Page 57 of Frayed Bonds

“Okay,” I say as my eyes shift between the two of them and the TV. “Antonio is fetching me for family dinner and bringing Giovanni's for both of you. Cool? Cool.” I answer for them before jogging back up the stairs. I can hear Karyn calling after me, but all my mind is consumed with is figuring out what I’m going to wear

The answer quite literally falls into my lap when a dress I almost forgot about slips off its hanger onto the bottom of my closet. It’s the perfect winter dress and most importantly, it’s pink.

True to his word, Antonio messages me to say he’s here at exactly 7 p.m. Thankfully, I've mastered the art of doing my makeup in ten minutes, after realising I didn't shower after my run, I still had to do that and wash my hair as well. I settled on leaving my hair natural instead of straightening it, even though I hate how frizzy it gets.

Rushing down the stairs I come to a stop when I find Antonio in the kitchen with my papá and Karyn, showing them everything he bought at Giovanni’s

“You said you'd get them dinner, not Giovanni's entire store.” I frown, staring at the large amount of food on the table.

“Giovanni said your papá loves all of these, so I got everything.” Antonio shrugs innocently, but his eyes gleam with mischief as he continues to attempt to butter up my father.

“We should get going though, my mamá hates it when we’re late.” Antonio smiles, then shakes my father’s hand and hugs Karyn. He gestures for me to exit the kitchen first, and I roll my eyes before yelling my goodbyes.

“Thank you,” I whisper as we get into the car. Although I teased him about it, I know what he is doing. Antonio easily bought enough groceries, both fresh and some ready-made meals, to last us the next week.

“It’s no stress, Val. Besides, I did it for your papá, not you,” Antonio smirks, and we’re back to bickering for nearly the entire car ride.

Chapter twenty-one

Valerie

The villa is unchanged; the only obvious difference is the lack of Luciano Vitale’s overbearing presence. It didn’t settle as deeply at his funeral because of how many people were at the villa that night, but now that it’s just the immediate family, it’s as if a shotgun hole is left in his place.

“Mamá has been asking me to invite you over, but with everything that’s been going on, and all the travelling, I figured it wasn't the best time,” Antonio says, as he leads me through the large courtyard towards the actual entryway.

“It’s okay, I know it’s been a rough time for all of you, how is she holding up?”

He stays silent as we enter the kitchen and I hear Gianna’s laugh ring through the air. Opposite her is a well-built man, Luca, the boys’ godfather, who has never looked his age. His now salt-and-pepper hair is the only clue to his real age. He must be making a joke that has their mamá near tears from laughter.

“She’s been doing just fine,” Antonio says in a clipped tone.

I stare up at him in confusion before staring back at the two. “No. The two of them?” I whisper.

Antonio shrugs, walking further into the room. “Mamá,” he says loudly to announce our presence, and Gianna turns to face the two of us.

“Val, finally! I’ve been asking Nino to invite you over since the funeral.” She embraces me in a hug.

Luca offers me a light nod and a smile.

“I knew things were probably a bit tense after so I didn't want to intrude,” I say.

She waves me off. “You know you're part of the family, even Luciano would have been surprised at how scarce you’ve been since moving home.”

“Val does have her own life, Mamá,” Antonio interjects.

“Oh, and I can’t wait to hear all about it, please head out, the boys are all out there already. We’ll be out in a sec,” she says, and gestures to the back patio.

“You got off lightly,” Antonio chuckles and kisses the top of my head guiding me towards the door.

I elbow him in the ribs and follow him down the few stairs that lead out to the main outdoor seating area. Adriano and Augustus are sitting at the table watching a video on Adriano's phone. Mattia is here as well, but he’s sitting on one of the bannisters scrolling on his phone. Ariella stumbles out behind us and walks towards Mattia.

I try my best not to notice, but relief washes over my body when I realise he’s not out here.

“Little Val,” Adriano calls out as he stands up to come greet me. He hands me a glass with an amber liquid, and by the look on his face, I know it's tequila. Our favourite.

“It’s a special one. Augustus met up with one of our customers that works out in Venezuela, and he says this is a new tequila that's ripping through their market down there.” His face beams as he continues to tell me the details of the liquid.

I lift the glass to my lips and take a sip trying to savour the taste. My eyes meet a pair from across the room as he and Enzo enter from the courtyard below. He does a double take and his attention is drawn away from the conversation he’s having, to look at me.

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