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Valentina scolds him. “Enzo.” She shakes her head, folding her pale pink manicured hands and resting her chin on them. “Me and my husband are all of the Moretti children's godparents. I may not have agreed with their papa much but Soraya was my best friend.” The way she says Enzo's mother's name has a hint of sadness to it. Enzo rolls his shoulder, looking around at the room. She clears her throat, clearing the heaviness that settles over the table and shakes a napkin out, placing it on her lap elegantly. “So, tell me. How did you both meet?”
Luca groans, throwing his head back against the chair. “Are we going to gossip all night?”
Valentina purses her lips. “We talk business tomorrow. Don't be rude, Luca.” She chastises him like a mother and it makes me smile. God knows these men need it.
She points a jewelled finger towards him. “I want to hear about your upcoming nuptials too.” Luca rolls his eyes dramatically. Servers come out with dishes and plates hurrying around us. Valentina thanks each one by name and it makes me like her that much more. She interlocks her fingers leaning back against her chair and waiting for our reply.
“I was dancing at one of his strip clubs.”
Enzo chuckles and the sound settles deep in my chest with the collection of others. “That's not all of it. One of the customers grabbed her so she hit him.” He smiles proudly at me and it makes me feel all warm inside.
Valentina leans forward on her elbows looking at Enzo. “I like her, she has fire.” He winks at me.
“Why is Francesca not here with you? I miss her.” Valentina says as she cuts into her steak.
“She said she had too much going on with her exams.”
Valentina smiles warmly. “She's so focused on her studies.”
“I think she just wants them out of the way,” Enzos says.
Valentina's eyes flick up and they become worried. “And how is she? Is she doing better?”
Enzo's jaw ticks ever so slightly. I'd miss it if I wasn't so aware of his every move. “She's doing better.”
Luca chimes in, pushing some food around his plate. “She's struggling with Salvatore's death.” I'm not surprised he doesn't call him ‘dad’ but the tone is void of all emotion. I wonder if he cared at all seeing his father die.
Valentina sighs. “You should have brought her, I'm sure Nero would love to see her. He is good at cheering her up and Francesca always had such a calming effect on my Nero.” She turns my way. “Nero is my eldest son.” I nod along like I didn’t just meet him earlier today. “I always hoped for a marriage between Nero and Francesca.” She says simply. It's an off-handed comment but I see how Luca stiffens.
“She won't have an arranged marriage,” Luca says bluntly.
Valentina rolls her eyes. “I don't mean arranged, Luca. They are drawn to each other. Like twin flames.”
Luca scoffs. “No such thing.” Valentina gives him a knowing look before putting a piece of steak into her mouth.
“And how is Vittoria?” Enzo asks.
She smiles, her eyes creasing at the edges. The only show of age I've seen on her. “She’s Vittoria. She reminds me too much of myself at that age. Sixteen and thinks she knows everything.” She laughs. “You should come and visit. They would love to see Francesa and Benny.” Her eyes flit to someone behind me and a large man stands by the door. Valentina nods and he approaches her, leaning down to whisper in her ear. Her expression changes completely as she listens. It goes from warm to ice cold in a matter of a blink, eyes sharpening on a point in the distance as she listens.
“Ellas pueden esperar.” She says sharply. The man takes his leave quickly and she sighs.
“Problem?” Luca asks, eyebrows raising in expectation.
“The Yakuza.” She bats her hand through the air. “They won't give up on Las Vegas, no matter how many times we beat them back.”
“If you need to deal with it, don't let us stop you,” Enzo says.
Valentina tsks. “It's nothing they can’t handle without me. I’m sure Nero would be glad to go spill a little blood anyway. You know how boys his age are.” She huffs a laugh, taking a deep sip of her red wine and smiling softly. “That reminds me, Pietro sends his regards. He wanted to be here but it is not the time to leave Vegas.” She says her husband's name with such love and respect after so many years, I hope that Enzo and I will be like that one day. Old enough to look back on what you've built together and still hold that love for each other like when you first began.
41
Casimira
Antioquia, Colombia
Enzo took Benny with him to visit a Coca farm in the middle of the jungle today and left before I even woke up, leaving me with Carms and Luca. He said something about showing Benny the ropes. I love it when he talks like a parent, I don't know why it's just so hot. So responsible. Even if he is taking him to a drug farm.
I’m in the pool, attempting to teach Ares how to swim but he's more focused on splashing than anything. Luca steps out from the patio doors, spots us and frowns. He kicks off his sliders and jumps in the pool, wading his way over to us.
