Valentino: Brothers, #3

By Hayden West

One night changed everything between Valentino Sanatni and his roommate and teammate Grayson Lazar. And this wasn't anything you could just forget happened. He didn't want to, but he also had a few other things on his plate. Like, who was trying to kill him, how to find his half-brother, and get a new job.

 

Grayson wasn't going to let Valentino forget their shared night. He'd been in love with him for long enough. Now was the time for him to step up and show Valentino that they could be so much more, and that he wasn't known for running from danger. He had his back regardless if they were heading into a burning building or not.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hayden West
• Release date: May 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224310111

Book preview

Prologue

Valentino Salanati swore and rubbed his eyes. This should have been someone else doing this part.

What the hell did he know about planning a funeral? He’d been to plenty but going to and doing the actual figuring out for his own brother was far different. And not one he liked. At all.

Hey.

Valentine looked up to see his roommate in the doorway.

Hey, he replied without any energy. He couldn’t dredge any up.

Grayson Lazar. Teammate. Roommate. Friend. His typically joyful expression, somber.

"You know, if you need anything, I’m here for you. I can’t even begin to think what it’s like to lose a brother."

He knew Grayson had two brothers. I hope you never have to. Valentine dropped the pen and rubbed the back of his neck.

Use me. What can I do to help?

So many things swept to the tip of his tongue, yet none fell. His mind was blank and he couldn’t focus. He watched Grayson sit beside him on the desk, one thigh in his periphery.

I can’t… I don’t…

Fuck! He wasn’t going to survive this.

He missed Todd. All of his brothers on a good day but to know that the next time he was with him, Todd would be lying in a casket, that fact was a hurdle he couldn’t quite get over.

Take it easy, Grayson said, still not touching him.

He was the baby. Tears gathered and fell from his eyes. Valentine had nothing in him to try and wipe them away. What he wouldn’t give for some turnout gear to obscure his features and hide the fact he was about to start wailing like a baby, again.

Grayson took several deep breaths. Then a touch on his shoulder, the man’s strong hand offering comfort.

Tell me what you need.

I have to figure out how to plan this. I’m heading down to Texas in the morning to meet with the funeral director. He raked his hand down his face as if that alone would erase the evidence of his tears.

Okay, so are you packed? Can I toss some shit in a bag for you? Need me to get you drunk? I’m guessing you have your ticket and all of that is ready as well as a place to stay. Do you want me to come with you?

Valentino’s laugh burst humorlessly from him. No. God no. I don’t need you exposed to the shitstorm that would create.

How is me going with you going to be a problem? We’re partners, I’ve got your back and you’ve got mine. You need me and I’m there. There was anger lacing the man’s tone.

Because down there, I’m nothing more than one of the sick gays who was not cured by the place they sent me. Bitterness coated his own as he spat the words free.

He expected Grayson to yank his hand away and look at him completely different. The man didn’t move from his side. If anything, his hand tightened on is shoulder.

Valentino glanced up.

Let me help you plan his funeral.

Even in winter this place had a way of sucking all of his goodwill. The season didn’t matter, honestly. It was the place.

Memories gnawed at him. all unpleasant. This spot being the very last he wanted to be. Valentino climbed in his rental and drove to the funeral home. Most of the plans had been made over the phone but he had a need to go and meet the director face to face.

An act which very well have a bad result. Parking, Valentino took several deep breaths before he was able to force movement into his limbs.

At the door, he swallowed back the bile and entered the funeral home. A svelte redhead met him within three steps into the building.

Mr. Salanati? He nodded. My deepest condolences on your loss. My name is Abagail Eyler. You’ve corresponded mostly with my father, Jim, and I apologize, he took a fall yesterday and is still in the hospital. If you will follow me, I can show you what we have ready for your service tomorrow.

Thank you.

Within moments, he was staring at Todd. His brother appeared to simply be sleeping. They’d done a fantastic job of capturing his youthful innocence. Valentino waited and wanted him to open his eyes and laugh at some dumb joke.

It didn’t happen.

It wouldn’t happen.

He looks good. His voice was rough and scratchy. "Thank you