“Let me think about it,” I say to the team, then standing up, signaling the end of the meeting.
Elio sends everything over to Matteo to run the numbers while we make our way back to the compound.
“So we’re finally having that dinner huh?” Elio asks, pouring each of us a drink.
“Roy, stop by the shops on 5th,” I tell my driver before rolling the partition back up then answering Elio. “Yeah, I’m sure you were pleased you were able to take care of that hot date last time.”
“I’ve taken care of more than her,” he says wagging his eyebrows.
I shake my head and laugh. He’s young, he’ll learn.
“Where are we heading?” “Tiffany's.”
“Wait, what? You’re not actually going to buy her a ring are you?”
“Why not?”
“You don’t think that will be awkward?” he asks, looking at me like I have two fucking heads.
“Awkward to give my fiancée an engagement ring?”
“Yeah, awkward as fuck, fratello, don’t tell me you’re going to kneel before her at dinner and propose tonight. No do that shit on your own time,” he insists.
I ignore him. We arrive at the jewelry store, and I select a set for Valentina, diamond earrings, a pendant necklace, and a matching bracelet.
When I step out, I’m lucky to have some random guy selling flowers on the side of the road, so I buy them for her, all of them.
When I arrive at the mansion, I don’t expect to see Valentina fully dressed in the gown I asked her to wear, waiting for me in the front living room.
Elio whistles when he sees her.
“Wow. I have to say, you usually have terrible taste in women but this time, you did good big bro,” Elio says, patting my shoulder before walking away. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with that kid,” I tell Valentina, who laughs. “I think he’s sweet,” she says.
I step closer, unable to resist. The red gown hugs every curve, the fabric catching the light as she breathes. Her dark hair is swept up, exposing the elegant line of her neck, and for a moment, I forget how to speak.
“You look…” I pause, searching for the right words but nothing fits. “You look like you belong here.”
She raises an eyebrow. “That’s your compliment? I look like I belong in a mafia mansion?”
“You look like you could burn down a kingdom and men would thank you for the privilege.”
Her lips part slightly, and I see the surprise in her eyes before she masks it. “I suppose that’s better.”
I hold out the bouquet I’ve been carrying, deep red roses mixed with white orchids. “These are for you.”
She takes them, bringing the blooms to her nose. When she looks up at me, something has softened in her expression. “You bought me flowers.”
“I did.”
“From an actual flower shop? Or did you threaten a florist into giving you their best arrangement?”
I can’t help but smile. “There was a man selling them on the street corner. No threats were necessary.”
“Salvatore Vitale, buying flowers from a street vendor.” She shakes her head, but she’s fighting a smile. “If your enemies could see you now.”
“My enemies would be wise to worry about what I’d do for the woman who received them.”
The air between us thickens. She holds my gaze for a beat too long before looking away, pressing the flowers against her chest like a shield.
