Page 81 of Valentino

“Friend.” I widen my eyes.

Oh no, what was I thinking bringing him here, my family is so uncool.

“Everyone, Anna brought a friend,” my mother calls. “May I present Valentino.”

We turn the corner to see all of my family are here. My two aunts, my two uncles and all of my cousins. “Ahh,” they all cry and jump from their chairs as if this is the most incredible thing to ever have happened.

Oh no….

“Wow.” Valentino forces a smile as he looks around the room. “Nice to meet you…all.” My mom leads him around the room and introduces him to everyone as if he’s an exotic animal in the zoo.

I want to die a thousand deaths; no amount of wine can make this day any better.

He finally gets to the end of the meeting queue. “This is George.” My mother introduces them before leaving us, George looks him up and down. “So, you’re Anna’s friend?” he says in a condescending tone. “Funny, I’ve never heard of you before.”

Valentino’s jaw clenches as he stares at him and I know that the way he just said that rubbed him up the wrong way.

“No.” He slides his hand around my waist and pulls me close. “I’m Anna’s boyfriend.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Boyfriend.” He huffs as he looks him up and down. “Let’s see how long you last.”

Valentino’s eyes flicker red and he steps forward bringing them face-to-face. “Let’s see how long you last.”

“Last when?”

“When I meet you out the front,” Val sneers. “Now.”

What the hell?

“Valentino,” I whisper as I step in between them. “What are you doing?”

“Teaching this idiot some manners.” He tilts his chin to the sky, his eyes are locked on to George. “Come on then. Tough guy.”

George’s eyes widen.

“Oh my God.” I pull him away by the arm and drag him into the kitchen. “What the hell are you doing?” I whisper angrily.

“What the hell am I doing?” he fires back. “What the fuck is he doing?”

“I told you to ignore him.”

“I’m not ignoring that fucking idiot,” he fumes. “He doesn’t get to speak to me like that.”

“He said all of five words to you.”

“Five too many.”

“My boyfriend?” I splutter. “Why would you even say that?”

“I don’t know,” he fires back. “He baited me.”

“Oh my God,” I whisper angrily. “I have had a very bad day if you haven’t already fucking noticed.” I put my face into my hands. “Now we have to have a fake breakup and I am not in the mental headspace for your thuggery tonight.”

“Again, not started by me,” he whispers back as he smiles at someone walking through the room. “Hello.”

“Do not speak again.”