming from the kitchen. My brother was awake, and he wasn’t trying to be quiet. He might be upset with me—no, I knew he was. I debated on staying here until he had to leave the apartment, but I doubted he would until he lectured me.

With another groan, I flung the covers off and sat up. The room began to spin, and I closed my eyes, trying hard not to give in to the urge to vomit. Wouldn’t that just make things worse if Valentino ended up having to clean up my vomit?

Slowly, I got out of bed and headed to the kitchen. I found Valentino standing by the stove, cooking breakfast, with his back to me. He didn’t turn to face me, though I assumed he knew I was here. That was confirmed when, moments later, he turned off the stove, plated some of the food he had cooked, and turned, placing it in front of me.

I looked down at the greasy food of two eggs, some strips of bacon, and hash browns. I didn’t tell him that while I knew the food would help with my hangover, looking at it right now was pushing my nausea button.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

He didn’t answer me. I forced myself to look up at him. His face was impassive as he stared back at me. I gave him a sheepish smile, and his jaw twitched.

Okay, so smiling was definitely not the way to go.

I let out a small sigh. “I know you’re angry with me.”

“Oh, Isa. Anger doesn’t even begin to cover how I’m feeling right now.”

I looked back down at my plate, not really knowing what to say or do that would make things better.

I picked up the fork and slowly nibbled at the food. I really thought I would be sick as soon as the food touched my tongue, but the more I ate, the better I felt.

Valentino let out a small sigh and left to make me a cup of tea.

By the time he placed it down in front of me, I was feeling a million times better.

“Thank you,” I said, taking a small sip.

He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his weight against the table.

“Are you just going to stand there and watch me eat?” I asked.

Still no response. I forked some eggs and held them up to him. “Want some?”

The tic grew.

“Okay. I guess that’s a no.”

He let out a small sigh and ran his hand up and down his face. “Want to tell me what happened last night?”

I put my fork down. I knew I would have to explain myself to him, and while I thought I was prepared for it, when I needed to answer him, I was at a loss for words.

I didn’t know what to say to him, what excuse to use that would be acceptable.