~ Chapter 8 ~
1278 Words
“What are you doing?” Valentina looked at the man through the mirror and smiled.
“Getting my hair done. As you know, I have an upcoming party to get ready for.”
“You mean the one that’s coming up on Friday at your parents place?” Giovanni took the empty chair by Valentina and she smiled.
“I’m sorry, but my mom doesn’t take well to being underhanded.” Vinny tilted his head to the side as he regarded her in the mirror.
“You know, you would think our moms knew that this war was over.” She couldn’t stop the laugh that came out and she couldn’t deny that she liked the smile he was sporting by her laugh.
“Yeah, tell that to my mom.” He let out a soft chuckle and then glanced around.
“Where are your guards?”
“Are you worried, Vinny?”
“Well, the party…excuse me, parties, are dropping and the announcement will be in that Saturday paper. It’s bad enough you are a mafia daughter, but having your name now tied with mine means you are even more likely in the eye of sight.”
“Are you worried I can’t take care of myself?” She lifted a brow but rather than look in the mirror, she turned her head to look at him.
“No, bella, I know you can.”
“Those two men you always see with me?” she asked and he nodded. He always thought they were friends, or love sick puppies. “Those are my cousins, Tony and Xander; also my guards. Most of our stuff is kept within the family, it makes jobs easier.”
“You can walk around and not be questioned.”
“Yes. I’m also allowed more freedom. And if something was to happen, they are right there rather than trailing me.”
“I will be honest, Val, never thought of that.”
“You know, as a powerful family ourselves, we do have some smarts.” She laughed again and once more he had to smile at the sound.
“So, where are they?”
“Here,” Tony said, walking up behind the couple.
“There’s a back room to this salon; they usually hang out there until I’m done,” she told him. Vinny glanced at the two men, almost laughing to himself at the glare they sent his way. Guess trying to overcome some things from the past was going to be fun for everyone. “Go back guys, I’m almost done,” she told them, waving her hand.
“So, I was wondering…” Valentina watched Vinny, a smile tugging at her lips. He was looking nervous and that was something new for her.
“Yes?”
“I have a bar opening I need to go to Saturday night, as you are my fiancé….”
“Is it decreed I need to always to go with you?”
“No, but it would be nice.”
“I’d love to Giovanni. Just let me know what time to be ready. Will you pick me up?”
“Yeah,” he answered.
“Why are you nervous?” He glanced at her and stood up, offering her a smile.
“Remember, I don’t date, so all of this is just as new to me as it is to you.” He placed a very chaste kiss upon her cheek before he walked out.
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She glanced around at her family and friends before turning back to Vinny, who looked uncomfortable; which she couldn’t help but smile at. Her parents had raised their glasses to the young couple and everyone had joined in on wishing them well and offering congratulations. But afterwards, Vinny was pulled aside by some of her cousins and told in a very firm and well understood tone that he was not allowed to hurt her or he would have to answer to all of them. Which, needless to say, did not leave him in a very good mood, but there was nothing that could be done about it. Her family was protective of her and she loved them all the more for that.
“Are you sure you’re okay Vinny?” He gave a slight glare before nodding.
“I should be furious that they did that.” She lightly touched his arm and shook her head.
“They weren’t treating you as one family to another, as one future Don to another, Joey knows better than that. But that was more like big brothers watching over their little sister.”
“I know, I got it, still doesn’t mean I like it.”
“No, I know you wouldn’t, but something tells me that you might have stepped in a time or two for your sisters.” She tilted her head as she watched him, almost laughing as his scowl became more noticeable. Yeah, he knew made families or not, Italian men were protective of the ladies within.
Vinny took a sip of his wine while he glanced around. Their home was so nicely done and honestly, he could admit that he was happy to marry into a family like hers and to someone who knew his lifestyle and wouldn’t give him trouble over it. And, if he was being honest, he wouldn’t mind another mind to bounce ideas off of. He knew Val was smart and that she was majoring in finance, and he heard through the grapevine that her dad had let her sit in on a few meetings, to gage the financial side of things. Although, he would never tell his dad, maybe this might be a slight blessing afterall.
“What are you thinking?” Vinny glanced back at her and slowly shook his thoughts away.
“Nothing overly important. May I ask something?”
“Of course, what is it Vinny?”
“You graduate soon, right?”
“Yes, I’ll have my masters in six months.” She tilted her head as she watched him. “Why?”
“Curious.” He stared down into the wine in his glass and then looked up at her. “Does your dad have you sit in on some of his business meetings?”
“Are you asking about the legal ones or the illegal ones?” Giovanni lifted a brow but his lips twitched as they tried to stop the smile. “I sit in on every legal one as I’m an advisor to my dad.”
“Really?”
“Yes; I’m really good with numbers and it’s a skill that both my dad and my cousin use. As for the other business meetings, I do sometimes. Not that he doesn’t trust me with the information, but you know how some people don’t like dealing with women or to be around women in that regard.” Yeah, that was a fact Giovanni knew well enough honestly. “Why?”
“Again, curious.” He looked around at the guests and saw his mom waving at him; they were getting ready to go. “Maybe I would like for you to sit in on some of my meetings.” Her eyes flashed to his and something was shared between them.
- Writer
