Page 24 of DeLucas After Dark

“Me?”

“We need to discuss your schedule. Specifically, this need you’ve developed to take on every shift that keeps you from home at night.”

From the way Valentino bites off each word, he’s held his opinion to himself for some time. I glance away to school my features. When he’s on a mission, he sees too much, and I can’t afford for him to see what’s driving me. I face him once more, assured I won’t give him reason to probe too deeply.

“How long are you expecting to stay?”

“That depends on what this favor entails. Sansone hasn’t shared a lot of details, but he knows I won’t go anywhere with how fragile our family is right now.”

I nod, understanding his reasons. “Sansone is family, too. If he’s in a lurch we should help him. God knows he saved our lives when your father was out to ruin us, and he’s never asked for anything. It’s the least we can do.”

“Thanks, I appreciate how quickly you’re on board.” He unfolds his arms and pats me on the shoulder.

“I’ll make whatever arrangements I have to if it will show Sansone my appreciation.”

“He already knows. Sansone protects you because he considers you another brother.”

“It never hurts to let him know.”

“What?” Valentino asks as a question pops into my mind.

“How do we tell Sloane without her giving us that I-told-you-so glare?”

“Last time I checked, she still likes surprises. As long as we coach it that way, she can’t accuse us of keeping secrets or ganging up on her.”

“Sometimes I hate your knack for twisting things, but it will come in handy in this respect.” I rub my chin, mulling over how to stage everything to minimize the questions. “When do you want us to tell her? With enough time, I can make it special.”

“Two days. Her staff will need to make arrangements to bow out of her existing commitments. While I don’t mind looking like an asshole for bowing out of the holiday engagements, I won’t allow bad publicity to mar Douglas’ First Lady.” A fierce light enters Valentino’s eyes. It’s a regular reaction whenever he thinks someone in some way might disrespect our wife.

I don’t pity the person who causes that look. It’s probably better if Valentino handles them. No one wants to go up against me when I have zero fucks left to give. And I find that when it comes to Sloane’s feelings getting hurt, I don’t have many fucks to begin with.

“Two days, got it. I’ll put together something that will bring the smile to her face.”

“Now about these shifts of yours…”

I stand, putting an end to the conversation.

“Going to avoid the other problem?”

“There isn’t another problem.” I stride toward the door.

“Tácito,” he warns on my wrist device since my back is turned. “You know I am a man of limited patience. What you’re doing is affecting all of us. You’re hurting yourself and forcing us to watch.”

“That’s not what this is, I swear.” I spin around to see the worry bracketing his mouth.

Sometimes I forget how well Valentino takes on our problems. It’s frustrating and comforting to know he will always have our backs even when we don’t see how. Right now, I need to quash his tendency to go behind me and solve my problems. He won’t be able to hide his heartache from Sloane.

An image of her on my table rises in my head. I try to shake it, but it’s embedded in my memory. I don’t want to imagine how she’ll react if she ever learns of everything we lost because of Giulio.

“Valentino, what I’m dealing with isn’t something you can strategize away, you can’t stab or shoot it, and you definitely can’t make it better. Only I can. And I’m doing my best.”

I leave before he can say something else to keep me. As my foot meets the pavement outside City Hall, my device pulses against my wrist. “You’re wrong. I can be the ear to lighten the burden you carry.”

Pendejo.

I stifle the sob and cover my mouth while I flee to a safe corner where I can let my feelings out in private.

SLOANE

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