Page 16 of The Agreement

“Come,” he said, holding out his hand to her. She looked at it before she looked up at him. She knew that whatever was going to happen, she had only herself to blame, so sat her hand in his and he helped her up and led her out to his car.

“Wait, my dad…”

“Knows what I’m doing and where I’m going.”

“How?” Giovanni lifted a brow at her as he held the passenger door open.

“Because he would do the same thing. You are mine, Valentina; it’s my job to protect you. It’s also my job to let you know when you do something that is fucked up. Now, please get in the carbella(beautiful).” Valentina looked back at the front door as it opened and watched as her dad stood there. Fine, she knew she was in the wrong but she felt like everyone was making a big fucking deal over nothing. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and got into Vinny’s car.

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He knew as he gripped the steering wheel tightly, that she didn’t get why this was bugging him. It wasn’t just the lack of guards, it was the fact someone got close to her. And the fact that someone else did what he should be doing. For men like him and his job, this was a new level of disrespect. And outsiders would say he couldn’t protect his own woman, then how could he run his family, his streets? And people would start to distrust him and challenge him.

And add in the fact that this was Dante, the son of a rival family. He could gladly make this so much worse; he could put the challenge out there. And on the final note, Dante had always wanted Valentina, his Valentina. And the fact that he touched her, was not sitting well with him. He knew, as much as he hated it, that all those parts were bad and he needed to take care of it, but what pissed him off the most was that he touched her! And he got that it made him sound like a little kid, but he wasn’t caring about that at this moment.

“Where are we going?” He shot a glance at her and saw red again, but for a whole other reason. He saw it the first time he saw her sitting in the chair and he saw the cut on her lip. He was furious that someone dared attack her. And when he heard, he wanted to kill them but hearing it was Celeste, this was going to be a different ball game.

“I am taking to you my house,innamorato(sweetheart).”

“Am I to be a prisoner there instead?” She crossed her arms and the bandage pulled tight, but she made no indication that it hurt.

“You aren’t one, Valentina, and you will never be. But, my house is safer. No one goes in or out without my knowing. It isn’t meant to keep you in though, it’s meant to keep stupidstronzi(assholes) out.”

“Stronzi(assholes), like Dante?” He let out a breath as he glanced at her and reached for her hand.

“You aren’t stupid Val, you know that man wants you. And you know you are on his radar. He could have kidnapped you today and didn’t. I just have to make sure he can’t do it again.”

“Do you really think Dante would do that? Wouldn’t that be starting another all-out war? But rather than one family, he would be fighting two?”

“We are mafia, we fight, it’s part of what we do. So yes, he would take that risk. The chance to take down two major families in one swoop is amazing and the power behind that would be great.” Val kept her eyes outside as she watched the passing scenery. He could tell the wheels were turning in her head.

“I…I never thought of it like that.”

“I know you didn’tinnamorato(sweetheart). And truthfully, it shouldn’t be something you were ever worried about.” She slowly turned and looked at him, a smile appearing on her lips.

“I am sorry.”

“I know.” Even though she was, and he knew it, it still needed to be shown. He never wanted to hit her and he hated the thought of spanking her, but he did need to do something. He had to let her really know why this was bad; make her see that something like this could never happen again. “Now, I’m curious how my staff will take to you.”

“What do you mean?” Her brows crinkled in confusion and he was starting to find that look way too damn cute.

“You would be the first woman I have ever brought in, let alone live. My family has been here, but outside of them and the staff, you will be the first,” he turned into his drive as he smiled at her, “and the last.”

~ Chapter 14 ~

He pulled into the four-car garage and quickly cut the engine after he parked. She looked through the window at the other three cars and lifted a brow as he helped her out.

“Where would mine go?” He grinned at her question and tossed her a wink.

“I have a warehouse at the back of my property that has another five cars. These are merely the ones I drive more often. When you move in, I’ll simply put one of these back there.” She blinked, she knew that it would happen, her moving in and living with him, but to hear it, it felt more real.

“Right,” she muttered, which caused him to chuckle. It was as surreal for him as it was for her.

“So,bella(beautiful), let me give you the grand tour.” He took her hand and led her outside the garage door. “I have ten acres of land, one outdoor pool, and a Jacuzzi.” He pointed them out and her eye followed his finger.

“Wow, that’s one big pool too.”

“I often swim. I find it more enjoyable than a gym to stay in shape.” ‘Amazing,’ she thought, ‘that’s why she enjoyed the pool so much more too.’ “The house itself,” he started as he walked around the two-story building and to the front door, “is three stories; I have a basement that has my bar and game area. The first floor has a huge living room and kitchen, along with three of the five bedrooms.”

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