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Someone scoffs, but my focus is set on her as I shake my head subtly. “Please, Nonna, you know me. Even when he thought he had control, it was only because I was intrigued at what he might do, but his actions were just as shitty as his threats.” I shrug, hoping to play it off and get out of the room, but nobody seems to move.
“I can see why Nonna thinks you’re so fabulous, Wren.” Valentina’s eyes flicker over me in my blood-drenched tank top, shorts, and messy hair.
I don’t attempt to apologize, and she doesn’t look all that taken aback as she steps toward me and reaches her hand out for me to shake.
“Pleasure,” I mutter as I place my hand in hers, unsure of how I’m supposed to react to her, but she smiles as she drops her arm back to her side. She’s not bothered about the blood, or that it could now be on her. Hmm.
At first glance, you would think she was a billionaire's wife, with a long cream coat draped over her shoulders, brown linen trousers, and a cashmere sweater tucked in. She looks far too elegant to even be in this room. Her brown hair is swept back into a chignon at the back of her head and her make-up is beyond perfection.
“Shall we move into the kitchen so the cleanup crew can get in? They will be here any second,” Vito announces, and I’m moving before I even realize it, dodging between everyone as I head for the door.
The second I’m through the doorway, a weight lifts off my shoulders and my body finally relaxes. The others move behind me, but I’m hoping I'm far enough in front that I can slip into my bedroom without any issues and get some peace.
My hopes are temporary as an arm drapes over my shoulders and pulls me along the extra steps to the kitchen. Glancing to my right, I’m not surprised to find it’s Enzo beside me, looking down at me with a mixture of awe and worry flashing in his eyes.
He leans in closer, his nose ghosting over my ear before he presses his lips to the skin. “I can’t let you out of my sight, Wren. I’m now in protective mode and you’re going to have to deal with it for a minute,” he mutters, sending a zing down my spine.
This isn’t the norm for me, not one bit, but as he leans back and makes eye contact with me once more, I get the feeling this isn’t the usual for him either.
Enzo leads me to the fridge, the others piling into the room behind us, but I opt to avoid their gazes for an extra second. He hands me a sweet fizzy drink, encouraging me to take a sip, and I oblige, even though I really don’t need the sugar to take the edge off.
Turning on the spot, I find Matteo and Vito watching my every move, while Nonna and Valentina are muttering between themselves by the table.
This is awkward.
I’ve killed someone, one of their men, and it’s a family gathering.
With a flourish, Valentina spins on the spot, her long coat dancing around her as she settles her gaze on me. I have no idea what is about to fall out of her mouth, but I get the feeling I won’t have a choice either.
“Wren, I think it looks like you could use a minute to decompress.”
I practically sag at her words. Yes. That’s exactly what I want and need to do. Preferably with a steak sandwich too. “I do. If you don’t mind, I’m just going to—”
She waves her hand around, edging toward me as she interrupts my escape speech. “No, not here. You’renevergoing to get a second to even breathe without these three crowding you and making everything worse.”
“Fuck off, Valentina,” Matteo grumbles, yet not one of the De Luca brothers actually disagrees with what she’s saying. The way Enzo’s arm tightens around me only confirms it too.
With a dramatic eye roll, Valentina switches her gaze from her brother to me with a pointed stare. “I have the best plan… Well, Nonna agrees, too. It’s exactly what you need.”
“And what is that?”
She cuts the distance between us without a hint of hesitation, grabbing my hand before I can stop her and pulling me from Enzo’s hold. He mutters something under his breath, but I’m too focused on whatever plan Valentina and Nonna seem to have.
“We’re going to the spa.” Her eyes light up with excitement as she continues to hustle me toward the door, taking the can of soda from my other hand and placing it down on the kitchen island as we move.
My steps slow as I frown at her, glancing down the length of my body as I shake my head in disbelief. “I’m literally covered in blood. I can’t go anywhere right now.”
She turns to look at me with a grin still playing on her lips as she leans into my side and winks. “That’s why we’re going tomyspa. This mafia princess can do whatever she pleases. If you didn’t know that already, I think you’re about to find out.”
* * *
Never, and I meaneverin my life, have I stabbed a man to death and taken a trip to the spa straight after. Nope. That’s not how this shit works, but apparently in Italy, things are done differently.
I would be hiding away for a good few days, weeks sometimes, but none of that seems to be the norm here. Instead, I am whisked away from the family home and led to the outskirts of town where theValentinaSpa is. It looks high-end before I even step inside. Attached to its own private vineyard and draped out with expensive decor, it’s like a slice of heaven.
It was obvious as soon as we entered that the entire place had been cleared out. There wasn’t a single client or member of staff anywhere I could see as I was led into the ladies changing rooms.
Valentina ushered me into a hot shower and gave me a navy blue designer swimsuit to put on after I was done, leaving me to relish in the burn of the water. I stepped out of the stall to find them waiting for me, and then I was led to a large space where the swimming pool and four jacuzzis were situated.
