Page 6 of Cutting Ties
“Relationships aren’t a priority right now. There’s more important things to worry about.”
“I bet. Then how about you mind your own business and deal with what’s important to you. Family sure as hell isn’t.”
“Asher and Valentina, you two had better not be arguing in front of our guest.” As if by cue, our mother appeared in the doorway. “We have a visitor. Arguing is not a way to care for a guest who has come such a long way.”
My mother was so graceful she practically floated down the stairs to us. “Asher, please have Camilla set the table for supper. Tell her to tell Carlos that we want something extra special for supper. We have a special guest tonight.”
Doing as requested, Asher made his way back into the house, leaving us with my mother.
Looking up at Anthony, I gave him a smile. Leaning into him I whispered. “Sorry, I should have warned you she may want you to stay.”
Anthony
The interaction with Asher had been intense, but it was to be expected. There was no way in hell I was going to let him intimidate me. I wasn’t part of his organization and I wasn’t here for him. I was here because of his sister. There was no reason for me to be threatened by him.
But damn, he was intense. As it was, his introduction was cold at best, I’d hate to be someone that he had it in for. Valentina was special, and if it meant I had to deal with her psychotic brother in order to be with her, then I’d do what I had to do. If I proposed – and she accepted – we wouldn’t even be residing in the same country, so Asher was simply part of what would have to be endured from time to time. I could see why she didn’t date though; he most likely scared all the poor assholes who wanted to be with her off before they even had a chance to get to know her.
“I’m so happy you made it safe, Anthony.” Valentina’s mother approached and gave me a kiss on both cheeks, followed by a motherly hug. Valentina’s mother was nearly as tall as her daughter would be if Valentina were also in her bare feet. She was wearing a peach colored pantsuit that was loose and flowy. While her hair was silver, her dark eyes still had a fire in them that you’d expect from a woman half her age. “I’m her mother, Luciana Rossi.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.” Picking the flowers back up, I cursed myself for forgetting that I should also have brought a gift for her mother. I hadn’t expected to meet the whole family. It made me wonder if I’d get the pleasure of meeting her father as well over dinner. Opening the bouquet, I separated the flowers, giving half to the Valentina and then the other half to her mother.
Her mother smiled, bringing the flowers up to her nose and inhaling the fragrance. “My pleasure. Come inside so we can chat before we eat. You are staying, correct?”
Giving a quick look to Valentina, who nodded for final conformation, I responded, “I would love to join you. Will Costello be joining us as well?”
“No. He’s out of the country on business. Asher is here, which is an unexpected yet happy surprise. He hasn’t been home much lately and is leaving tomorrow to go back to Helka in a couple of days, from my understanding.” Turning from us, she made her way to the stairs. At the top of the stairs she motioned for us to follow her into the house.
“Any more surprises for me?” I whispered to Valentina, giving her a side hug. I wasn’t angry, I just wished she’d given me a heads-up on a few things so I could have prepared myself.
“None that I know of.” She gave me a coy smile. “I apologize. I’ll make it up to you later.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
She turned to my driver, who was standing outside the car awaiting instructions, then said something to him in Spanish that I couldn’t make out. Fuck, I really needed to work on my Spanish.
“Si, senorita.”
She led me up the stairs and into the house. “The driver will be waiting for you when we’re done. We’ll make sure he’s provided for while he waits.” Her mother had already made a hasty retreat, I suspected to make sure her orders were being adhered to in regards to supper.
“Thank you.”
Entering the house, she took my hand. “How about I show you around while we wait? Supper should be served in a little over an hour. Carlos is the best chef in Colombia. He’s even been on one of those cooking shows.”
“That would be great.” The house was so large I’d guess that it would take over an hour just to do a quick overview of it and the grounds.
