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Because Valentina Abruzzi was no rat. When pressed to tattle on her cousin, Valentina had flat out refused. While that act of rebellion cost nine-year-old Valentina the loss of her riding lessons for a whole month, it had also won her a look of pride and respect from her father that he just couldn’t hide. Gia, of course, was infinitely grateful and more than a little impressed by Valentina’s display of defiance on her cousin’s behalf. As a result, a bond was forged between the two girls that would last a lifetime.
And never again did Gianni Abruzzi ask his daughter to report on her cousin’s wayward activities. However, that capitulation came with a cost. It was made clear to Valentina that whatever the cost for Gia’s misadventures were throughout the years, both girls would be made to pay it.
“As soon as they lower the lights and that music starts, I’m going to wait for the slowest, sexiest song to play, then I’m going to strut my well-shaped ass over to that group of fine-looking men, and I’m going to ask one of them to dance!” Gia punctuated her words with a big, bright smile. Then she leaned forward and whispered in a voice filled with astonishment, “And guess what else? I took a good, long look at the DJ’s playlist andFrankie isn’t on it. Not once!”
“Seriously? No—Fly Me To The Moon? No—It Had To Be You?” Valentina asked in astonishment.
“Nope. Nothing.” Gia shook her head from side to side.
The girls sat for a moment in speechless wonder while they considered the strange, new world they had suddenly found themselves in. Because, as far as the family was concerned, if Sinatra didn’t sing it, it wasn’t a song.
“Soreally? You are going to ask one of the Saints to dance?” Valentina was first to break the stunned silence. Then she took a quick glance around the reception hall and was both relieved and disconcerted to find Hal nowhere to be seen. While Valentina didn’t want Hal to be on Gia’s radar, Valentina had at least hoped to get a chance to talk to him tonight.
“Yeah,really!I sure as hell am. I’m gonna be holding one of those tight badass bodies next to mine while that music plays on,” Gia said with determination. Then she back-pedaled just slightly when she added, “But I’m going to wait until the dragon lady leaves to make my move.”
Valentina shook her head and grinned becausedragon ladywas an apt description for her strong, unyielding aunt. But then again, the apple did not fall far from the tree. When Gia got something in her mind she was every bit as stubborn, scheming, and formidable as her mother was.
“I’m not sure what time her plane flies out, but I know she’s leaving the reception hall right after the bride cuts the cake. You know how she is, early to bed and early to rise and all that bullshit.” Gia sighed in exasperation. “I don’t want to do anything that will piss her off and make her cancel the trip to Italy out of spite. Been there, done that. God, you’d think I was sixteen years old again, but I can’t help it. I have this irrepressible and on-going urge to do something that would warrant a trip to Father Mike’s confessional whenever I’m within a yard’s length of that woman!”
Gia threw a withering glance towards her mother’s back. Then Gia’s thoughts quickly turned direction. “When are Uncle Gianni and Dolly leaving? Boy, that red-head has some balls! I wonder if she knows what she’s up against?”
Valentina had had the same thought when her father told her that he was taking Dolly for an extended trip to Southern Italy—complete with a visit to the matriarch of the family—Nonna Bettina. But then again, if anyone could hold her own against the still formidable octogenarian it was Dolly.
Dolly McCabe’s son, Reno, was a high-ranking officer in the Hells Saints MC and had practically cut his teeth on the spokes of a Harley. Reno’s uncle (Dolly’s brother-in-law) was THE Prosper Worthington, the founder and national president of the HSMC.
Valentina imagined that the role of president of a notorious motorcycle organization could not be much different than that of a mob boss. While Gianni had never been anything but a loving father to Valentina, she had heard the stories about the family business; even if only half of what she had been told was true, it was evident to her that her father was a man capable of committing highly illegal and unlawful acts—a man capable of extreme brutality.
She guessed that her father and Prosper Worthington were alike in that way. So, it stood to reason that Dolly was no stranger to the violent world of men. She had entered into a relationship with Gianni Abruzzi of her own free will and with eyes wide open. And to be fair, Valentina really had no idea what type of arrangement they had outside of their business partnership. Except for displaying an obvious enjoyment in each other’s company, Gianni and Dolly kept the terms of their relationship exceedingly and respectfully private.
“So, which one are you going to ask?” Valentina turned her attention back to the group of Hells Saints brothers. She scanned the group of rough faces again searching for Hal and noticed with relief that he still wasn’t among Gia’s line-up of potential dance partners.
“You mean which one of them am I gonna askfirst!” Gia pushed away the slice of wedding cake that had been placed in front of her.
Just as predicted, Audrina made a discreet and graceful exit through a side door just after the dessert and coffee had been served. Once her mother was safely out of the picture, Gia swung a glance to the bar and wagged her index finger.
“Eenie meenie mynee…mine!” Gia homed in on a big, bearded, dark-haired biker from across the room. Then she wiggled in her seat, tossed her long hair, and parted her shapely legs just slightly. Once she was sure she had his attention, Gia gave the guy an award-winning smile.
He responded immediately with a knowing look and a predatory grin.
“That’s Riker, Gia.” Valentina felt compelled to whisper out a warning. “He’s kind of a… I think he’s a …”
Valentina’s voice trailed off as she thought about what she knew about Riker Devlin.
“He’s a what?” Gia’s mouth formed the words, but her eyes were glued to the bad boy at the bar.
“Well…” Valentina chewed on her bottom lip as she searched for a way to best describe him. “He headed up the crew my father hired to do the work on the bakery. Riker was the general contractor on the overall construction, so he was around a lot. And let’s just say that he made his presence known in more ways than one. By the time the job was over, Riker had pretty much slept his way through the entire catering staff. The girls were all ready to scratch each other’s eyes out by the time he left.”
“So you’re telling me he’s a man-whore?” Gia kept her eyes trained on Riker, who continued to stare right back.
“Oh yeah. Riker’s definitely a slut.” Valentina nodded vehemently.
“Perfect!” Gia broke off the hypnotic stare and turned to look pointedly at her cousin. “I’m tired of living like a goddamn nun! God, you’d think that I castrated Julio instead of refusing to marry him in some archaic family matchmaking scheme. I’m sick of the family looking at me like I have two heads because of it. Bad enough I have been banished to the far corners of the earth.”
“Fashion school in Milan is hardly what I would call a banishment.” Valentine smiled at her cousin’s penchant for drama.
Gia slumped back in her chair and sighed. “Living in the family villa while I’m in school is the same as being locked up and you know it. I swear to god those walls have ears!”
Valentina tried one more time to make her cousin see reason. “I ‘m willing to bet that a couple of drunken kisses and quick feel-ups in a dark corner with Riker Devlin is not going to be worth the hell you’ll pay if dad catches you.”
