Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Three weeks later
F or three weeks, I’ve been meeting Connor in the study room in the library.
We’ve been careful not to be seen together.
But when we are together, it’s… intense.
I don’t know how he makes my body feel the way it does, or why it only works for him.
But I’m not going to deny myself the pleasure he can give me.
I have, however, been missing a lot of classes. A fact I’m sure my parents are going to notice. At least my grades won’t slip. Thanks to Dante, who is currently sitting in my room effortlessly completing my homework for me. And watching him do it without much thought is creeping me out.
I should be used to how easily academic stuff comes to him, and I don’t begrudge him for it.
Especially since he’s been doing my assignments for me for as long as I can remember.
No one knows, other than Orlando and Mabilia.
If our parents found out, they’d be pissed.
They do not condone cheating. But we’ve been doing it this way for so long now it’d be hard to just start doing it myself and end up failing.
Because I would fail. I mean, I might pass, if I put hours upon hours into studying and memorizing shit. But there would be a noticeable difference in my grades— that’s for sure.
“Have you told them you don’t plan to go to college yet?” Dante asks me.
I look at him. “I’m still breathing, so that’d be a no.”
“They’re not going to kill you. Trust me, the family has had more reason than school to kill you, Aurora.” He laughs.
“It’s not that easy. My mom thinks I’m going to be some successful businesswoman or something. And Dad keeps telling me I can do anything I want, be anything I want.” I sigh. “I can’t, though.”
“You can. You’re a Valentino. The world is your oyster,” Dante says.
“I’m a girl. It’s different for me,” I groan. Because, let’s be honest, it is different for the girls in our family.
If one of the boys goes off on a killing spree or something, they’re just a Valentino.
If I was to kill someone or do something a little violent, I’m insane.
Or crazy. There must be something wrong with me, because I shouldn’t want to do those things.
I should be content being a very well-kept princess.
That’s never been me, though. I’m far too much of a free spirit.
I’m also protective. I could never stand by and let anything happen to someone in my family.
In my defense, if the oldies didn’t want me to fight, they shouldn’t have equipped me with the skills to do so.
Besides, the sexist bullshit of girls needing a man to protect you will never fly with me.
I learned from a group of very strong women.
The Valentino men might think they’re running the show, but they’d be nothing without the women. And they all know it.
“At least I’m not dating my cousin.” I laugh.
It’s the newest way to insult Dante, because my Zio Theo and Zia Maddie adopted his girlfriend Josie, saving her from an awful foster home situation.
Which Dante is grateful for, but also a little resentful over.
He asked Josie to marry him. He wanted them to get their own place and live happily ever after.
Thankfully, the girl must have some brains because she said no.
Both my and Dante’s phones ping at the same time. I pick up mine and read the message.
Orlando:
Valentino hangar, now. Alessandro is going to Idaho. We’re crashing.
“Idaho? What the fuck is in Idaho?” I ask, looking up at Dante, knowing he just got the same message I did.
“No idea. Let’s get Josie and go.” He closes his laptop and packs it into his bag. I don’t think he goes anywhere without that thing.
I follow him out the door. Because it’s not like I have a lot of other plans this weekend. Well, I was supposed to meet up with Connor, but family comes first, right? I’d also have terrible FOMO if they all went without me.
“Really?” My cousin Alessandro points at me. “That’s a liability, not a help.” His words are directed to my brother Enzo as we all situate ourselves on the Valentino jet.
“I didn’t call her.” Enzo holds up his hands.
“No, I found out from Orlando. But you should have told me yourself,” I huff, walking to the back and sitting opposite Alessandro and his new girlfriend. “Hi, I’m Aurora, your new cousin.”
“Hi.” Cassidy looks at Alessandro, probably wondering what circus she’s found herself trapped inside.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he’d call them all,” Alessandro tells her in a much softer tone than I’ve ever heard my cousin use on anyone else.
“We don’t travel alone, because it’s safer in numbers,” I explain.
“Shut up,” Enzo grunts at me.
I stand and move seats, claiming the empty spot next to Orlando. I don’t know what their problem is. If Cassidy is joining the family, she might as well know how we operate. And judging by the way Alessandro is looking at her, she’s not going anywhere.
I pull out my phone and message Connor before takeoff.
Me:
Going out of town for the weekend.
Charming:
Where you going?
Me:
Idaho.
Charming:
What’s in fucking Idaho?
Me:
Not you.
Charming:
Aurora, why are you going to Idaho?
I pocket my phone without replying. Because fuck him . I don’t owe him an explanation. He should be thankful I even let him know and didn’t just stand him up.
“Who’s Charming?” Orlando asks.
“None of your business.”
“You know it’d take Dante two seconds to hack your phone and find out,”he hums.
“And it’d take me two seconds to blow up your favorite guitar.” I smile at him.
“You wouldn’t,” he says.
“Wouldn’t I?”
“Yeah, you would.” He nods his head. “I didn’t see anything.”
“There was nothing to see,” I remind him, because there wasn’t.
I know the moment I walk into my house that my dad knows what happened. Of course my brother told him. Why wouldn’t he? Enzo is standing right next to me. He squeezes my hand. He hasn’t left my side since the incident back in Idaho. The one where I saved someone.
“She didn’t have a choice,” Enzo says.
“I know,” my dad replies before turning and walking down the hall. “Follow me.”
My hand tightens around my brother’s. I’m grateful that he’s here.
I don’t know why I’m nervous. These are my parents.
They love me regardless. Deep down, I know that.
But the truth is I never want to disappoint them.
And I feel like what I did in Idaho is going to be the disappointment of a lifetime.
My dad stops outside the living room. He wraps his arms around me. “For the record, I love you, princess. And I’m so fucking proud that you’re my daughter. I’m proud of you,” he whispers.
“Thanks, Papa. I love you too,” I tell him. Holding him a little tighter than I normally would. I then walk into the living room, where my mom is waiting on the sofa and my brother Lorenzo’s face is blown-up on the television screen. “Family meeting?”
“Aurora, we just want to debrief with you and make sure you’re okay.” Mom stands and hugs me. Enzo lets go of my hand and moves over to the sofa.
“It wasn’t her fault,” Enzo repeats. “She didn’t have a choice.”
“You had a choice not to fucking take her with you in the first place. You had a choice not to leave your sister alone while you went God knows where with Alessandro. She shouldn’t have been alone!” My dad yells at my brother. “Do you have any idea what could have happened to her?”
“Stop yelling at Enzo. It’s not his fault either. I wasn’t alone. I was with Dante and Orlando. And I’m not some damsel, in case you’ve all forgotten.” I’m not letting them blame my brother for something I did.
“Aurora, sweetheart, calm down. No one is blaming anyone. Right, Matteo?” Mom directs to Dad.
“Right,” he grunts.
“We are just concerned about you. Maybe we should make an appointment so you can talk to someone,” Mom says.
“No. I don’t need a shrink. I’m fine,” I tell her.
“This is the first time you’ve killed someone, Aurora. It can take a toll on your mind,” Lorenzo says. “It is the first time, right?”
“Yes, it’s the first time. But again, I’m fine. I appreciate your concern. I really do. But if and when I need help, I’ll let you all know. Until then, I’m going to go shower and climb into bed.”
“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll bring you up a hot chocolate,” Mom says.
“Thanks, Mom. Love you.” I hug her and then move on to my dad before making my escape upstairs.
I sit in the shower until my fingers turn wrinkly.
I really am fine. I wasn’t lying to my parents.
I don’t think I’m going to lose any sleep over what I did.
In fact, I didn’t exactly hate it. Of course, I can’t say that because they really would have me in with a shrink. Probably in a nice white jacket too.
After wrapping myself in a fluffy robe, I walk back into my room and find a cup of hot chocolate on my nightstand and my mom on my bed. “I wanted to make sure you were okay,” she says.
“Thanks.” I lower myself onto the bed and pull the covers up over my knees. “I really am okay.”
“You know, when we were sixteen, your dad came to my house the first time he… well, the first time it happened for him. He wasn’t okay. And it’s completely fine for you to not be too,” she says.
“What if I am, though?”
“Then I’m glad. You didn’t do anything wrong, baby. You saved a life. But for the love of God, please don’t make this a habit.”
“I won’t,” I tell her.
She sighs as she reaches out to stroke my hair like she used to do when I was little.
“When I found out I was having a girl, I was ecstatic. After two boys, I was finally getting my girl. But that joy turned to fear because, while I’ll always worry about the boys, I knew they’d be able to take care of themselves.
But a girl? I didn’t want her to have to fight for her life.
Ever. I didn’t want her to have to experience violence and evil.
And your father made me a promise that no matter what, he would teach our little girl everything she needed to know to protect herself.
To never have to rely on a man for anything.
” Mom pauses. “And he did, and for that, I’m really glad.
I still worry even though I know you can take care of yourself.
I will never not worry because horrible things happen to women in this world. ”
“I know, Mom. And you and Papa and everyone else have taught me everything I need to know. I promise I will always be careful.” As I say the words, Connor’s face pops into my head. I have literally been sleeping with the enemy. I’m a traitor. “Mom, how did you know you were in love? With Papa?”
“Well, he didn’t really give me much choice.” Mom laughs. “I’m kidding. I knew because when I thought about losing him, I felt like my life was going to be over. Plus, it helps that he’s hot as sin.”
“Ew, gross.” I make a gagging sound, and my mom laughs.
“Are you seeing someone?” she asks.
“Not really,” I say.
“So, sort of then? But you don’t want the family to know yet.”
I nod my head.
“Okay, well, when you’re ready, I can’t wait to hear all about him. Until then, make sure you’re safe,” she says. “I can stop your father and brothers from doing a lot of things, but killing the boy who knocks you up? Not even Nonna could stop them from doing that.”