“What the hell were you thinking?” I ask my kitten, covering her in the jacket. It falls to her knees, and I button it in the front, but it still shows far too much of her cleavage.
“I didn’t know they were here, and you’re overreacting.”
I push her behind me so they can’t see.
“Fiero. You’re acting crazy. They were only looking at my face.”
“Don’t care.”
“Man, I’m so glad you called me. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.” Caleb cracks up laughing.
“Fiero. You’re smothering the woman. For fuck’s sake, we weren’t looking at her like that. Give us some credit.” Zumo shakes his head, looking at me like he might be considering committing me. “Introduce me.”
“Fiero. I’m all covered up, look.” Valentina tugs at my arm, and I reluctantly release her, spinning around to inspect her before I’ll even consider stepping aside. She’s wearing a soft smile, clutching the sides of the jacket together so it completely covers her torso. My eyes skim down her bare legs. “Fiero.” Her tone is more forthright, her smile a little harder. “I know you’re protective, but you can’t wrap me in cotton wool or hide me from the world. Are you going to stop me wearing minidresses or bikinis?”
“Of course not.” Her smile expands. “As long as we’re not going out and we don’t have company.”
The smile fades, and she squeezes her eyes shut momentarily. “You’re being unreasonable, but we’ll discuss this later. Introduce me to your friends.” She holds out her free hand. “Please.”
I kiss her lips quick before grasping her hand and turning us around.
My brother smiles at her with affection. “I’m Zumo. This nutjob’s brother. It’s nice to meet you, Valentina. I’d shake your hand, but…”
“You value breathing,” she replies, her lips twitching. “I see the resemblance now.”
“Please,” I scoff. “I’m way hotter.”
“Think you mean wayolder.” My brother leans against the doorway, smirking.
Ignoring him, I turn to Caleb. “And this is…”
“Don Caleb Accardi,” she says in a breathy tone. “I probably shouldn’t admit this in front of the caveman, but when I was growing up, my friends and I had mad crushes on you and your twin. Those campaigns you modeled for were?—”
“Kitten, no one wants to hear this,” I growl, covering her mouth so she can’t spew more of that bullshit. I briefly consider getting the gun from the drawer in my desk and shooting Caleb in his overly smug face.
“I do.” Caleb flashes me a wide grin.
“Same,” my traitorous brother announces.
“Thought you were leaving,” I snap.
“This is the best day ever.” Caleb rubs his middle finger up the bridge of his nose because he’s just that childish.
Not that I’m one to speak, at the moment.
I know I’m acting insane, but I can’t help it. Jealousy stabs holes in my heart, and I’m not used to these emotions. I’m not fully equipped to handle it. And it’s more than that. I don’t want anyone looking at her with anything less than the respect she deserves. Valentina has had enough men objectify and abuse her, and it’s not happening on my watch. But I’m being a tad unreasonable because I know my brother and Caleb would never treat her like that.
“Thanks for that, kitten. I’ll tell my twin you were asking for him,” Caleb says, and Zumo pulls him back as I lunge at him.
“Get control of yourself.” Zumo slams his hand into my chest to hold me back. “You’ll scare her away if you’re not careful.” He shakes his head. “I’ve never seen you like this. It’s a little disturbing.”
“It’s okay, Gage.” Valentina pushes me back, peering up at me with doe eyes. “Just take a deep breath.”
Her big green eyes trap mine in place, and I suck in lungsful of air, calming down when I pull her against my chest, hugging her tight.
Caleb and Zumo are smiling.
I shrug. “She makes me crazy.”
