Page 30 of The Agreement

“Come on, we all remember how you two were like oil and water. And you want to tell me that just because you two have shared some kisses and that you two have stayed together that you two are perfectly fine?” Vinny refused to tell his friend how those kisses had set his blood pounding though.

“You know, sometimes it’s best to play nice than it is always to fight. She and I can be good together, we just have to curb those little things that piss each other off, you know.” Vinny finished off his drink and then put his glass away, pausing as his cell rang. He frowned at the ID and Frankie watched him, not liking that look. “Ciao bella(hello beautiful).”

“Giovanni?”

“Luciana? Why do you have Val’s phone?” That caused Frankie to walk over, even more curious now.

“She’s scared and shaking too much.” Vinny’s eyes locked with Frankie’s and they both ran out to his car.

“Why, what happened that she would be shaking?”

“I….just…come.” Vinny’s brow pulled down in confusion.

“Yes, we are on our way. Send me the address, or at least the cross streets.” He stopped and then whispered, “take care of her Luciana.”

“I will.” And with that, he heard the click and powered his own cell down, waiting for the ding of a text message.

“Fuck, they are about 30 minutes away. What the fuck happened?”

“I don’t know boss, but I’ll hurry to get us there.” Frankie glanced over at his friend. “Whatever happened with the mall incident?” Vinny sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“Nothing. I knew she felt bad enough, it was pretty clear so I let it go.” Frankie nodded at that phone in Vinny’s lap.

“Luciana shouldn’t have called you Vinny, her enforcers should have, so why didn’t they? Where the fuck did they go?” Vinny stared at Frankie for several long moments, his mounting anger showing in the hardness of his eyes and the strong set of his jaw.

“Giuro, se quella donna li ha cacciati via o li ha abbandonati di nuovo, farò in modo che non lasci mai la fottuta casa maledetta di Dio(I swear, if that woman chased them off or ditched them again, I will make sure she never leaves the fucking God damn house)!” Even Frankie flinched at the sounds of his anger and he almost regretted teasing Vinny about their past; those were sounds Vinny used to make. Hell, he lost count of how many times he would cuss out Val.

“Vinny, don’t man; maybe there is something logical behind it. Maybe something happened to her enforcers.” Vinny gave Frankie that, but he didn’t like it; something wasn’t sitting right in his gut. He glanced at his phone as it buzzed again and Vinny cursed at the caller ID.

“Yeah, Johnny?”

“Where are you, man?”

“On my way to fix a problem, why? Did something happen?” Vinny heard rustling, someone walking, and then the closing of a door. “Johnny?”

“Sorry, I needed to get to my office. How soon can you be at my house?” Vinny closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.

“I don’t know I’m fucking dealing with a problem and Val right now. What is going on that you need me at your place so badly?” Vinny looked over at Frankie as the man shot him a look.

“Celeste just came to my house.” Vinny ran his hand over his face and let out a breath. Why was Johnny being so God damn difficult right now?

“Okay, I care why?”

“Her car was shot up, you can see the holes.”

“Fuck! I’ll be there after I deal with this!” With that, Vinny ended the call and turned his attention to the car they had pulled up to. Vinny glanced at Luciana, who was currently holding Val then his gaze turned to the car. Once Frankie parked, he got out and looked at the Porsche, seeing no damage other than the window. His attention snapped to the other vehicle as someone pulled up. “Joey?”

“What are you doing here Vinny?” Joey asked as he got out and walked over to Vinny.

“Luciana called me and said Val was in trouble, why are you?”

“Val called me and said she was being chased.” That blew up Vinny’s anger even more. Val had made the choice to call her cousin, but not the man she was engaged to? Was it because she knew she fucked up again and that by not getting a call, he wouldn’t know about this? Vinny turned around and stalked over to the two ladies. Luciana saw his anger and quickly jumped up to face him.

“Wait, Giovanni.”

“Get out of my face Luciana; I need a word with her.” Luciana glanced back at her friend before she stepped aside. Val glanced up as Vinny moved to stand above her, his jaw tight. “What game are you playing at Valentina?”

“N…no..game. We…were being…chased…and…someone…shot…my car.”

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