Page 66 of Days Of Valentino

“Put this in the glove box.” I hand him the finger.

“What is it?” he asks, unfolding the paper. “Jesus Christ, Seb.” He shakes his head and opens the glove box.

“I’m hungry. Let’s stop by Helena’s.” I clean off my hands with a wet wipe and manage to get rid of most of the blood. I’ll wash them better once we get there. The café has been in the family for generations. When our Great Aunt Helena wanted out of the business, she passed it down to my Aunt Tilly.

The moment I step into the café, I’m instantly put on high alert. My heart starts beating faster. I scan the occupants, and everyone is silently staring back in my direction.

“What the fuck?” Romeo hisses from behind me.

Nothing ever happens here. No one in their right mind is stupid enough to mess with my Zia Tilly. Not only is she a Valentino, but she’s also married to the Don of the Gambino family.

My gaze falls onto the spot that I usually occupy. A cozy wingback chair by the fireplace. And that’s when I spot why everyone is looking at me. Some even ducked under their tables.

Bright-green eyes, framed by fiery red hair, briefly meet mine before they return to the screen in her hand. She’s sitting in my seat. No one fucking sits in my seat.

I blink. Twice.Is that a halo above her head?

I must be seeing things, because this woman looks like a fallen angel. I’m frozen to the spot. I’m completely enamored by her. Then I remember everyone’s still waiting for me. Waiting to see what I’ll do with the girl bold enough to sit herself in my chair. She must be new. I would remember if I saw her around before.

“Torna a quello che stavi facendo. Chiunque tocchi quella ragazza mi risponderai.”Go back to what you were doing. Anyone who touches that girl will answer to me, I tell them in Italian. Even if they don’t understand me, everyone gets the message and the chatter resumes. “We’ll eat in the office tonight. Make sure she gets whatever she wants, Zia Tilly.”

“Sure thing, sweetie.” My aunt smiles at me. “Don’t fight it,” she adds when I walk away.

I pause in my tracks. But I don’t turn around.Don’t fight what?