Epilogue

I 'm standing outside Kayleigh's shitty apartment. It's taken me four weeks to convince her to move in with me. She gave her notice at work two weeks ago. She wanted to wait until she was no longer an agent before making this step. Though I'm not sure why that mattered, seeing as she's been on medical leave for the last month and had no intentions of going back.

I know it wasn't an easy decision for her to make, and it's one I let her do all on her own. It was her career. One she put her blood, sweat, and tears into. That's not something anyone can walk away from easily. I also needed it to be her choice. I don't want her waking up in fifty years hating me.

That said, for the first time, Lorenzo's words ring true to me. I love my family, and I'll do anything for them. But the love I have for this woman is different. And if she had asked me to walk away from the life, I would have. Without hesitation.

I offered to do it. Just once, I offered to leave it all behind and Kayleigh went ballistic on me. Telling me how I couldn't walk away from my family for her. She then informed me that it wouldn't matter, because I'd always be a Valentino.

The door swings open, and the object of my obsession stands there. "You look… Wow, piccolo ladro, that dress is… Fuck, is it too late to change our plans?" I ask her. She's wearing a black dress. It's knee-length and completely covers all of her assets. But, damn, she looks fuckable.

"It's the most boring thing in my closet, Enzo. But if you want to change your mind and stay here, I'm game," Kayleigh says while taking a step backwards into her apartment.

"Nice try. Let's go. It's about time you met the family. Don't look so terrified. They're going to love you," I tell her.

"They already hate me."

"They don't hate you. I love you, which means they will too. Besides, if it comes down to it, I'll be your human shield. They're not going to shoot me." I chuckle, and Kayleigh pales.

"That's not funny, Enzo Valentino."

"Relax. I promise nothing is going to happen." Taking her hand in mine, I pull her out of the apartment and lock the door. "This is the start of our forever, babe."

"The start of forever," she repeats.

The moment we step out of the car and I hear her voice, I know this family lunch is going to be anything but uneventful.

"Enzo!" My little sister's body crashes right into me. I catch her. Obviously. I would never let my sister fall. "OMG! I can't believe you didn't call me." Aurora pulls away and slaps at my chest.

"Thought you were a little busy," I tell her. "Why are you here? Are you sure you should be home right now?"

"What kind of sister would I be if I missed this?" The smile she gives me has all the alarm bells in my head ringing.

"Aurora, behave. Please," I beg her. My sister is the family's loose cannon. There really is no telling what she's going to do. Or say…

"I always do," Aurora says before turning to face Kayleigh. She holds out a palm. "Hi, I'm Aurora, the baby sister and the person who's going to rip your heart right out of your chest and shove it up your ass if you ever hurt my brother."

"Aurora," I growl.

"What?" My sister gives me a sweet and innocent, butter wouldn't melt look.

"I'm Kayleigh. I'm the one who'd rip my own heart out before hurting his. It's nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you." Kayleigh ignores Aurora's hand and pulls my sister in for a hug instead.

My heartbeat picks up. I'm about to step between the two when Aurora laughs. "Fucking finally. It's about time one of you brought someone interesting into the family," she says. "I like her, Enzo. We're keeping her." Aurora points to Kayleigh before turning and walking towards the house.

"Well, that was…" I take Kayleigh's hand, my grip tight. Am I afraid she's going to want to run off? Fuck yes, I am. "I'm sorry. She really is mostly harmless."

"I doubt that." Kayleigh laughs.

"Let's get this circus over with. The sooner we walk in, the closer we are to walking out. And the closer we are to me getting you home and spread out naked on our bed."

"You say the sweetest things to me." Kayleigh laughs as I lead her towards the entrance of my Zio Theo's house.

Want to stay up to date on the happenings of the Valentinos? Find out what goes down at that lunch in Days of Valentinos, episode 14 - download it here .