ROSEIt had been over thirty minutes since Valentino had entered the manager's room, and I couldn't stop pacing back and forth in our suite, exasperated, while I wondered about what they could be doing together."Now you're acting like a clingy, jealous girlfriend," Arya remarked as I cleared my throat."That's not true. I don't care about what they do," I forced myself to shrug, but the mere thought of Valentino touching that woman the way he did made my body cringe. I walked to the bed and sat down, willing my hand to stop nervously shaking."What's taking them so long?" I bit my index finger's nail as the door opened, revealing Valentino. He stood there with his hands in his pockets, looking very relaxed. How could he be so composed while I was a nervous wreck?"Hey," I stood up quickly and rushed to him as he closed the door and came toward me."Are you sweating? Why do you look so pale? Are you sick?" He asked, a worried crease on his brow as he placed a hand on my forehead and w
"He knows we’re here but doesn't want to see anyone," he said as I stared at him, confused."What is that supposed to mean?" I asked."It means he came here to hide and doesn't appreciate our presence. I knew coming here was a bad idea," he muttered the last statement to himself while I ignored him. That was the least of my problems."How are you so sure that is what he wants? Did you get his exact room number? I won't leave here until I meet Vicente," I said while Valentino watched me with a lazy stare."Do you think I fabricated it?" He raised a brow, trying not to look pissed, even though his tone hinted he was."Did you?" I asked, and I knew it was a bad idea immediately it left my mouth."What is wrong with you, Rose?" He asked in a low tone, irritation evident on his face, but I was willing myself not to care.I had received a text when he had gone to meet the manager from Marco. The chairman was mad. And now, it wasn't even about the money anymore. Now, I felt entitled to make
"What are you trying to prove, Vicente? I’ve told you. We aren’t together. There’s no need to choose," I said after finding my voice."Fine. I see you’ve thought it through. Use the door, Rose," he started to turn away when I quickly rushed to his front. He rolled his eyes and exhaled."Think about your grandfather. He’s worried sick, Vicente.""I don’t care," he shoved. "There’s nothing for me back there. I lost Mum," he said, his eyes bored. "Now I think I lost you too, Rose.""You don’t own me. Neither of you brothers do, okay!" I snapped suddenly, hating how helpless I looked in front of me as I fought back the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes."What I have going on, with any of you, you wouldn’t understand, trust me, Vicente. You would never understand how I feel," I said in a calm, almost pleading tone."Tell me. What is it? Why is it so hard to take a stance, Rose? Is it Valentino’s money? Is it because he’s next in line?" He asked without emotion as the tears finall
VICENTE The moment my eyes fell on my other brother, I couldn’t explain my feelings at that moment. Anger? Hate? Regret?"Valerio?" Rose breathed as she stared at him, like he was some missing part of her life that she critically needed. My eyes lingered on her as my blood boiled in rage while Valerio walked effortlessly towards her, smiling at her as if they were some kind of special acquaintance."Am I missing something?" He raised his head and looked from me to Valentino, who wasn't looking too pleased to see him either."You aren't supposed to be here," Valentino said, and one could discern how much he hated that Valerio was here."Why? I heard my little brother was missing. I had to do something," Valerio said."Don't bullshit me, Valerio," I said and forced my gaze away from Rose, whose face had turned red from seeing Valerio."I’ll have the staff get an additional chair. You're welcome to join us, Valerio," Rose finally spoke up as Valerio nodded."How did you find us?" Valent
"Drink!" Valentino stretched his hands toward the mug with a sarcastic look as he watched his brother. When Vicente had made such an ungracious dare, she had stiffened. Was it because of the talk they had? She could see the look in Vicente's eyes when he asked him, like more of a challenge. We hadn't expected Valentino to pass."Why?" Vicente asked as Valentino made to grab the mug. "It's just a kiss," he shrugged.Valentino made an irritated face and glanced at me shortly, then back to Vicente. "I am not just interested," he said, grabbing the mug and drinking a full glass of beer."Right, you're not," I could hear Vicente mutter."I think we should stop, guys," I said as I felt the tension brewing. There were sniping conflicts between them already, and I wouldn't want them to have another brawl, or it would be high time the chairman finds out, and the money I will have to pay for breaking the damages."Why? We are only getting started, Rose. Besides, I'm not enjoying this," Valentin
ROSE"What are we doing here?" I asked the moment we got out of the hospital owned by the Sabatinis. "Is someone sick?" I inquired quickly as we exited the car in front of the hospital, and one of the security personnel collected the car key from Marco."The chairman asked to see you," he said to me, deepening my confusion as he led the way into the hospital lobby."See me? In a hospital?" I questioned as we entered an elevator."Yes, Miss Arturo," he replied, his tone indicating he wasn't prepared to answer more questions.We arrived at our floor and disembarked. Marco led the way to a room in a deserted-looking hallway. He pushed open the large door and walked in. A doctor and about two nurses were conversing with the chairman, who was lying on the bed and listening intently to the doctor."Miss Arturo, you're here," the chairman exclaimed as soon as he saw me, wearing a smile on his face, leaving me wondering what was going on in his mind. One moment he was mad at me, and the next,
"Valerio," I breathed calmly as I opened the door, trying not to look fazed or shaken."Hi," I managed a smile as he stood staring at me. "When did you get back?" I continued, trying not to show how nervous I was."You didn't leave," he said, as if he didn't care, but his eyes told me more.I shrugged and nodded."I came back that same night. There was nothing for me there when you weren't there," he said, trying to make a point, but I looked away from his eyes that held mine."Okay," I said, looking to dismiss him, but he didn't look like he would budge."I was worried," he started again as he stared at me with that intense gaze that broke all my resolve. "I mean you left like that and threatened to leave our—"He paused and parted his lips to talk. "The house," he said instead. Was he planning to say "our"?"I was angry and tired," I tried to defend myself, making him see me more as the victim here."My brothers are jerks, right?"I shrugged and sighed. Where was this conversation g
I jerked my hands away from his grasp as soon as the words sank into me. "What nonsense are you talking about?" I said, looking away with a frightened look on my face as I realized how the thought made my wolf leap in joy. It took a lot of self-control to not say yes. Wait? Did I even plan to say yes?"Rose?" He called, and I snapped out of my reverie to see him regarding me carefully."We can't deny the attraction we feel toward each other. The intimacy...""Not the intimacy," I cut in abruptly. I'm still trying to accept the fact that I have foolishly been intimate with one of the Sabatini brothers, and yet I still want the others. It makes me sick."Fine. If you don't want it, I won't pressure you," he said, standing up as I looked up to see him towering over me."My offer still stands whenever you're ready, Rose," he said and bent slightly to kiss me on my forehead, his expensive cologne filling my nose. I closed my eyes to take in the whole scent.When I opened my eyes, I was alo