Soulless Devil (Sons of Valentino #3)(32)

I’m aware Livvy has read the articles, and that she knows the rumors. Does she believe them? If so, why the fuck hasn’t she asked me about them yet? She made that one mafia prince comment, but that seemed more in jest. And, more importantly, what the fuck am I going to tell her when she does?





An hour later, the garage is packed to the rafters, the crowd roaring as Luca and his opponent go jab for jab in the cage. The door opens and the last two people I want to see right now walk in. Our brothers. Theo and Matteo. They spot me immediately and make a beeline for where I’m standing. Theo looks pissed. I mean, he always looks pissed, but now more so than I’ve seen him in a while.

“What the fuck do you Wonder Twins think you’re doing here?” he growls at me.

“Ah, well, I’m watching a fight? What are you two doing here?” I ask him.

“Don’t be an ass, Romeo. What’s he doing in that fucking cage? Shut it the fuck down. Now.”

“Can’t do that until he wins. Sorry, bro.” I shrug.

Theo draws the pistol from behind his back. Holding it in the air, he pulls the trigger. The sound echoes off the walls, and the whole garage goes silent, right before everyone starts screaming and running for the door.

“Was that really necessary?” I ask.

“Yes, you two in the fucking car now.” Theo gestures to me and then Luca, who is standing in the cage huffing and puffing from exhaustion.

“Why? I’m a little busy tonight. I have plans,” I tell him.

“Well, now your only plans are coming with me. I’m not going to fucking ask again, Romeo. Get your shit. We’re leaving.”

Usually I would argue with him more. However, when it comes to dealing with a Valentino, you really do need to know when you can and can’t win an argument—as well as when it’s worth even trying. And I can tell that this is not one of those times. Theo and Matteo didn’t come out here on their own accord. This has Pops written all over it. He’s found out Luca’s been fighting and is more than likely fucking pissed that his star player son is being so reckless with his body. I’m surprised we’ve lasted this long without our old man stepping in. Nothing happens in this city without his knowledge, especially when it comes to us kids. So the fact that we’ve gone a few months before getting shut down is a feat in itself.

“You know, it really was nice knowing you while it lasted. Don’t worry, bro, I’ll make sure I look fucking great at your funeral.” Matteo laughs at his own lame-ass joke.

“Do you know a plastic surgeon skilled enough to help you, because short of a miracle, no amount of designer threads will make you look anywhere close to great, Matteo,” I retort.

He blinks at me with a blank face. “You do know we’re brothers. We share the same DNA; we’re the same. You didn’t insult me. You insulted yourself, you fucking moron.”

“Yeah, read a textbook sometime. That’s not how DNA works. We are not the same.”

“You’re right. We’re not. I’m much cooler.” He smirks before heading out to the car.

Luca and I share a look as we stalk out behind them. “You know I have my car here. I can follow you,” I tell Theo.

“Nice try. I don’t have all night to chase you two fuckwits around the city. Get in. I’ll have your cars picked up,” he says, putting a stop to my attempt at making a break for it.

Sitting in the back seat of Theo’s car, I send Livvy a message. I know I’m not going to be seeing her tonight.

Me:



Sorry, babe, a family thing came up. I won’t make it to your place this weekend.





I get a response immediately.

Livvy:



Are you okay? It’s probably a good thing you’re not meeting me here. I have so much studying to catch up on anyway.





Are you okay? I’m missing out on spending a night with her. So, no, I’m not fucking okay. It’s such a simple question. It shouldn’t have so much effect on me that she even asked it. Of course she’d ask something like that. She’s fucking nice. That’s what nice people do.

Me:





You’re the smartest person I know. You don’t need to study. I’ll see you Sunday. Call me if you need anything.





Livvy:



Okay. xx





Luca and I share another look, one that tells the other to keep their mouth shut and we might make it out of here alive. We’ve just been hand-delivered to our parents’ house, after being stuck with Theo all weekend, to ensure we don’t miss Sunday night’s dinner. Something Mom will not let any of the Valentino boys miss often.

“Didn’t I tell you two you had to stop growing? What are they feeding you on campus?” Mom wraps Luca in a hug, kissing his cheek before moving on to me. Her arms go around me, squeezing tight. “It’s been too long,” she says.

“Ma, you saw us last Sunday.” I laugh.

“And it feels like a lifetime, Romeo.” Her eyes inspect mine, searching for God only knows what. “I don’t know what you two did, but remember we love you always, no matter what.” With that, she turns around and walks down the hall. “Oh, and your father’s waiting for you in his study. Theo, follow me,” she calls out over her shoulder.