Page 28 of The Agreement

“My dad.” Luciana’s brow crinkled in confusion.

“What did he do?”

“Yelled at me, basically said I was a worthless advisor and then slapped me.” Luciana gasped at that.

“But your dad is never like that!”

“I think he was furious over something else as well.”

“That had to do with you, Val?”

“Yes, I snuck away from my guards and got attacked.”

“Yeah, heard something about that. My dad was upset and used that as an example as to why I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere alone.”

“It’s not like I do it all the time. I just went with a friend who knows nothing about my life. How would I explain two guards following us? And yes, she would have seen them.”

“Was it easier explaining the attack to your friend?” Luciana asked.

“You might think it strange, but yes. She knows I have money so she just thought it had something to do with an unhappy account or a past jilted lover of Vinny’s; although, that was truer than anything.”

“God, Celeste; that woman can go straight to hell. If there was ever a woman I could take out, I would be her.” Val cracked a smile at that. Luciana would be her maid of honor and she hated Celeste with a blazing passion.

“Why not share with me, Luciana, your true feelings.” The young ladies shared a laugh and returned their view to the menu. After they placed their order and were once again alone, Luciana rested her arms on the table and regarded Val.

“You are happy with him, right Val?”

“As happy as I can be right now. Things aren’t as bad as I once thought.” Val blushed and bit her lip. “Luciana that man can kiss.”

“I saw the one in the paper, has there been more?” Luciana asked.

“Yes, a few.”

“Well, even though we have always disliked him, I will say I always wanted to kiss him.” Val laughed and gave her friend a light shove.

“Watch it now, my man,” Val told her friend, giving her a pretend side-eye.

“You need to remember that Valentina. You know how he was and how his past was; there may be a few other women who may try shit and you have every God damn right to stop them.”

“I know, but you also know me.”

“You are too soft for your own good. You are the daughter of a Don, you need to step up.”

“Why, isn’t that what you are for? Besides…” before she could say anything else, one of her men had stepped up alongside her. “What is it?”

“We got a call from your dad and we have to go, which means you need to go.”

“Nonsense. You go ahead. You know Luciana will protect me here. And she can ride to the house with me. Maybe I’ll show her my new pad.” Her cousins glanced at each other and Luciana waved them off.

“Honestly, I promise she will be okay,” Luciana told them. They finally shrugged and Val looked at her.

“Where are your guards?” Luciana gave Val a wicked smile as an answer to Val’s question.

“Gone. I told them I was having lunch with you and they weren’t needed as you would have your own.”

“Woman, you better pray nothing happens to us.”

Three hours later, the girls were wrapping up their lunch and were heading out to the car. Val stopped and looked around, feeling the eyes on her but spotting no one.

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