Page 111 of Made for Saints

Rafe let out a low whistle, his smirk fading into something more serious. “You’re not messing around, are you?”

“No,” I said simply. “I’m not.”

Luca studied me for a moment, his usual smirk replaced by something closer to genuine curiosity. “You really care about her, don’t you?”

I didn’t answer right away, my gaze dropping to the table. “She’s...different,” I admitted, my voice quieter now. “She makes me feel like I’m not just...this.” I gestured vaguely, encompassing the weight of our world—the violence, the power, the endless cycle of control and destruction. “She makes me want something more.”

For a moment, neither of them said anything. Rafe took another slow sip of his cappuccino, his expression unreadable, while Luca leaned back in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Well,” Luca said finally, his tone lighter, “if anyone can handle you, it’s probably her. God knows the rest of us are sick of your shit.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said dryly, though I couldn’t help the faint smirk that tugged at the corner of my mouth.

“Don’t mention it,” Luca said, his grin returning. “Now, speaking of handling things, there’s something we need to talk about.”

I frowned, my smirk fading. “What?”

“Funny you asked about your ex the other day,” Luca said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. “Because I decided to call her.”

I stared at him, my jaw tightening. “You what?”

“Relax,” he said, holding up a hand. “It’s not what you think. I didn’t call her for old time’s sake. I called her because Ihad a hunch.”

“A hunch,” I repeated, my tone flat. “About what?”

“About the missing money,” Luca said, his expression turning serious. “And guess what? She might know something.”

I let out a sharp exhale, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Of course she does. Because why wouldn’t Valentina be involved in this mess?”

“She’s not involved,” Luca said quickly. “At least, not directly. But she’s got connections—connections that might lead us to whoever’s skimming off the top.”

“And?” I prompted, my patience wearing thin.

“And,” Luca said, leaning forward, “she’s already in town. So I set up a meeting.”

I stared at him, my jaw tightening to the point of pain. “You did what?”

“Set up a meeting,” Luca repeated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. His tone was maddeningly calm, like he hadn’t just invited a hurricane into our already sinking ship. “She’s already in town, Dante. It would’ve been rude not to.”

Rude. He was worried about being rude?

Rafe chuckled, clearly enjoying the show. “Oh, this is going to be good,” he muttered, his grin widening as he leaned back in his chair. “Valentina and Dante, round two. I’ll bring popcorn.”

“This isn’t a joke,” I snapped, my glare darting between both of them. “You had no right to involve her.”

Luca raised an eyebrow, his expression unbothered. “You asked me to dig into the missing money. I’m digging. If Valentina has information, then we need her.”

“She’s not exactly known for her loyalty,” I said, my voice low and sharp. “You’re playing with fire.”

“Don’t worry,” Luca said, waving a hand dismissively. “I’ll bring a fire extinguisher.”

I clenched my fists under the table, my patience wearingdangerously thin. “When is this meeting?”

“Tomorrow,” Luca said, his tone still infuriatingly casual. “At the club. Neutral ground.”

“Of course,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “Because nothing says ‘professional’ like discussing financial fraud in a nightclub.”

Rafe snorted, shaking his head. “You’re just mad because you’ll have to see her again. What’s the matter, brother? Afraid she’ll still have that hold over you?”

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