Page 23 of Fortress of the Soul

I also feel a sudden urge to rip his eyeballs from their sockets and feed them to him one by one. He’s lucky I’m not Rocco; he wouldn’t have lasted this long and still be breathing.

Toby opens his mouth and then closes it again. I could take this weasel before he’s even registered his designer nose job is broken.

I’d fucking take pleasure in it too.

“I’ll see you at the wedding, of course?” Toby tilts his head to the side.

The guy seriously can’t take a hint.

“Of course.” Valentina shrugs. “Enzo and I will both be there.”

He looks utterly thrilled by that prospect. Not.

I decide this is quite enough bullshit between them for one night and tug my arm around her waist further. “We really gotta go, Val.”

Valentina nods and then shrugs toward Toby as he watches us saunter away. Completely fucking destroyed. That was her aim, after all.

I keep my arm around her as we walk across the floor. I’ve no intention of making her leave early. That was just a ploy to get away from him and make him think we were going to fuck somewhere.

Bride-to-be Sarah stops us in our tracks somewhere between the bar and the restaurant partition, where there’s a buffet being organized. She already gave me the onceover when she first saw me and visibly approved in all but two seconds.

“Not so fast, you two!” she gushes. Her cheeks are pink, and she’s clearly downed a few champagne cocktails. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Duty calls.” I waggle my eyebrows at her

Valentina elbows me in the ribs.

Sarah throws her head back and laughs. “You little devils!”

“He’s joking.” Valentina rolls her eyes. I’m not sure why she’s getting so upset about me proclaiming the fact I want to fuck her. This will teach her to use other people to get to an old flame.

“I wasn’t exactly,” I mutter. I give Sarah my most charming, dazzling smile.

“She’s kept you a little secret.” Sarah giggles.

“Yes, herdirtylittle secret,” I offer over the back of my hand with a smirk and a wink.

In my periphery, I see Valentina’s eyes widen. She glances up at me, but I don’t look at her.

“How in the world did you get past all those brothers of hers?” She seems genuinely intrigued.

“Hello, you two! I am still standing here!” Valentina butts in.

Sarah laughs and wafts that notion away with her hand.

“It wasn’t too hard,” I go on. “I’m an old family friend. We’ve known each other for years.”

She looks genuinely impressed. I don’t know why Valentina keeps suggesting I’m kidding; it seems I’m more into playing this part than she is.

“You’re so modest, Enzo. I’m sure that’s not the only reason!” She raises her champagne glass, and I clink it to my club soda that I just swiped from the waiter.

I smirk. If only they really knew.

“I want to see you two out on the dancefloor tonight,” she instructs, beaming her head off. “That’s an order.”

“Bossy much.” Valentina guzzles down some champagne. I frown at her, giving her a squeeze around her middle.

“You can’t deny the bride-to-be.” I grin over Valentina’s shoulder. I had no intention of doing any such thing on the dancefloor, but I’m swiftly coming to the conclusion ofwhen in Rome…

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