Valentino.
He stands with his arms crossed, blocking the exit. His dark eyes study me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.
"Where are you heading?" he asks.
"The garden." I gesture past him. "Is that a problem?"
"No." He doesn't move. "But I need a word first."
I blink at him. "A word?"
"Yes."
This is strange. Valentino has barely spoken to me since I arrived. He's always hovering near Bruno, watching everything with those sharp eyes, but he's never sought me out directly.
"Okay," I say slowly. "What about?"
"Walk with me."
He turns and starts down the hallway without waiting for my response. I hesitate for a moment, then follow. What choice do I have?
We walk in silence for a minute. Valentino's stride is long, and I have to quicken my pace to keep up. He leads me away from the garden entrance, toward a quieter part of the compound I haven't explored yet.
"What is going on between you and Bruno?"
The question comes without warning. No preamble. No softening.
I almost laugh.
Men. They really don't care about manners, do they? He's talking to me like I owe him answers. Like I'm required to explain myself to him simply because he asked.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me." Valentino stops walking and turns to face me. "What is going on between you and my cousin?"
I cross my arms, mirroring his posture. "I don't see how that's any of your business."
"Everything about Bruno is my business."
I hold his gaze. Don't flinch. Don't look away.
"If you want to know what's happening with Bruno," I say, "maybe you should ask Bruno."
Valentino's expression doesn't change.
Finally, he sighs. The sound is heavy, exhausted.
"Bruno is hanging from the finest thread right now," he says. His voice is quieter now. Less demanding. "He has been for months. Years, maybe. But these past few weeks..." He shakes his head. "Something is different."
I don't respond. I'm not sure what he wants me to say.
"He's been different since you arrived," Valentino continues. "I've watched him. The way he looks at you. The way he talks about you." He pauses. "The way he disappeared last night and came back looking like someone had reached inside his chest and rearranged everything."
My heart stutters.
"If there's something going on between you two?—"
"Why does it matter?" I interrupt.