Page 58 of Frayed Bonds

I burst into a fit of coughs as the tequila I’m trying to enjoy goes down the wrong pipe.

“It is a bit strong, sorry I should've warned you.” Adriano pats my back gently.

The tequila is everything but strong, it’s enjoyable; the weight of his stare is the only strong thing. When I recover and look up, everyone's eyes stare back at me with concern, and when I meet his gaze, I see a small tilt of his lip as his eyes rake over my body before he gives his full attention back to Enzo.

“Wow, at least give a guy a warning before you eye fuck his brother from across the room.”

My head snaps up to Adriano. “What?”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “Nothing, Val.”

He leaves me to rejoin Augustus, who has been oddly quiet. I follow after him intending to go to greet Gus, when a sleek black suit blocks my path.

My neck cranes up, and I muster up the most innocent face I can as I stare up into his eyes. He rubs his palm across the stubble on his cheek, “Surprised my mamá let you off the hook so easily, what did you do? Lie?”

“She was a bit preoccupied,” I roll my eyes. “Besides, why would I lie when I could tell her the truth?”

“Which is?”

“That her son has been keeping me busy, paying me to be his date.”

Amusement dances in his eyes. “Touché, sweetheart.”

“Okay everyone, take your seats, dinner is ready!” Gianna yells as she steps into the courtyard.

“Val,” Antonio calls me, and I have to force myself to look away from Ambrose's captivating stare. I head over to where Antonio is standing, but not before looking over my shoulder to look back at Ambrose. His eyes move back up to mine and the guilty smirk draws across his face as he shrugs and mouths a half-assed. "Sorry."

“Mamá assigned seats,” Antonio says with an apologetic smile as he pulls out my seat for me.

“It's okay, how bad can it be?” I say, and stare down at the two names next to mine. Enzo to one side, and Ambrose to the other.

“Cazzo,” I whisper and flop into my seat.

A few minutes later, everyone has taken their seats and I glance up at Antonio who sits opposite me. “You’ll be fine,” he mouths.

“Valerie, how are you doing?” Enzo leans down to me.

I shift in the opposite direction and accidentally bump into Ambrose, who stiffens almost as quickly as I do.

“Since you saw me on Friday? Just fine, thanks, Lorenzo.” I say in a clipped tone.

“C’mon Val, can I call you Val? We've known each other for forever, no need to be using each other's full names still.”

“Well, your father loved the name so much he shared it with you, so I’m sure he’d appreciate me using it.”

A stifled laughter from behind me draws his attention up before he backs up and focuses on the conversation Adriano has started about a story he heard about Ariella.

“So, Valerie,” Gianna's voice perks up so loudly that nearly the entire table turns to face her, before returning to their original conversations. “Antonio was telling me you're working as Ambrose's assistant now? How did this all happen?”

There isn't an air of judgement in her tone, but more of one of sheer curiosity.

Gianna hasn't always lived the lavish life she does today. She was a young struggling model before she met Luciano, and he gave her the silver platter she eats off today. The modelling career also explains the boy's immaculate looks and god-sent height, with Adriano being the shortest at 6 '0".

“I moved back and needed a job to support myself until my art commissions started doing well again. Antonio was generous enough to suggest the job.”

“Well generous isn't the word considering it means working for Ambrose,” Antonio jumps in and I feel Ambrose stiffen next to me. “When you do land your first commission, let me know if you need any help with the sketches, I’ve been wanting to get back into it.” He adds on and nods.

“C’mon Nino, he’s not that bad.” Gianna chastises the youngest Vitale, who still pouts as if he's seven.

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