intrepidity

Chapter 18

But he didn't push. Not yet.

Instead, he stepped forward, reaching out to gently tug on one of Aurora's sleeves.

"Come on, stellina, let's go." His voice was softer than usual.

Aurora let out a breath, nodding as she followed him out.

Jude and Riley were close behind, but not before Jude shot Miss Holloway the filthiest glare she could muster.

Antonio didn't speak as they walked, but Aurora could feel him watching her, his protective energy practically radiating off him.

When they reached the cafeteria, he finally broke the silence.

"Alright, who do I have to kill?"

Aurora groaned, nudging him. "No one."

Jude scoffed. "Actually—"

"No one," Aurora repeated firmly.

Antonio didn't look convinced.

His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable, but there was a dangerous edge to it.

Jude leaned forward. "Hypothetically speaking... if someone were to make Rory's life miserable for no reason at all, and if that someone happened to mysteriously disappear, how much plausible deniability would we need?"

Riley grinned. "Not much. I mean, accidents happen all the time."

Antonio didn't smile.

He just stared at Aurora for a long moment before muttering, "Aiden's gonna lose his mind."

Aurora stiffened.

"Don't tell him," she said quickly.

Antonio's brow twitched. "Rory—"

"Please," she whispered. "It's fine. I can handle it."

Antonio didn't believe that for a second.

But when he looked at her—the worry in her eyes, the exhaustion—he exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.

"Fine," he muttered. "For now."

Aurora let out a breath of relief.

But deep down, she had a feeling this wouldn't stay a secret for long.

-

Dinner was loud. It always was.

Aurora sat between Alec and Elias, barely picking at her food. She knew she had to act normal, had to pretend everything was fine, but her mind kept replaying Miss Holloway's words.

I suppose being a Valenti means you don't have to try, does it?

She swallowed hard, pushing her food around her plate.

It didn't go unnoticed.

Alec nudged her gently. "Sweetheart, you okay?"

Aurora blinked. "Yeah, I'm fine."

He didn't look convinced, but before he could say anything, Marcus cut in.

"You're eating like a bird."

Aurora forced a small smile. "Not that hungry."

Antonio, across the table, was silent. He was still tense from earlier, watching her like he was trying to figure something out.

And Aiden—Aiden was looking at her too.

He hadn't said much since dinner started, but his sharp gaze didn't miss a thing.

Aurora shifted uncomfortably under their attention, trying to focus on Elias and Alec's conversation instead.

Marcus, however, wasn't letting it go.

"You sure you're not sick?" he asked gruffly. "You look—"

"Marcus," Atlas muttered. "Shut up."

Marcus scowled. "What? I was just—"

"Shut. Up."

Aurora let out a soft laugh, and just like that, the tension eased.

Elias threw an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. "There she is," he murmured, ruffling her hair.

Alec smiled. "There's my girl."

She felt a little lighter.

Even Aiden's sharp gaze softened slightly before he went back to his meal.

The conversation returned to its usual chaos, and for the rest of dinner, Aurora let herself pretend.

Pretend that everything was fine.

That the pit in her stomach wasn't growing.

That Miss Holloway's words weren't still echoing in her mind.

For now, she just let herself enjoy dinner with her brothers.

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