Page 35 of The Agreement

“You were both on the alter to stop this war, and it slowly has, our men don’t fight nearly as much.”

“True, De Luca, but I also don’t like the reputation I have built up in front of my men to be tarnished. You see, that mark on her face lasted far longer than a few minutes and I didn’t like it. Next time that happens, I’m taking the woman and the blood will be flowing again.”

“You would harm my daughter Giovanni?”

“Never, she’s under my care, nor will she be a pawn. But I will not stand for you laying a God damn fucking hand on what’s mine. And believe me, anziano (old man), she is all mine.” Vinny watched the fire flare-up in Rafael’s eyes and though he knew the taunt got him, that wasn’t what pissed him off. No, it was the thought, the implication that Vinny had already slept with Val. As sad as it was, it amused Vinny to see the fire in the man’s eyes. Sure, Vinny knew Rafael loved his daughter, there was no doubt about that, but a tough love wasn’t something Vinny thought should happen with females, it tore them up in ways it wouldn’t do to a man.

“You told me you would respect my daughter!”

“And I have, just like I should. I have done everything I said I was going to do. And though you might not believe it because it’s not your standards, she does everything she said she was going to do.” Rafael grunted at that. “But a reminder, she is mine. You would do well to have that stick in your mind.” With that, Vinny stood up and straightened his jacket.

“Anything else to say?” Oh, he had a lot to voice, but he knew it would only get his ass in trouble and that was the last thing he wanted.

“Valentina won’t be coming to work for you anymore.” That had Rafael jumping out of his seat and Giovanni raised a brow.

“You can’t make Val quit.”

“I am and I did. She will have a new job, one that pays in fact. I’m all for doing what one feels is good and going against the view of many other people, but not at the cost of making a fool out of someone. You did Val wrong with that whole building deal and you know it. If that was you being angry over another incident, that was not good and you are far too smart not to know that.” Rafael licked his lips but his stance screamed anger to Vinny and he knew he hit a nerve, probably many. But when a man fucked up, he needed to be called out on that shit.

“You think you know so much about me, huh?”

“I know enough.” Vinny walked over to the door, his hand on the knob, ready to open it. “Val won’t be back, remember that. And if you want to keep on being a dick De Luca, you will lose your only daughter.”

“What do you mean?”

“I had a gun run go wrong, but it wasn’t a normal fuck up.” Rafael’s eyes narrowed for he knew exactly where this was going. “And as the only family to have a hand in gun-running as well, this looks bad for you. I’m sure Val wouldn’t take kindly to finding out that you might have had a hand in something to do with her newfound friend, or that you lied to her, or that her sacrifice went far beyond the stopping of a war.”

~ Chapter 28 ~

Val watched the passing scenery from the backseat of the Mercedes and frowned as she realized they were on their way to the airport. When Vinny had come back home last night, and after Luciana left, Vinny had told her to pack a bag because they were leaving town for a few days and they would be up pretty early. Val agreed and asked about Celeste’s car and Vinny told her they were looking into it, that something seemed off and that he was hoping to have answers by the time he got back. And as she sat there, she was assuming they were driving out of town, not flying. Hell, she couldn’t even remember the last time she was on a plane, although she could recall where they had gone.

“Are you okay?” Val finally turned and looked at the man next to her.

“We are flying out?”

“Yup, what did you think?”

“I guess I thought that we would drive. I can’t even tell you the last time I was on a plane.”

“I take it you didn’t have many vacations?” Vinny asked.

“Very few. My dad hated leaving for too long. We went out to the Caribbean twice and that was it.”

“How old were you?”

“I think seven and ten. Didn’t even go anywhere when I graduated high school; in fact, the day right after I was in a meeting with my dad’s company.” She watched as Vinny frowned. “What?” she asked him.

“When you graduate college, I want to do something special for you. So pick any place you would like to go, and I will take you.” She beamed as she looked at him.

“Really, you can do that?”

“Take time off, yes. You deserve it.”

“Thank you.” Her gaze turned back out the window as they pulled up to the private plane. “You have a plane?”

“Me no I don’t; my dad, yes. We do too much business elsewhere and so a plane works best for us.” She blinked a couple of times as he helped her out and then led her to the plane.

“Why New York?” she asked as she walked up the steps.

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