Page 20 of Fortress of the Soul

“Why not? You can let loose a little bit, E. I won’t tell Angelo.”

He gives me an eye roll. “I never drink on the job.”

I snort a laugh, then realize he’s being serious. “I hope you’re not going to be a stick in the mud this entire weekend,” I say as he closes his door. “Because that will be really boring.”

He gives me a side eye. “Lucky for you, I don’t care what you think is boring, Valentina, all that matters is keeping you safe. Angelo has powerful enemies, never forget that.”

“Like I could forget,” I mutter.

He pulls out of the lot with a sigh. “You’re Dominic Medici’s only daughter,” he goes on as if I’m dumb.“The world isn’t a safe place. Maybe it never was.”

“Very poetic,” I quip. But I know he is right.

I can’t help the stabbing in my heart at the mention of my father, the man I’ve heard so much about, but never got to know. He was collecting fruit from the market with Angelo when he was gunned down in the street.

Angelo held him as he bled to death. To this day, I can’t fathom what that must have been like for him. It’s not like that’s something you can just one day get over.

I swallow roughly and look across at Enzo.

“Do you understand me, Valentina?” His voice is softer. I know he means well, just like those annoying brothers of mine.

“I get it,” I reply sharply. I turn my face away and look out of the window.

We drive in silence to the venue. I’ve had no time at all to think about what the hell I’m going to say to my friends about Enzo. Some of my friends know him, some know of him, but it’s the first time they’re going to see us together-together.

I have to remind myself that this was my not so brilliant plan in the first place, and now I have to keep up with it. I’m sure it won’t be too hard with him looking the way he does and smelling like a dream, though it would’ve been a whole lot sweeter if he’d just agreed to be my fake boyfriend.

Some people simply do not know how to have fun, and I’m only just realizing how serious Enzo has become. Maybe it’s the pressures of the job.

Enzo spots the bar easily, and I can see the party is in full swing when we arrive.

Sarah and I met in college. She may be from an affluent family and have the best of everything, but she’s nice and nowhere near as bad as Enzo was making out. He doesn’t even know her, or any of my friends. He has no right to judge.

I turn to him as he escorts me toward the door. “Please try and loosen up,” I say. “I know this is a major drag for you, but you could at least make it seem like you’re pretending to have a good time.”

His eyes narrow at my sarcasm and I feel somewhat vindicated that at least that got to him. I don’t want to piss him off any further, but he looks like he just found out there’s no Santa Claus.

He opens the door for me as I smile sweetly, but before I enter, he yanks me on the back of the pants to halt me in my tracks and whispers, “Just keep that mouth running, sweetheart, and you’ll see exactly how much of a drag I am.”

I whip my head around to look back at him. “Is that a threat, Enzo Russo?” I can’t hide the little smile that plays on my lips, though I’m a little shocked at his words. His breath on my neck sends shivers down my spine.

“That’s a promise, kiddo.”

I always hated that nickname, and I know he’s only using it to annoy me.

He urges me forward with a light push of his hand on the small of my back. The sensation sends a tingle through my body, even though it’s the lightest touch.

The music inside drowns out any irrational thoughts I may have.

There are people mingling everywhere. Waiters with trays of tapas circle the room and as we enter, we’re each offered a glass of champagne. Enzo politely refuses and orders a mineral water, ensuring his status is firm on being a stick in the mud.

Sarah comes bouncing up to me with her groom-to-be trailing behind as she throws her arms around me.

“Sarah!”

“Valentina, it’s been so long!” she purrs as we embrace.

“Too long,” I agree.

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