Soulless Devil (Sons of Valentino #3)(25)

“What if I don’t?” I ask him. It was always our plan. To stick together. Whatever job I ended up doing for the family after college, I could do from whatever city Luca was signed to. But now I’m considering what Livvy will think of following Luca around the country. Which is beyond stupid. It doesn’t matter what she thinks. If I go, I’m not about to leave her behind. At least that’s what I’m telling myself to make myself not appear like such a fucking pussy. I’m not going to leave my brother high and dry, not for anyone. I’m also not going to lose Livvy—fuck me, I haven’t even had the girl yet and I’m planning our future together.

“Then I won’t go either.” Luca shrugs.

“You’d stay here in New York because I wanted to?”

“Yes,” he says, staring at the city skyline. It’s his dream to play pro football. I have to figure out a way to make sure that happens for him. He’s not giving that up for me.

“You know, whatever city we end up in will also need a prosecuting attorney.” I smirk.

“Fuck me, I’m going to be the third wheel for the foreseeable future, aren’t I?”

“You could try settling down? Find a nice girl. We could double date?” Even I want to throw up at that idea.

Luca’s laugh is so loud I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole city could hear it. “Yeah, that is not happening anytime soon, bro.”

“I’m heading out,” I tell him, pushing to my feet.

“You only just got here.”

“Did you notice anything out of the ordinary when you walked Liv home?” I ask him.

“Like what?”

“Anyone lurking? She mentioned that she felt like she was being followed, then there was the vandalism.”

“I didn’t see anyone,” he says.

I walk into my bedroom and pack an overnight bag. I don’t plan on coming home tonight.





It’s late. I know Livvy is more than likely asleep. I just need to see her. I need to be near her. Picking the lock of her dorm, I use my phone to light the path to her single bed. Where, sure enough, she is sound asleep. I look across to the other bed in the room to find it empty. Sandra isn’t here and I thank my lucky stars that I have Livvy to myself. I know I’m creepy as I stand and watch her sleep. I just don’t give a fuck. Kneeling down next to her, I gently push her hair away from her face. She stirs a little.

I lean over and pepper kisses on her forehead and her cheek, working my way to her ear. “Livvy, wake up,” I whisper.

“Mmm, Romeo…” she murmurs, rolling over so she’s flat on her back.

“Yeah, it’s me,” I reply.

Livvy’s eyes pop open and she jolts up in bed. “Shit!” she screeches. “Romeo? What are you doing here?” Her gaze darts around the dark room.

“I wanted to see you,” I tell her.

Livvy’s stares at me for a moment. “How’d you get in here?”

“Ah, I might have picked your lock.” I shrug and rise to my full height, toe off my boots, and then grab my shirt from the back of my neck and pull it off.

“Wait… what are you doing?”

“Well, I was planning on getting into bed with you and going to sleep, but I’m more than open to other suggestions if you have any,” I tell her.

“Why?” she asks.

“Why what?”

“Why do you think you’re getting into bed with me? I’m obviously dreaming, and this isn’t really happening.” Livvy pinches her arm.

“Not dreaming, babe, and I don’t think I’m getting into bed with you. I know I am.”

“Ah, nope. You can sleep in Sandra’s bed. She’s not here.”

Yeah, that’s not fucking happening. I don’t plan on ever sleeping in another woman’s bed again. However, I don’t tell her that. I’m not purposely trying to scare her off. Without saying a word, I pull her covers back and squeeze into the bed. Livvy shuffles aside when I lie down. I wrap an arm around her and pull her towards me, resting her head on my shoulder. Her body is stiff. I can feel her heart racing a million beats a minute.

“Relax, babe. We’re just sleeping. I promise.” My cock protests at my words. Feeling Livvy’s body up against mine, I can’t help but want more. I want to consume this girl. Mind, body, and soul.

“What’s happening here, Romeo?” she asks in a soft voice, her tense muscles beginning to loosen.

“I don’t want to sleep without you. I want to hold you in my arms all night,” I tell her.

“Why?” she asks.

“Because you’re mine.”

Livvy is quiet. She doesn’t say anything, her breathing is becoming more relaxed, and I think she’s fallen back to sleep. As I lie here, staring into the darkened room, I have a strange sense of contentment wash over me. I’ve never been more comfortable in my own skin before. It’s almost like Livvy is a calming balm to my soul. Which sounds corny as fuck, and you’d never hear me say those words out loud.

And then that calm turns to fear. Real, genuine fear. Because, for the first time in my life, I have something real to lose. Something other than my brothers or parents that my enemies can take away from me. Maybe I should talk to Pops. He’d know this feeling. He’d know what to do. He’s managed to keep Mom safe all these years, although there have been a few close calls. My eyes close, I lean in, and my lips press against the top of Livvy’s head. I inhale the fruity scent of her hair. This should be the red flag. I’m fucking sniffing her hair and enjoying it.