Page 71 of Veil of Vengeance

Lucio counters with, “Nah, fuck that, make it a hundred thousand, and I bet that he won’t give her back to Chicago.”

“You two little fucks think you’re funny? Drop this, or I’ll drop you in the middle of the fucking Atlantic, dead.” I don’t wait for them to reply and storm out of the room, Valentina hot on my trail.

The door slams behind me as I make my way to the couch, turning on the TV. I lean back into the couch, watching the news anchor woman talk about some Russian mobster being arrested. Valentina comes to stand in front of me, arms crossed and eyes molten like honey on a warm summer day. My eyes trail the length of her till they reach her gaze once more, her nostrils flaring a little.

“Why was she touching you in the kitchen?” she asks, and I give her a puzzled look, utterly confused, but she doesn’t elaborate.

“Who?” I ask her as I lean forward, placing my elbows on my knees. It dawns on me who she’s talking about when something flickers in her eyes. “Ginevra.” A renewed scowl rests on her face when Ginevra’s name leaves my mouth.

“Yeah. Her,” she replies with disgust.

“No one you should feel the need to ask about.” My answer doesn’t seem to appease her as she drops her crossed arms, hands fisting at her sides. But Ginevra is quickly forgotten when the news anchor woman says:

“Valentina Moretti, the daughter of Alvize and Diletta Moretti, has been missing for two weeks, with no leads as to where her location may be. If-” The TV shuts off and silence fills the room, as Valentina and I watch each other. Her eyes look glossy from where I’m staring at her and her chin wobbles before she clenches her jaw.

My face becomes unreadable when she asks. “When will you send me back to my family?”

I stand abruptly, and she has to take a step back so we’re not pressed up against each other.

“You’ll go back to the Outfit when I decide it’s time. Stop fucking asking me.”

She follows me as I make it to my room, pushing the door open. I grab a set of pajamas, gray boxers, and a blanket.

“Emiliano, this isn’t fair on me-” she starts, but I cut her off.

“Tough shit, sweetheart. Life isn’t fair, and I sure as fuck am not. So, deal with it.”

The room is silent as I continue to rummage through my second drawer, when she sniffles, once, then twice, and a third time. My throat tightens and a weird sensation fills my chest. I should probably call Callahan. The bathroom door closes softly, and I feel like a huge asshole for some reason. I’m knocking on the door before I can think better of it.

“Valentina, listen, I know that wasn’t exactly nice. Come out, I want to talk.” Nothing. “Valentina?”

“Fuck off, I’d rather speak to the devil than you,” she says with a shaky but stern voice, and I can’t help but laugh, which causes her to fling the door open.

“Shut up, you don’t get to laugh.” Her eyes look red, and my face instantly falls. Valentina’s eyes analyze me before she decides that she wants to slam the bathroom door in my face. I stick my hand out, stopping her from doing just that. As she tries to push my arm out the way, I don’t budge. “Move, asshole.”

Pushing the door open with my other hand, I step into the bathroom. Valentina doesn’t budge from where she’s standing. I move into her space, so close, she has to tilt her head up to look me in the eye.

“Get out.” Her words are barely audible as she tries to speak up.

“No. Listen I’m…sorry,” I say softly.

Her eyes harden, looking enraged.

“Sorry for what, exactly? Taking me from my family? Being rude and abrasive? Or sorry for the things we’ve done? Which is it?” Valentina shoves her hands into my chest with each sentence, but on the third push, I grab her wrists into my hands and pull her into me.

“I’m not sorry for what we've done. I’m not sorry for taking you from your family. But I am sorry for the way I spoke to you,” I whisper into her ear. She shudders at the tone I use, but doesn’t move. “Now you tell me, are you sorry for what we've done so far?”

Her breath hitches, but she doesn’t answer. I let go of her wrists and slowly inch backwards. Valentina surprises me when she wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me down to kiss me.

Her lips are as soft as I remember, causing me to kiss her back feverishly. My arms snake around her waist, as one of her hands makes its way into my hair. I groan when she pulls at the strands, my tongue swiping across her bottom lip and her mouth parts slightly. A shiver runs down my spine as her nails rake over the back of my neck,. I rest my forehead on hers as we both try to catch our breaths.

“That wasn’t a kiss you’d give to someone who isn’t your type,” I tease. She sinks her nails into the back of my neck again, not liking my teasing tone.

“Shut up and kiss me,” she mumbles against my lips. I pick her up, and her legs wrap around my waist as I swallow her surprised gasp. My arms support her legs as I walk us to my room.

She lands on the bed as I stand at the edge, watching her as she pants, eyes wide and full of lust. When my hand trails up her leg, she fists the sheets beside her. Looking into her eyes, I pause my hand at her joggers’ waistband.

“Are you sure you want this?” I ask. Her throat moves on a rough swallow before she nods.

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