I get to my feet because I won’t be looked down on by anyone. Especially not this haughty bitch who thinks she’s better than me. I help Ana up before eyeballing Fiero’s sister in warning. My instinct is to release my claws and snark back at her, but she’s Fiero’s family, and I don’t think he’d like it. Best not to make an enemy if I can help it. “I’m Valentina, and Fiero gave them to me. He said she wouldn’t mind if I borrowed them.”
“Who. Are. You?” she repeats, enunciating her words while running her gaze over my tearstained face.
“I’m Fiero’s…guest.” I figure he wouldn’t like me divulging the details of our deal to his bitchy sister, and I’m not giving her ammunition to feel justified in looking down on me.
“Are you always this obtuse?”
“I’mnotstupid, which is why I’m not telling you anything else. You want to know who I am? Ask your brother.”
“Fiero wouldn’t appreciate your tone with hissignora,” Ana says, shocking me. I wonder exactly what Fiero has told her about me.
“She’s not hissignora,” Sofia scoffs again. “She’s someone’s wife!” Her eyes latch on to my rings.
“Maybe I’mhiswife,” I retort without thinking it through.
Her lips pull up in amusement. “Not a chance in hell. My brother is an eternal bachelor. He’ll never marry.” She squares right up to me, and I brace myself for whatever is coming because I know it won’t be pretty.
“I know who you are.Whatyou are. Tell me?” She tilts her head to one side. “How long did you wait before spreading your legs for my brother?”
“Sofia!” Ana gasps. “You cannot say such things.”
She ignores Fiero’s housekeeper, boring holes in my skull with her poisonous eyes.
I keep a neutral expression on my face as I glare at her, making it obvious I’m not answering.
A bitter laugh leaves her glossy lips as she looks all around. “You must really have done a number on my brother because he doesn’t usually bring his whores home or give them anything more than his cock.” She jabs her finger in my face. “You’re nothing but gold-digging trash and?—”
“Want to say that to my face, sis?” Fiero barks, storming into the room with a thunderous look on his face.
17
FIERO
Istuff my clenched hands into my pants pockets before I strangle my sister with my bare hands. “Apologize to Valentina right now,” I say, my gaze dancing between Sofia and Valentina. My kitten’s cheeks are damp, her skin blotchy and my heart sinks. She’s been crying, and she looks on the verge of tears again. Hurt is written all over her face, and I will tear strips off my sister for this because her hideous words have put this look on her face.
“Now, Sofia,” I say through gritted teeth as I watch my oldest sister getting ready to dig her heels in. God help whatever man ends up with my fiery sister because they’ll certainly have their hands full with Sofia.
“I’ll apologize when you explain what’s going on,ifit’s warranted.”
Spoken like a true attorney. “Don’t push me, Sof.” I caution her with my eyes. “Apologize or leave my house, and I’ll revoke your guest pass permanently.”
My men at the gate have a short list of preapproved visitors. No one else gets through my gates without explicit permission. I value my privacy, and I don’t mess around with security. Themafiosohave plenty of enemies, and every member of the board is high on their targetlists. I never give them any opportunity to come after me, which is why my property is as fortified as Fort Knox.
Sofia’s eyes widen in surprise. She can tell I’m serious.
I whisper in her ear. “She’s important to me. Fix whatever mess you just created.”
She stares at me like I’m a stranger for a few beats before she turns to Valentina. “It seems I have misread the situation. I apologize for the assumptions I made and any hurt I caused. I am fiercely protective of my brother.”
Valentina’s entire demeanor changes, and her shoulders relax. “I respect that, and I appreciate the apology. No hard feelings.”
“I’m just going to make a start on dinner,” Ana says, tugging on my arm and pulling me down closer. “Give her a hug, she needs it,” she whispers.
I know she’s not talking about my ball-busting sister, so I walk over to Valentina and reel her into my arms. I tip my head down and drag my gaze over her stunning face. “You were crying. Are you all right?”
A blush steals over her cheeks. “I’m fine.” Her soft tone winds around my heart, tugging and squeezing. “I got overwhelmed,” she blurts, raking her gaze over the clothes and other stuff I had delivered. “I can’t believe you did all this. It’s so sweet and generous, but it’s too much, Fiero. I don’t need all these clothes.”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “You needed things, and I enjoyed spoiling you.”
