Page 116 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

“Not at all. What a pleasant surprise to see you again, Arianna,” Gennaro replied, his voice laced with fake enthusiasm.

“Good evening, Mr Villetti,” I said, unable to hide the way my voice shook on the words.

Zayn squeezed my hand. I stood a little taller, trying desperately to compose myself. I’d dealt with worse. Hell, I was the daughter of a gangster.

Get your shit together, Ari.

The auburn-haired woman came forward, her eyes on me even as she stood before Zayn.

“Martina,” he said with a warm smile before they gave each other air kisses. “This is Arianna, my partner. Ari, this is my aunt.”

“Your partner, you say?” Martina’s eyebrow quirked up. “Well, aren’t you beautiful?” She gave me a bright smile before enfolding me in her arms.

“Um, thank you,” I said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Come, meet my daughters.”

Martina released me and linked my arm with hers, forcing me away from Zayn. I looked back at him. He gave me a nod before he stepped over to his father with Arlo on his tail.

“These are my daughters, Verona, Sofia and Rina,” Martina told me, indicating each of them when we reached the sofa containing the three women. “Say hello to Arianna, your cousin’s girlfriend, girls.”

Martina left me with them, moving away towards Zayn, Arlo and Gennaro. I didn’t know what to make of her dumping me with her daughters.

Verona was the dark blonde girl who gave me the once over with an almost sneer on her face. Sofia jumped up immediately and shook my hand. Rina, on the other hand, was still blushing and barely put her book down to glance up at me.

“Zayn has a girlfriend, eh? Did hell freeze over when I wasn’t paying attention?” Verona said with a smirk. “No offence, but you don’t even look old enough to drink. I’m seriously questioning what our cousin thinks is age-appropriate.”

I almost choked on my own breath, not expecting her to lay into me or Zayn straight away without warning.

What the fuck? Who does this woman think she is?

“Verona! Don’t be so rude,” Sofia said, giving her sister a withering stare before turning to me with an embarrassed smile. “Sorry about her, Arianna.”

I plastered a smile on my face. I’d dealt with girls like Verona at school, and I wasn’t going to take her shit.

“Oh well, thank you. Nice to know I’m retaining my youthful looks. No offence, but I can’t quite say the same about you. What are you? Thirty?”

Verona’s face coloured up. Sofia hid a smile behind her hand and Rina looked at me like I was crazy for giving it right back to her sister.

“Excuse me?” Verona spluttered.

“Oh… did you expect me to be nice after you all but accused your cousin of sleeping with a teenager? Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m more than old enough to drink, which makes me old enough to fuck whoever the hell I want. I suggest next time a member of your family brings their new partner around, you might want to try being a little more tactful. Maybe then they won’t make false assumptions about you.”

I didn’t bother to look at her again as I turned on my heel and stalked away towards the window where Zayn’s brothers were standing.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Verona speechless before,” Enzo said, looking at me with newfound respect. “Do you talk to Zayn like that?”

I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him. He was partially responsible for this mess we were in with Gennaro, as was Gil. I might not have seen him before, but it was obvious he was Zayn’s brother. They all looked so alike.

“Sometimes.”

“I’m surprised he lets you.”

I shrugged. He didn’t exactly let me. I usually earned a punishment for using my smart mouth on him. And I couldn’t say I didn’t do it on purpose either. I wasn’t about to divulge that information to his brothers.

For a long moment, the three of us were silent. Gil was scrutinising me with unnerving intensity. I didn’t know what to say to him or if I should introduce myself. In all honesty, I wanted to go back to Zayn, but he was in deep conversation with his father and aunt. I didn’t want to go near Gennaro if I could help it.

“Have you two met before?” Enzo asked as he looked between us.

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