9. Isa
ISA
Much like how I 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.
“Isa.”
I placed my hands on my lap. “I just want to live a little,” I said. And that was a part of the truth. “You’re so lucky.”
He frowned. “How so?”
“You get to have all this freedom simply because you were born a boy. And I am expected to just be good, to do what’s expected of me because I’m… not a boy.”
His frown deepened. “Is this what it’s really about?”
I shrugged. I could have said yes, but I didn’t want to lie to Valentino more than I had to.
“That might be true, but there is a good reason for that.”
“Yeah,” I said, making a face. “I know it can be… dangerous for me. But who would target me? Most people out on the street don’t even know who I am.”
“Yes, most people don’t, but the wrong kind of people do. And that’s why I need you to be careful. What would I do if something happened to you?”
I closed my eyes, feeling like shit. He must have been worried when he realized I was missing last night. And while I was sure he called, I had my phone turned off, not wanting anyone to be able to track me. Which, in hindsight, was incredibly stupid on my part. I knew that.
I just had to get away from Dad and that house.
“I’m sorry.”
“Just… Just promise me it won’t happen again.”
I nodded, not saying anything.
“No, Isa. I need you to say it.”
I looked up at him. His face didn’t move, and I knew he wouldn’t let up unless I agreed. “I promise,” I said. Underneath the table, I had my fingers crossed.
He didn’t say anything for a moment, his eyes taking in my face as if he was looking for the lie.
Then he nodded. “And I’ll make some time to take you out.
I know you didn’t ask to be born into this family, and that it’s not fair that you’re a lot more restricted from everything than I am, but you know I am only doing this to make sure you’re safe. You know that, right?”
Now I felt like absolute shit—more so than I had when I woke up.
I nodded.
He pointed at the plate. “Eat your breakfast.”
I picked up the fork again. I was about halfway done with my meal when a thought occurred to me. “How did you know I wasn’t asleep in my bed last night?” I asked.
It was late when I snuck out of the house. Later than usual for Valentino to just show up and realize I was missing.
“You haven’t been by the apartment in a while. I was worried. But yesterday had been hell, and I didn’t get to leave until late. I was just going to drop in and check on you before I left. Imagine my surprise when I got to the house only to see Dad drunk on the couch and your bedroom empty.”
I winced. “I’m sorry.”
“I thought our enemies had gotten into the house and taken you,” he said, his voice low. I could see why he would have thought that. Valentino was high enough in rank that he probably made more enemies than the other men working under Massimo. “Does that happen often?”
“What? Me sneaking out?” I asked, trying hard not to look like a deer caught in the headlights.
I didn’t know if I had succeeded at that when he frowned a little, his eyes taking me in more intently.
“No, Dad getting drunk in the middle of the night. Does that happen often?”
So much.
I shrugged. “I don’t really pay attention to that. Sometimes.”
His eyes tightened. I knew he didn’t like my answer, but there wasn’t much he could do about that. Our dad was a grown man. It wasn’t like Valentino could tell him not to drink in his own home, although I sometimes wished it could be as simple as that.
The door to the apartment opened, and Valentino and I both turned to see Elio standing there, holding what looked like a box of donuts.
He stopped when he noticed us staring at him.
“Everything alright?” he asked in his usual gruff voice that somehow managed to affect my heart.
“Yes,” Valentino said, signaling for him to come in.
I took this time to look at him. He was wearing a casual outfit today, consisting of dark jeans, black boots, and a fitted, dark gray shirt that complemented his skin tone well.
God, he was just so beautiful. Sometimes, it made my heart hurt to look at him.
My eyes moved up to his face, taking in his light-brown eyes, which seemed to glow golden in the morning sun, his dark, almost auburn hair, tied up in the usual bun, and his tan skin. I let my gaze fall to the neatly trimmed beard that had my hand itching to know what it would feel like.
I blinked when Elio turned his gaze to me, and I quickly went back to my breakfast, hoping I hadn’t been caught staring like a complete weirdo.
“How are you feeling, Isa?” Elio asked me. I glanced at him and smiled a little before going back to my food. He walked into the kitchen and placed the box of donuts down next to my plate.
“A good cure for a hangover,” he said lightly when he caught my eyes once more.
My smile froze on my face. Perhaps the image of seeing Elio last night with Matteo wasn’t a dream after all, but an actual memory. Elio turned away from me before I could react, and I looked down at my plate.
I could hear Valentino and Elio discussing something in the distance, but I wasn’t interested enough to pay attention.
I was still reeling over the fact that my one decision had turned into something like this.
More than that, Valentino was going to be keeping a closer eye on me from now on. I just knew it.
Valentino called out my name, bringing my attention back to him.
“I have to leave. But Elio is going to drive you home, okay?” He walked over to me, pressed a kiss on the top of my head, and was already walking away before I could respond.
I tried to think of something I could say to get out of being in the same car as Elio, but before I could say anything, Valentino was out the door, leaving Elio and me alone.
And it felt so dangerous, somehow. I twisted in my seat, feeling awkward. I could sense Elio’s eyes on me.
With nothing to do with my hands, I reflexively opened the donut box, surveying the selection of donuts. Elio approached, his nearness radiating warmth and a familiar, comforting scent, messing with my mind a little more with every second that passed.
We didn’t say anything.
I took a small bite of the donut.
“You don’t have to drive me home,” I said finally. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck in the small space of the car with Elio. “I can call Tommaso or a taxi.”
He didn’t respond to me right away. I looked up and met his eyes, but I couldn’t tell what that look on his face meant. “I’m taking you home.”
His tone left no room for argument.
Still, I opened my mouth to do just that when he shot me a look and shook his head.
I let out a small sigh. “I don’t know why you’re so insistent. I’m sure you have better things to do.”
“Nothing is more important than you,” he answered gruffly.
I blinked. “What?”