Tilly : A Valentino Heir Novella (Valentino Heirs Book 3)

Chapter 13

Antonio didn’t come home last night. To his home. I fell asleep on the sofa and woke up in the same spot. I debated calling him when I realized he hadn’t returned but thought better of it. I don’t need to seem clingy. I get the kind of work he does isn’t a nine-to-five. It would, however, be nice to know he was okay and not bleeding out in a shallow grave somewhere.

I rush through showering and getting dressed. And just as I’m about to run out the door, Emillio appears with a set of keys in his hands, insisting he’s taking me to school.

I bite my tongue for the entire drive. I want to ask where Antonio is but I don’t. I practically run into my first class after thanking Emilio for the ride and have been checking my phone constantly for any sign of life ever since.

Three hours later, and I’m tired of waiting. I’ve waited long enough. And, honestly, I’m a little annoyed he hasn’t thought to message me. That’s what has me scowling at my phone as I type out a text.

Me:

Are you still breathing?

The read notification pops up immediately and then my phone starts ringing, Antonio’s name flashing across the screen. “Hello.”

“Matilda, you okay?” he asks.

Am I okay? Is he serious right now?

“Considering I’m not the one who’s been MIA for the last twenty-four hours, I should be the one asking you that.” I try to keep the annoyance out of my tone. I’m not too sure it worked though.

Antonio sighs into the phone. “I’m sorry. Something came up and I had to deal with it.”

“It’s okay. You don’t owe me any explanations, Antonio. I just wanted to know that you were still alive. And now I know.”

“Yes, I do. I owe you a lot. I owe you everything. I should have called or messaged. I was an ass. And I’m sorry,” he says.

“Okay.”

“Tilly?” a familiar voice calls out.

“Yeah?” I look around the coffee shop, spot my cousin, and wave him over. Then I return my attention to Antonio. “I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later,” I tell him, cutting the call just as Enzo lowers himself onto the chair opposite me.

“You’ll talk to who later?” Enzo asks.

“No one,” I say, before quickly tucking my phone into my pocket. “What was so important you couldn’t just call me?”

My cousin sent me a message this morning insisting we meet for lunch.

“I need you to come to a party with me,” Enzo says.

“Me?” I point to my chest and glance around again. Surely I’m being punked. “Why? You know I don’t go to college parties.”

“I know, but I was hoping you’d make an exception for your favorite cousin.” He grins.

I frown at him. “Orlando’s going to be there? Isn’t he a bit young for college parties?” I deadpan.

Enzo just raises his brows at me. “Come on, Tilly. I need your help.”

“Why me? And for what, exactly?” I question him.

“There’s this girl…” he starts, and I laugh, stopping when he glares at me. “Anyway, there’s this girl and she won’t give me the time of day. But I know she wants me because, well…” He waves a hand down his torso.

I gag. “Since when do you need help getting laid?”

“I don’t. I need help getting her to realize that I’m not going to wait around forever and she needs to make up her damn mind. Which is where you come in. She doesn’t know you and she doesn’t know you’re my cousin. So I’m thinking we walk in together. She gets jealous, realizes that she’s passing up on a good thing. And just like that, the rest is history.” He snaps his fingers for effect.

I honestly cannot believe what I’m hearing right now. “Yeah, that’s not going to work, but I’ll come with you for nothing more than to see this whole thing blow up in your face,” I tell him, glancing to my right when another chair at the table is pulled out and a body fills it.

“Matilda Valentino, you’re a hard girl to find,” Emillio says.

My eyes widen as I look from Antonio’s brother to my cousin, who does not look happy to see a Gambino sitting down at our table like we’re old friends.

“No,” Enzo practically growls out. “Fuck no,” he repeats, pointing at Emillio, who just smirks back at him.

“It’s not…” My words die off when my cousin directs that feral glare my way.

“Matilda, no. Just all kinds of fucking no. Are you kidding me right now? Him?” He points at Emillio again and shakes his head.

I roll my eyes. “He’s just a friend.”

“What kind of friend?” Enzo asks.

“The friend kind of friend. The platonic kind of friend,” I attempt to clarify.

“As fun as this all is, I need you to come with me,” Emillio says to me.

I shake my head. Read the damn room. “Why?”

“Antonio requested you meet him at Sin.”

“Oh, hell no.” Enzo jumps up from the table. “Tilly, what the fuck? I thought this one was bad. But his brother? Really? You trying to get people killed?”

“Would you calm down?” I hiss as my eyes flick to the growing crowd of nosey onlookers. “You’re causing a scene.”

“That’s the least of your worries when Zio Romeo finds out.” Enzo laughs, but there’s no amusement in it. It’s the kind of sound you make in the face of certain death.

“Enzo, please…” I don’t even know what I’m asking for right now.

“Okay, I get she’s family. I don’t usually get between family. But if you talk to her like that again, I will cut out your tongue.” Emillio’s tone is calm. Deliberate. Threatening.

“No, you won’t.” I stand and throw my bag over my shoulder. “Enzo, I’m fine. I’m better than fine. I’m happy. Just let me be the one to tell Papa.”

“I’m not a rat, Tilly. I might not like what you’re doing, but I’m on your side. Always.” Enzo wraps his arms around my shoulders and pulls me against his chest. “Just be careful. Made men don’t always make the best boyfriends,” he whispers.

“I know,” I tell him. Squeezing him tighter before stepping back. Then I look at Emillio. “I have class. Antonio’s going to have to wait.” I pivot on my heel and walk out without another word.

Emillio follows, all the way to my lecture hall, and sits in the seat beside me.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Learning. What’s this class on?” he asks.

“Psychological disorders,” I tell him.

“Great. I happen to already know a lot about those.” He smirks.

I shake my head and do my best to ignore him. Although it’s hard, especially when every girl who walks past stops and stares. A few even drop him their number.