Page 70 of Veil of Vengeance

She gets up and grips the edge of my desk to steady herself, then slowly makes her way to the door, gripping onto the chairs on the way, trying to stay upright. I slam my computer shut once she’s out of my office. Leaning back into my chair, I let out a long sigh and put my hands on the back of my head.

I don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do. To get our revenge on the Outfit and fulfill my promise to my soldiers, I need to give Valentina back. The fucking thing that’s messing with my head is that a part of me doesn’t want to send her back, and it’s growing every day.

Fucking fuck. No, I can’t have her; she’s part of the Outfit. Making up my mind, I slip my phone out of my pocket before I change my mind. I decide to call the Capo.

“Have you decided what you want to return my fucking daughter to me, you sick bastard?” Alvize Moretti has always had a short fuse, and it’s never worked in his favor, not in our world and not in the business world.

“I want your nephew.” Silence, then I hear some cursing.

“Which nephew are you talking about?” Moretti’s acting stupid, as if that shit would buy him time to come up with something.

“Cut the shit, Moretti, I want your nephew, Giuseppe.”

Some more cursing, some in English and some in Italian.

“I’m not giving you my fucking nephew, Folonari. Anything else, I’ll give you.”

I grit my teeth.

“You’re in no position to negotiate. You either hand over Giuseppe, or I’ll keep Valentina here until kingdom come.” I end the phone call without waiting for a reply. I can’t believe the bastard thinks he has any room to negotiate. Instead of heading back to my room like I want to, I go to make some food. The kitchen is empty just like I’d expected it to be after lunch was done. I open the fridge door and grab some of the Sfogliatella Lydia made.

Pulling out a stool out, I sit at the island table, enjoying the silence. Once I’m done, I wash the dish and then my hands before heading back to my room to grab some clothes. When I reach my room, I don’t find Valentina anywhere. Changing out of my suit, I quickly make my way downstairs. The living room, kitchen, and garden are empty, so I head to go look in the den. I can make out some voices from the long hallway, near the kitchen.

The distinct timber of Valentina’s voice becomes clear once I get closer to the gaming den. Valentina, Mara, Matteo, Romiro, and Lucio, whose arm is in a sling, are all scattered around the room with gaming controllers in their hands and eyes glued to the screen. Valentina and Romiro are sitting on the couch, their eyes narrowed.

Mara and Lucio are sitting on the floor in front of them, while Matteo sits in the corner watching them with a bored expression. The carpet muffles my steps as I make my way into the gaming den. They don’t see me because the lights are dimmed, the screen providing illumination. Matteo spots me first, but the others don’t, not until I stand in front of the gaming screen.

“Oh, what the fuck, Eli, get out the fucking way.” Lucio waves the arm holding the controller around.

“What the fuck are you shitheads doing?” I ask, and Lucio groans. Mara sighs loudly, and Romiro leans back with a smirk on his face. Valentina doesn’t answer, seeming to have retreated into her head. “Is one of you fucks answering me, or should I wring one of your necks?” I flick my gaze to Matteo, but he just leans back into his seat, stretching his legs.

“I thought you had better reduction skills as our Capo. They’re clearly playing a game,” he mutters dryly. Lucio barks out a laugh and throws the controller on the floor.

“I can see that, smartass. What the fuck is she doing out with the rest of you?” I don’t have to say who “she” is because they all look at Valentina, who’s glaring at me like she wants to burn a hole between my eyes.

“We came by your room to see if you wanted to join us for game night, but found this surprise in there instead.” Romiro shrugs. I can tell he finds this shit hilarious.

“You three fuckers, I want you in my office tomorrow morning at nine, no later than that.”

Lucio yawns before arguing, “You know I need my beauty sleep, and I don’t wake up till twelve.”

Romiro bends over and taps him on the shoulder.

“It’s okay, pretty boy, one day won’t hurt,” Rom teases.

Lucio swats at Romiro’s arm. “I’d believe you, if you didn’t resemble Chucky’s bride.”

Mara slaps Lucio over the head. “Tiffany deserves some respect.”

Valentina looks like she’s about to die, holding in her laugh.

“That’s enough, you dumb fucks. Valentina, upstairs.” When she doesn’t move to get up, I add, “Now.”

She rolls her eyes before walking past me, muttering under her breath. Romiro snickers and whispers in Lucio’s ear, who looks like he’s been told he’ll get a machine gun for Christmas.

“Wanna make a bet, Esposito?” He cranes his neck backwards. I narrow my eyes at them, before walking toward a scowling Valentina.

“Sure, I bet you a thousand that they’re fucking already,” Romiro says. I stop dead in my tracks and turn to look at Romiro and Lucio, who are ignoring me.

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