4. Ambrose

Chapter four

Ambrose

T he wrought iron of the balcony's railing digs into my forearms as I watch the vast majority of the Vitale family gather in the courtyard of my villa after the funeral.

Servers walk around carrying trays of the world's most expensive champagne. It's a waste on the females of this family who throw it back like cheap vodka on a night out.

"Why is the birthday boy hiding up here?" A voice asks. I turn to see Kaia standing in the doorway.

She walks over, heels in one hand, a nearly empty champagne glass in the other. Knowing Kaia, it isn't her first glass either. She slips a bit as she steps onto the balcony, and I rush to help steady her, but with a wave of her hand, she brushes me off and grabs the railing instead.

Scoffing, I bring my whiskey up to my lips and savour the slight burn that travels down my throat.

"Not much to celebrate. What are you doing up here, Cinderella?" I ask as my eyes gaze around the courtyard observing the guests.

My eyes land on an unusual head of caramel blonde hair at the bar. No one in our family has hair like that. I try to remember if any of my brothers mentioned bringing a date.

A bit morbid, if you ask me. Who brings a girl on a date to their father's funeral?

Antonio .

That boy cannot read social cues and take a hint, and he's the only one oblivious enough to do something like this.

"Ambrose." Kaia's voice rings through my ears.

I turn my head towards her, but my eyes remain on the girl sitting next to the group of men below.

"Did you hear me?" Annoyance laces her tone, and when my eyes eventually reach hers, I can see it as well. She is no longer carrying her heels but is now standing with her arms across her chest glaring at me.

"I'm sorry." I apologise genuinely as my focus shifts entirely to her.

Kaia and I have been close for years. What started as a fling when she worked at our bakery, turned into a trustworthy friendship.

One of the few I cherish.

" I said I came up here to say goodbye."

My brows furrow, "Kai, what do you mean? You know these Vitale celebrazione della vita, celebration of life, parties go on till dawn, besides if you leave now, you'll miss Zita dancing on the tables." A small smirk pulls at my mouth but disappears quickly when I realise her face is still gravely serious.

"She dances on the tables at every party. I'm sure I'll survive missing it this one time." She lets out a strained laugh. Her eyes leave mine and drift out towards the shoreline beyond the villa's back stairs. My eyes follow hers curiously to see what has her attention, but the calm waves stare back as if to ask what are you looking at? I glance at her again only to see she's now staring below us.

"I meant goodbye for a while Brosy, I'm heading home for a bit."

The glass in my hand slips and falls to the floor, causing silence to follow suit. Her words replay in my ears .

I can ignore the stupid nickname she always uses to stop me from being mad at her. I can ignore the stares and whispers from my family members below, but I can't ignore what she said.

"Home? I thought Tevici was home?" I attempt to sound unaffected. Even though the glass slipping out of my hand may have given it away.

I know Tevici isn't home. It has merely been a replacement home for the last few years, but to think she is referring to her actual home makes me worry.

She rolls her eyes. Kaia moved to Tevici when she was thirteen to stay with her aunt and go to school in the city. She's originally from South Africa, her family had practically given up their life savings at the time for her to get here.

"My father's sick," she says softly, looking down at the mess I made below. "I don't have a choice but to go back, Brosy." She answers the question I never asked.

"Just because you call me that, doesn't mean I won't be upset with you."

She chuckles. At least my attempt to lighten the mood was successful.

"I know," she turns to face me again, "But I'm hoping it will lessen the blow of the sudden news." She pushes a stray curl behind her ear.

"What news?" Antonio's voice interrupts the tension, and my grip on the railing tightens.

Looking over Kaia's shoulders, I spot Antonio standing in the doorway. I raise both my brows, a silent way to question why he's eavesdropping. Instead of answering, he simply walks closer and stands between Kaia and me, staring down at her expectantly.

"News that I'm going on vacation for a while." She smiles brightly at Antonio. I watch a goofy smile light up his face, and I'm seconds away from wiping it off with my fist. "I came up to say goodbye to Ambrose," she pats my chest lightly and I stare down at her manicured nails. "You have to take care of him while I'm gone, Nino." Her bright eyes leave my brother's, and the mask falls for a split second as she looks at me .

"I think he's got this all under control," Antonio says, throwing his arm over my shoulder.

At roughly 6'4", my youngest brother is well on his way to being the skyscraper of the family. His height is matched by his lean muscles, which often lead people to misjudge how strong he is. A very unfortunate underestimation for most people.

"I'm sure he does." Kaia smiles at the two of us. The sadness in her eyes makes me want to wrap her up in a hug and fix all of her problems, but I know she'll never let me, nor would I let myself. She's a big girl that can take care of her shit. Besides, I've got enough to deal with here.

"I'll see you both soon. I'll Facetime you a bunch," she says, and Antonio nods like an idiot as if she's talking to him.

She hugs the both of us and then turns to leave. "At least try and go on a date while I'm away," she yells. "Both of you." She points between the two of us.

"Only if you promise to bring something cool back from your trip," I yell back, and she nods before disappearing out the door.

The afternoon bleeds well into the night. Each of the Vitale's gradually drinking more and more. Zita does end up dancing on the tables, this time with a bottle of Adriano's expensive tequila that he got from a guy in Mexico who was trying to bribe him. He won't be happy to know where it all went.

As I reach the lower level of the villa, my eyes sweep through the sea of family, and immediately they land on her . She's still alone at the bar. And to my surprise, none of my cousins have approached her, it confirms my suspicions–she came with one of my brothers. It's just a matter of figuring out which one .

I step into the space next to her at the bar. The air is knocked out of me so quickly that when the bartender drops what he is doing to serve me, I have to cough to regain my composure.

"A single whiskey with one block of ice…" I trail off and notice the empty martini glass in front of her. "And another martini for the lady." It isn't a huge deal to get her a drink since all the drinks are free tonight, but it's the thought that counts.

"A Vodka martini again?" The bartender confirms her order with a flirtatious smile and I want to fire him on the spot. We aren't paying him to flirt.

She nods politely.

She is stunning. Her features are defined enough to be noticeable, yet so soft that they are comforting and inviting. She's smiling down at her phone, her dimples sinking into her cheeks and a small laugh escapes her lips.

She barely acknowledges my presence. A part of me is thankful because it allows me to steal a few more glances at her without her knowing. When the bartender returns the movement draws her eyes up and only then, does she notice me.

He stares at her as if he's head over heels in love. "Leave." I snap at him and turn back to her as he scoffs and leaves.

Her eyes are wide as she takes in what just happened.

"You're not a fan of gin I assume?"

"I hate it," she shrugs.

"Which one of my brothers invited you to a funeral as your first date?" I ask, my voice thankfully maintaining its natural smooth tone.

She looks around before blinking repeatedly at me.

Does she not know me? Of course, she does, who doesn't know me?

Do I know her?

My eyes scan her face, her features could be somewhat familiar, but there's no way I could ever forget a face like hers.

Her confusion morphs into something else as she hides a smile and leans to take a sip of her cocktail. Her hair falls off her shoulder, revealing her open-back dress that showcases a few delicate tattoos.

"Who said I'm here with one of your brothers?"

Her voice sounds like, for lack of a better word, pure and utter sex . Deep, smooth and seductive. The kind of voice you want moaning in your ears.

"Okay, I'll bite. If you're not here with one of them, then how did you get into my house?" I ask, taking a sip of my whiskey while raising a brow in her direction.

"It's so crazy," she drawls, turning so that more of her body faces me. "But it's amazing the places you can get into with the right dress and a smile."

My eyes rake over the front of her dress and immediately, I notice the thigh-high slit–a bit racy for a funeral. I contemplate her words and begin wondering if she truly did sneak into my house.

"Oh, trust me, with a face as perfect as yours, I can imagine. I'm Ambrose," I say, extending my hand.

She stares at it nervously before a sly smile creeps onto her lips. She gives me her hand, and immediately, I'm bringing it to my lips to kiss her knuckles as I wait for her name.

"Valerie?"

Antonio's voice rips through the air, and she snatches her hand away from me. He walks over, slipping his hand behind her and facing me, "I see you ran into Val. I'm sure you have a bunch to catch up on, but mamá wants to see her."

My eyes darken as all the pieces start setting in. "Valerie Farina?" I ask, and the smirk that appeared innocent is now one of the most wicked ones I've ever seen as she begins giggling to herself.

"It was good to see you again Ambrose," she says as she takes Antonio's hand, following after him.

Then she turns, looks over her shoulder and winks at me, and for the second time tonight my body betrays me and I can't help but smirk back.