Page 60 of Veil of Vengeance

“Don’t you dare skipFriends.”

“How dare you think that I would ever skip aFriendsepisode?” I turn to her, the TV remote still in my hand. She gives me an amused smile before she turns her face back to the screen. Ross and Rachel are, of course, broken up in this episode, and we both sit in silence as we watch. Pulling my phone out, I decide to go over the contract that Silvio sent over from my meeting with that asshole Stefano.

“It seems like you guys are getting the short end of the deal,” she says, and I turn my head to see Valentina staring at my screen. Biting the inside of my cheek, I debate whether to ask her to elaborate or to tell her to not involve herself in my business.

“Why do you say that?”

Her eyes are still on my screen as she begins to talk.

“Well, first off, it says in the renewal clause that you guys would need to pay a 10% increase to the original cost and that the termination can be under two reasons, the first being the expiration of the contract, or investors pull out before profits can be made, which will mean you guys will have to pay 100 million dollars.”

I place my hand over my mouth, pretending to scratch my jaw, when in reality, I’m hiding my amusement at the fact that she has managed to catch mistakes that my team had clearly glazed over. Valentina’s eyes move from the screen to my face when I don’t say anything.

“Did I say something wrong? I’m sorry if I stepped out of line.” Her words cause all the amusement I feel to vanish and a sourness twists like a dagger in my abdomen.

“No, no. Don’t apologize. You’ve actually picked up on something that my supposedly great legal team hasn’t,” I tell her. Valentina is about to say something, when my phone rings, and I clench my teeth as I slip it out.

“Yes, Romiro.” I really want to shoot the fucker now.

“There’s an emergency. Lucio was injured when he was racing in the Czech’s territory. We need you in New York,” he tells me in a rush. Fuck!

“Call the airport and tell them to get the jet ready in thirty minutes.” I end the call and slide my phone back in my pocket. My eyes return to see Valentina regarding me carefully.

“I need to go get something done. I need you to stay in my room and wait for me. Understood?” I tell her.

She nods, but I squeeze her chin between my thumb and forefinger. “Okay. How long will you be gone?” she asks as she stands up. I bend down, my lips ghosting hers.

“Miss me already?” I ask, amused.

“Fuck off,” she mumbles before I kiss those words right out of her mouth. My tongue thrusts inside her welcoming heat, and I devour her with savage need. Valentina tries to kiss me back with tentative strokes, but it’s impossible to keep up with my pace, not when I have every intention of consuming her whole. She whimpers against my lips, and I have to remind myself that I need to leave, or I’ll fuck her on the couch. I rest my forehead against hers as I try to catch my breath. My hands stroke the sides of her face, my eyes closed.

“I’ll be back soon,” I tell her before leaving the room with my heart in my throat. Quickly making my way down the marble stairs, I slip out the front door without looking back once. My car roars to life, and I speed down the gravel path till I approach the gates, waiting for them to slide open. I reach the airport in record time and head into the back room of the jet to shower and change.

By the time I’m done, we're halfway to New York, and I decide to call Romiro.

“How’s Lucio?” I run my hand through my hair as I sit near the window.

“He’s fine, he just had a bullet go through his shoulder.”

Ma’s not going to like that. Fuck. I don’t like it either, but this is our life.

“Gather our men. We’re killing some fuckers tonight.”

“Will do. When are you landing?” he asks. I look at the digital map showing where we are.

“In about twenty minutes.”

“I’ll come to the airport,” he says. I motion for the flight attendant to come over.

“Sure, see you, Rom.” I end the call.

“Yes, sir, what would you like?” Her voice is steady, but I can tell she is afraid, her eyes straying away every couple of seconds as her hands shake.

“Get me some water and something salty.” I rub my hand over my lips. I can still smell Valentina on them. Fuck.

“Right away, sir.” The flight attendant scurries away quickly.

After she brings me the water and some crackers, the flight goes by very quickly and we land in New York. Of course, to no one’s surprise, the weather is fucking shit.

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