Page 34 of Unassuming Queen (Valentino Empire 2)

“Well, I’m glad you’re here. Dad’s coming home next week. He will love that we’re all together. I still can’t believe it!” My mum runs her hands over my hair. It’s a comfort I haven’t felt in a long time, and I fight the tears threatening to escape.

Daddy’s coming home? How did I let that slip my mind? “Yeah, it’s a miracle, Mum,” I agree, while looking at Neo. It’s because of T… that’s why my dad is coming home early. But I can’t say that.

“Okay, now, tell me what this visit’s really all about? And don’t bullshit me, Holly Reynolds.”

Gloria walks into the kitchen as my mother is scolding me. Great, now I have to introduce my mother-in-law to my mother, when I haven't even told my mother I have a mother-in-law in the first place. “Ah, Mum, I kind of met someone. Someone very special. Amazing. You’re going to love him, because I do. So how could you not, right? He’s caring, considerate, everything.”

“Okay, so where is he?” My mum looks around, and her eyes land on Neo.

“Not me.” He shakes his head.

“He’s in Italy, on business, but he’ll be meeting up with me here in a few weeks.” I keep my voice calm, positive. Will he be meeting me here? I bloody hope so.

“Oh, okay. Well, that’s nice. I’m happy for you. So, will I get to meet this boyfriend of yours when he arrives?” Mum raises an eyebrow as she looks directly at my ring finger, where the huge bloody rock Theo put there still sits.

“Yeah, about that… I kind of got married.” I hold up my hand like she hasn’t already noticed the new jewelry. My mum stands there, in silence. She doesn’t say anything, just stares for the longest time.

“Oh, shit, Hol, I think you actually broke her. Mum, you okay?” Reilly asks, stepping forward and waving her hands in front of our mother’s face.

“What do you mean you got married? You were my last hope at actually planning a wedding for one of my daughters.” Mum glares at Reilly, who just recently ran off to Vegas and eloped with Bray.

“Well, good news! Theo—that’s his name, by the way—he still wants the big wedding. We were just discussing it this afternoon, weren’t we, Gloria? Oh, and this is Gloria, Theo’s mum. Gloria, my mum… Lynne.” I introduce the two.

“It’s lovely to meet you. You’ve raised quite a remarkable daughter, Lynne. We are very lucky to have her join our family.” Gloria smiles, while Neo almost chokes on his drink.

Everyone turns to face him. “Sorry, went down the wrong way,” he sputters.

“Anyway, Mum, why don’t you stay here and chat about Holly’s big day with Gloria. We’re going out to the club for a few hours.” Reilly pulls me away.

“Ah, no, Holly can’t go to the club.” Neo blocks the door.

“And why’s that?” Reilly asks with a smile.

He looks to my mother; he can’t say much with the current audience. “Because it’s late, and she’s tired.” The excuse is lame, and even he knows it.

“Nice try. Now, move. We need to get ready. Don’t worry, I brought a dress over for you,” Reilly says.

Great, that means she brought me a scrap of fabric to wear.

* * *

What Reilly failed to mention was that she brought usmatchingdresses. We haven’t worn matching dresses since we were kids… when we wereforcedto. “Seriously, Reilly? We look ridiculous.” I pull at the extremely short, emerald-green, silk material—which is more like a negligee than an actual article of clothing. It’s completely backless, the fabric sitting just under my ass.

“Speak for yourself. I look fucking fantastic. Bray is going to be extra hard all night.” She winks.

“Not helping. Maybe I should just throw on a cardigan or something,” I suggest.

“Nope, we’re going. Come on. We’re already late. Sarah is meeting us there. Alyssa is at home and probably sleeping. Remind me to never get knocked up. That shit doesn’t look fun.” Reilly laughs as we make our way downstairs.

“No fucking way! You’re purposely tryin’ to get me shot. Whichever one of you is Holly, turn your ass around, go back up there, and put some damn clothes on,” Neo growls—yes, actually growls.

Bray chuckles and walks straight to Reilly, wrapping his arms around her. “You look fucking hot, babe. I might actually get to hit someone tonight.”

I don’t know how he does it, how he always manages to tell us apart, when we look exactly the same. “Hold up, how do you know that one’s Reilly?” Neo asks.

“You really think I don’t know my own wife?” Bray squints at him.

“Clearly you do,” Neo mumbles. Then he turns to me. “Holly, please, for the love of God, put some fucking clothes on. T is gonna kill me when he finds out I’ve let you go out looking likethat,” he practically begs.

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