Chapter 12. Caught In The Middle

"What do you think you're doing?" Valentino's voice cut into our small meeting as Valerio took his time to turn his head to look at his brother, still trapping me against the counter with his hand.

"We are busy, brother. Can you excuse us?" Valerio said in a drawl.

"Busy?" Valentino repeated, nodding as if he understood fully well.

"The lady looks uncomfortable. It appears as if you're doing something bad to her," he said, and I flickered my gaze to Valentino. He looked so vexed that his attempt to pretend everything was fine was futile.

"You usually mind your business." Valerio finally straightened up and put his hands in his pockets as he watched Valentino carefully.

"You too have changed so much, Valentino," Valerio drawled, while Valentino, who was leaning on the doorway, watched Valerio.

"Rose... can we talk?" He asked, ignoring his brother to Valerio's distaste.

"We have nothing to talk about," I said, trying to resist the strong desire to follow him while struggling to keep my