Page 62 of Shield

Siena

All eyes are on me, and my face heats with embarrassment. Both Vin and Tommy terrify me, especially since they tried to stop Matti from saving me from Aurelio.

Still, I can’t help but enjoy the fact that Valentina is scowling, clearly irritated that I have something more to contribute than just being an annoying distraction.

“You have the codes?” Matti asks. “They weren’t on the flash drive.”

“No, but I think they were on Emily’s phone.”

Valentina frowns. “I didn’t see any codes.”

I grimace at Matti. Exactly why I didn’t want her going through my sister’s phone without me there. Of course she would look through everything.

“No, literally on her phone,” I clarify, peeling myself out of Matti’s arms so I can stand.

Crossing the room to my bag, I retrieve the small slip of paper that fell from Emily’s phone case when I threw it and hold it up. “This was inside her case, and it matches the lastline of numbers from a text she sent me.”

Matti scans the paper. “The numbers are washed out at the end,” Matti says, handing it to Vin.

I nod. “I’m surprised more aren’t washed out, but they were inside a waterproof case, so they were mostly protected.”

“She sent you a text with numbers in it?” Vin asks, irritated as he shifts his gaze to Matti accusingly.

Matti shakes his head. “I didn’t know.”

“She sent it, but it didn’t go through before….” My throat tightens. “I didn’t see it until I went through her phone.”

“She must have been trying to send them to you for safekeeping,” muses Tommy.

“The one on the paper looks like the last code we need, the one that triggers the thirty-minute delay before opening,” says Vin.

“Whatever,” Valentina scoffs, pushing back from the table and grabbing her bag. “I’ve been up for a week, I’m tired, and I’m done dealing with you bitches. Since I’m just an ‘annoying distraction,’ I’m going home to get some sleep.”

“Valentina,” Tommy steps forward, blocking her path to the door, and places a hand on her arm. “Your assistance would be invaluable. If you’re willing.”

Valentina’s expression shifts instantly to one of wicked flirtation. “I’m willing for you, Tommy. It’s been two out of three for so long.”

Tommy removes his hand from her arm, and his fingers immediately go to his ring again. “Right track, Valentina, but wrong destination.”

She stiffens and shoves him in the chest. “I’m not fucking someone just to help you—”

Tommy shakes his head, cutting her off. “I’m not asking youto fuck anyone. Franco likes you. If you can keep him busy for even an extra five minutes, it could make all the difference if he shows up earlier than we want.”

“Do what you do best, Valentina,” Vin says, cracking his knuckles with a smirk. “Just do it to Franco. And don’t fuck it up.”

“I don’t need this,” snaps Valentina, standing up and snatching her bag. “I’m not going to be bait for a douchebag.”

The corners of my eyes crinkle as I bite my tongue to stop myself from coming to Franco’s defense. She’s one hundred percent correct, but he’s my brother, and I fucking hate Valentina. No way I’m letting her talk shit about anyone in my family.

But before I can respond, Tommy smoothly cuts Valentina off and takes her bag from her shoulder gently. “It will take a minimum of fifty minutes to complete the job, and we don’t know when he’ll show up or who he’s bringing with him. If it’s too early, he will be a problem. Your help could mean everything.”

Tommy is smooth as silk, very different from Vin who’s so volatile and Matti who’s incredibly intense. I see how they make a good team.

Valentina glares at Tommy but doesn’t resist. “I’m not sucking Franco’s dick to help you fuckers out.”

Vin laughs. “Funny that that’s where you mind goes when I tell you to do what you do best. But no one is asking you to drop to your knees. Just keep him away from Luminous & Co.”

“Yes, just distract him,” Tommy agrees.

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