Soulless Devil (Sons of Valentino #3)(6)

“It was a vastly different era, Romeo. You’re looking at it from a twenty-first century point of view. Try to imagine what it was like for women in the time of Austen. They didn’t have the freedoms we do today. All they had was marriage. It was what secured them a good life, or damned them to one filled with unimaginable hardships.”

I tilt my head at her again. This time with curiosity. I knew she was smart, but I didn’t know I’d be hanging on every word that left her mouth. “What are your views on marriage? It’s no secret that most girls here are looking to nab their first husbands.”

“If I ever get married, he won’t be just my first husband. He will be my only one.”

“Interesting.”

“What’s interesting about wanting a life partner?” she counters.

“It’s interesting that people still dream of happily ever afters, especially someone as intelligent as you are. You have to know they only exist in fairy tales,” I tell her.

“Are you the product of divorce or something? Are your parents unhappy?” she asks, scrunching up her face as if the thought tastes sour on her tongue.

“No, my parents are happily married, but they’re the exception. Not the rule,” I admit. Perhaps she didn’t look me up. Because if she had, she’d know exactly who my parents are. “What about you? Were you the product of divorce and that’s why you dream of something different?”

“Nope, my parents are soul mates. They met in college and have been together, happily, ever since.”

“What do they do?” I have this need to know everything about her.

“My dad’s a retired police officer, and my mom’s a teacher,” she says.

My back straightens. Her dad’s a cop? Or a retired cop… I knew she was too good to be true. There’s no way I can drag the daughter of a cop into my life.

“What do your parents do?” Her question is the same one I asked, except it’s not something I’m at liberty to tell her.

“My dad’s an entrepreneur, and my mom was a teacher before she married my dad. Now, she’s practically his under—business partner, I guess you could say.” Fuck me, I almost said underboss. It’s something my brothers and I joke about often. There is nothing that happens in our family that my mom doesn’t know about. I really need to get away from this girl. I can’t think straight. If I could bring myself to stand up and walk away, I fucking would. I can’t though. It’s like she’s trapped me in her orbit. Blinded me with her brightness.

“So, do you plan to be the eternal bachelor then? If you don’t believe in soul mates? Marriage?”

“I believe in what’s in front of my eyes,” I tell her. And I believe I might have just stumbled upon the one girl who was meant for me. It’s a cruel fucking joke. To send me the perfect girl and make sure she’s the same one I can’t fucking have.

“And what’s that?” she asks.

“I believe that you are the answer to my dreams, Livvy.” My eyes drop to her chest as her breath hitches. “I believe you’re going to make sure I pass this assignment with flying colors,” I add on.

Livvy clears her throat. “Right… I, ah, I’ll have a look tonight and email you a study plan. That’s if you want to continue sessions with me…?”

“Why the fuck wouldn’t I?”

“I’m not sure? Some people, a lot of people, don’t really gel well with me. It’s okay if you don’t. I can recommend other tutors.”

My gaze peers into hers. “Those people who don’t gel well with you are fucking idiots, Livvy, and you’re far better off without them.” I mean every word I tell her.

She lifts one shoulder in a half shrug. “I’m used to it. It’s okay. So, what’s your schedule like? I’m free on Tuesdays, same time, and Thursdays and Friday nights.”

“I’ll take all of them.”

“Really, you want three sessions a week?”

“I need a lot of help.” I smirk.

“Okay, well, how about we meet back here Thursday at six thirty?” she suggests.

Two days away. I have to wait two days to see her again. Well, to talk to her anyway. “That’s fine. I’ll see you here.”

“Okay, I’ll email you later tonight or tomorrow morning with some things for you to look up and consider.”

“Sure, sounds good.”

“Thank you.” She stands when I do.

I give Livvy a small wave rather than pull her into my arms and kiss the fucking life out of her like I want to. Cold showers are going to become my friend.





Chapter Four





I left the library early tonight. I still felt like I was being watched, but it wasn’t the same as a few nights ago when it made my skin crawl. My phone rings as I’m walking home. I glance at the screen. It’s my parents.

“Hey,” I answer.

“Hey, honey. How’s life in the Big Smoke? Ready to come home yet?” my dad asks.

“Ah, not yet. College is good, and New York is good. It’s not half as bad as you think it is,” I tease.

“No, it’s worse. Listen, I got a call from an old buddy of mine who’s working out of the Manhattan district.”