Soulless Devil (Sons of Valentino #3)(39)

“You wouldn’t understand,” I say.

“Try me.”

I roll my eyes. I don’t know why I’m going to tell him this. But maybe he can give me some guidance on what to do here. “There’s this girl…”

“There’s always a girl.” He laughs.

“Forget I said anything.” I lean my head back and close my eyes again.

“Come on, what about the girl?” he pushes.

“I like her a little too fucking much. That’s never happened before.” I shrug, like it’s no big deal. It is. But he doesn’t need to know that.

“You drank yourself stupid, put yourself in a fucking vulnerable position, because you like a girl?” Matteo asks.

“Told you, you wouldn’t understand,” I grunt.

“Yeah, because I haven’t been in love with the same girl since I was fucking six.” He’s referring to his best friend—the one he’s been pining over for years.

“How is Savvy?” I ask, in an attempt to change the subject. I smirk, thinking about the feisty little blonde.

“Nice try. We’re not finished. Does this girl have a name?”

“She does, but you’re not getting it. I don’t need you and Theo running your little checks and shit. She’s fucking pure, innocent. Way too fucking good for our family.”

“If you like her, then tell her,” he says.

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” I tell him, especially after what I’ve put her through. How I’ve failed her.

“Why not?”

“Didn’t you hear me? She’s too fucking innocent for our family.”

Matteo’s phone starts playing “Best Friend” by Saweetie—that’s his ringtone for Savvy. I close my eyes, lean my head back against the seat again, and tune out his conversation. Well, mostly tune it out.

“Heading to my parents’ place. Romeo seems to be living up to his namesake and is making stupid fucking decisions in the name of love.” Matteo laughs, which has my eyes popping open and my glare aimed at him.

“It’s not love,” I groan.

“Yeah, well, we all do stupid shit for those we love,” Savvy replies. Ignoring their conversation again, I look out the window. We’re pulling up to our parents’ house. Great, just what I fucking need.

Once we exit the car, I turn to Matteo. “Don’t repeat what I told you.”

“Sure, but just so you know, I think any girl would be fucking lucky to have you, regardless of what your last name might be,” he says with the utmost sincerity. The moment we enter the house, our mom is waiting in the foyer. “Okay, I’m out. I’ve done my part. This is all you, bro,” Matteo says, slapping me on the shoulder.

“Don’t you bloody move. You’ll be next,” Mom points a finger in his direction, and my brother stops moving altogether.

“What’d I do?” he asks.

“Romeo, care to explain why you were out, by yourself. Drunk enough to get arrested?” She folds her arms over her chest. Great, it’s angry mom. She’s a hot-headed, fiery little woman when she gets mad. Which isn’t often.

“I’m in college, Ma. Getting wasted is what college kids do.” I shrug.

“Maybe, but you’re not like most college kids, Romeo. You can’t let your guard down like that. What if…” Mom lets her sentence trail off.

“I’m fine, Ma. Nothing happened.” I wrap my arms around her and kiss her cheek.

“But it could have,” she whispers.

“I won’t do it again,” I promise.

“Good. Now, your father wants to see you in his office.” She steels her spine.

“Great. Looking forward to it,” I say sarcastically as I make my way down the hall.

I knock twice on my father’s office door.

“Enter,” he calls out from the other side.

I walk in and wait. I know I’m about to get a lecture.

“Sit down.” He points to one of the chairs in front of his desk, and I take a seat. “Explain to me why you felt the need to go out and be so fucking reckless last night. Because I’m trying really hard to understand here, Romeo, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why you’d do such a thing?”

“I felt like a drink. That’s all. I got carried away. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again,” I tell him.

“You’re right. It won’t happen again.” His gaze searches mine. “Why wasn’t Luca with you?”

“Because we’re not conjoined. Just your average, everyday twins.” I shrug.

“Now is not the time for your smart mouth, Romeo.”

I roll my eyes. No shit. I get it. I was reckless. But, fuck, it was one time. People need to loosen up a bit. “Luca had other shit to do.”

“I don’t want you going out by yourself. Take one of the guys with you next time.”

“Sure,” I agree. Anything to get me out of here. I need to get home. I need to grovel to Livvy and hope like hell she’ll forgive me for leaving her there all night.





Chapter Twenty-Two





Romeo never came back. I’ve been awake all night waiting for him. He didn’t show. I don’t blame him really. I mean, look at me. I’m a broken mess.