(VALENTINO'S POV)
I'm still holding the phone to my ear and for a second I honestly think I imagined what I just said. The word is still echoing in my skull. I actually told him no. My heart won't slow down. It's slamming against my ribs like it's trying to break free.
The line is dead quiet. Not even the sound of breathing. Just a heavy silence that stretches long enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand. I pull in a breath, waiting for the shouting, waiting for the explosion I know is coming.
But instead, my father chuckles.
At first it's soft, almost amused. Then it builds into full laughter, loud enough that I have to pull the phone slightly away from my ear. I frown because none of this makes sense. I was prepared for threats. I was prepared for him to rip me apart but I didn't expect this to be his reaction.
"Valentino," he says between fading laughter. "Quando sei diventato così divertente?" (Valentino, when did you become so funny?)
