[Book 2: Bound by honor]
"Jennifer Scuderi has always rebelled against the Mafia's strict rules, and nothing enrages her more than the idea of being tied down in an arranged marriage. But when Valentino Vitiello, the dangerous and relentless enforce...
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Valentino
The Outfit car came to a stop in front of the Scuderi villa and Van parked the rental BMW right behind it. Van and Ruby exited the car immediately and I pushed the door open to follow them but paused when I realized Jennifer hadn't even unbuckled her belt yet. She was staring intently down at her hands resting in her lap. Annoyance flared up in me. Couldn't she ever go the easy route? Did she have to be so damn stubborn?
"I'm not in the mood to argue with you, Jennifer. You really shouldn't let your father wait right now. He's pissed as it is. Get out of the car or I'll carry you."
I waited for a clever comeback. Instead she reached to unbuckle herself. Her hands were shaking and suddenly I realized what was going on. Jennifer wasn't stalling to annoy me. She was nervous about being back here. Her fingers struggled with the seat belt. I pushed them away and did it for her. Her eyes shot up, brows drawn together as she searched my face. She looked fucking anxious. She didn't even push my hands away, which were still resting on her thigh.
"We need to get out," I said again, this time without the previous annoyance.
She nodded slowly, her eyes darting toward the window. I could see Van and Ruby watching us, and behind them Stan and Carmine were waiting. Jimin lingered next to our second car, scanning the surroundings. I didn't think this was a trap, but you could never know with the fucking Outfit. Things hadn't exactly been peachy between us in the last few months.
"I'm scared," she said quietly, then laughed harshly. "Isn't it messed up that I'm scared of my own father?"
"Your father is Consigliere and a huge asshole. There are plenty of reasons to be scared of him."
She was still staring at her lap. "He hates me. He wouldn't even hesitate to put a bullet through my head after what I did."
He'd have to go through me, and I had no doubt that I could take him down with one arm tied to my back. I hooked a finger under her chin and turned her face around to me until her blue eyes met mine. "I won't allow it."
For a moment she softened and her eyes darted to my lips but then Jennifer became her usual self and pulled back. I almost groaned. She opened the door and slid out. When I caught up with her, there was no sign of fear on her face. She held her head high and sent Scuderi's men the most scathing look I'd ever seen from her. That was the Jennifer I knew. The only indication that she wasn't as relaxed as she pretended was that she didn't argue when I rested my hand on the small of her back as I led her toward the front door. I couldn't wait to run my hands over every inch of her body, to finally claim her. Images of Kai with his paws on her slipped into my mind again and I had to resist the urge to hit something.
