Page 101 of Forgotten Deeds

“How do you feel about that?” I ask, unsure if Nicky wants her in-laws so close.

“It’s one less worry for Romeo, so I’m fine with it. Except for Nonna’s incessant campaign for a great grandchild,” she says with a smile, shaking her head. “I’ve locked up my birth control like a maximum-security prison.”

“Would she really mess with it?” Even though I have an IUD, I’m suddenly grateful my mother-in-law is on the other side of the world.

She shrugs. “Probably not, but just to play it safe.”

Valentina and the man walk around the pool house, with Valentina pointing to various things. She hands him a binder before making her way to us.

“Hey, Lily,” she greets me, pulling her coverup over her head and plopping down on the lounge chair beside me.

“Hey, Valentina,” I say.

“The crew’s going to start with the renovations tomorrow,” Valentina tells Nicky. “But you can tell Romeo I’m not moving in until the pool house is finished, I don’t care what he says.”

Nicky shakes her head. “Nope. I’m not getting in the middle of that.”

“Come on! He just told me I can’t walk at graduation, and he’s canceled my party—which is complete bullshit,” she says crossly.

“Valentina, it’s just not safe right now to have that much public exposure. Or to have so many people in and out of Antonio’s house,” Nicky says. I’m not sure why it’s not safe, but I don’t ask. “And your party isn’t canceled; it’s just been downsized and moved to Daniella’s.”

“So you’re taking his side?” Valentina huffs.

Nicky holds up her hands. “I’m not taking sides.” Her phone goes off, and she checks the message. “Sorry to bail, but I’m needed at the clinic.”

“Darius?” I ask, my stomach dropping.

“Not Darius.” She pats my arm.

“Sammy?” Valentina asks, crossing her fingers.

“Sorry, also not Sammy,” Nicky tells Valentina. “Hopefully the next time you come over, we can hang out longer,” she tells me apologetically.

“I look forward to it,” I tell her.

“Lily and I will have plenty of fun while you’re gone. Go do your fancy doctor stuff.” Valentina tells her, and Nicky, nods, hurrying inside.

“Ugh, just when I thought my morning couldn’t get any worse,” Valentina exclaims. I follow her gaze to see Sammy approaching.

“Lily. Valentina.” Eyeing her skimpy bikini, he orders, “Go change.”

“Fuck you.” She crosses her arms. “I’m an adult, and you aren’t the boss of me.”

“I’m the underboss, so yes, I am the boss of you,” he corrects her.

She snorts. “How can anyone forget? You might as well wear a name tag: ‘Hello, my name is Underboss.’ As if your ego wasn’t big enough.”

“Lots of big things about me,” he says suggestively.

Valentina makes a gagging sound. “Too bad a brain isn’t on that ‘big’ list.”

“Excuse me,” I interject. “Is there a restroom?” I don’t particularly need to go that badly, but I want to escape the line of fire.

“Inside the pool house. First door on the right,” Valentina tells me, before setting her sights back on Sam and unloading in Italian.

I hurry inside the pool house, finding the bathroom. After using the toilet, I wash my hands and open the door, squealing in surprise. Darius is blocking the exit, dressed in workout clothes and drenched in sweat, looking like he’s about to eat me alive.

I stumble back, and he advances, closing and locking the door behind him. “I didn’t know a little whore was going to be here this morning—flaunting what’s mine for every motherfucker to see,” he says in a menacing tone, his eyes having gone wild.

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