Page 41 of The Agreement

“An even cost, given what the land value goes for in Chicago and you will want the best.”

“Of course Valentina but that doesn’t explain an even split on the illegal side,” Enzo said, leaning back in his chair as his finger ran around the rim of his glass, his eyes on her.

“Taxes. “

“I beg your pardon.” Even Vinny gave her a strange look and she almost wondered if neither one thought of that.

“Even having city officials or government officials in our pockets, we still have to pay taxes and the tax rate is higher in Chicago than it is in New York, which would cut into our profit.”

“It cuts into mine because we would be splitting.”

“You would be right, but if you split the take on the illegal side, it’s not a cut on either side.” Val paused and let that sink in, watching and loving the reaction on Enzo’s face, and yes, and on Vinny’s. He had never seen her at work and his look was something that sent wicked shivers down her spine. “You need the Chicago land way more than it needs you. Chicago has a policy that no outside people can have land or business in Chicago, so you need proof and an ID to buy anything.”

“I didn’t know that,” Vinny muttered and Val smiled.

“It’s a great deal for either side, it really is, the profit will be amazing, but if Enzo wants to grow, he will need help. Believe me, I know because my dad had people come to him and he needed numbers to figure out.”

“She’s a smart woman Giovanni,” Enzo said as he finished his drink and stood up, “and if you don’t want her, I will gladly step up for you man.” Val smiled her thanks at the praise from Enzo but it was the look of want and lust that was on Giovanni’s face that made her cheeks flame up.

“No, sorry man, this woman is already done and spoken for and I see no reason to let her go.” She felt Enzo’s eyes on them but she couldn’t look away from the look in Vinny’s eyes.

“Okay, okay, stay for as long as you like and enjoy, catch you tomorrow man.” With that, he patted Vinny’s shoulder but even Vinny didn’t look at him.

“You are amazing,” Vinny whispered, his hand cupping her cheek. “I would never have seen that, or thought about Enzo needing me more.”

“Don’t ask me about fashion, or even fancy cars, but give me deals and numbers and I promise you will never be sorry.”

“No, I don’t think I want you any other way anyway.” With that, he leaned forward and captured her lips. And she knew that even though they were in a public place, this was not for show, this was for and about her. Her hand rested on his arm and he was grinning when he pulled back. “Want to get out of here and go back to the room?” That smile and those devilish eyes held so much more that he wasn’t asking and she wanted to try it so she just nodded. He stood up and offered her his hand to help her. “Where’s your purse?” he asked as they started walking out.

“I left it in the car, figured I wasn’t going to need it with you two gentlemen.” He kept his arm around her as he opened the door and nodded to Frankie to remote start the car to warm up. What they weren’t expecting was the blast from the car that Frankie had just started and that had caused Vinny to push her to the ground.

~ Chapter 32 ~

Two hours later Vinny leaned back on the couch, one hand holding the phone to his ear and the other rubbing his eyes. He had experienced a lot of shit through his many years at this job, but he never had a car blow up on him. And the heat from the blast was beyond intense and it stunned both him and Valentina. There was no doubt on anyone’s mind that it was a car bomb set just for them that was meant to blow once the car started, but no one fucking knew where they were. And he sure trusted Enzo a lot more than some guy’s on his own crew, so he didn’t think it was coming from that side.

And of course, the person he was on the phone with was quite furious. Not that Vinny blamed his dad, but his dad wanted answers he just couldn’t give and that was the hard part. Frankie swore up and down that they were never followed and Vinny believed him. Which left Valentina but Vinny didn’t believe she would do this, and that’s what he told his dad.

She hadn’t even known where they were going and she had no time from them being airborne to them leaving to be alone enough to make any calls. And who would she even call way the fuck out here? It was obvious this trip was her first one out here. And she had no connections out there, but his dad was being bullheaded at the moment and not wanting to listen to his reasons. And if he wasn’t worried about getting more shit later on, he would hang up on his dad. So, he did the next worse and best thing and cut him off in the middle of his rant.

“You know better than to interrupt me, Giovanni.”

“I know dad, but I need to go get cleaned up and go to bed. But before I do I want to leave you with a thought. You thought Val had something to do with the shooting with the gun run but had nothing to gain from that. But, had she been in the car tonight when that shit happened, she would have been killed. So then I ask again, what would she have gained?” With that, he bid goodbye and hung up the phone. He tossed it on the table, so badly wanting to turn it off, but you didn’t ignore the boss and he had no doubt that his dad would be calling later.

He finally got up and went to his room, taking a quick shower to let his mind clear. His thoughts had been spinning since the event and he could come up with no answer, not to it. He trusted the few people who knew where he was. So, that left Vixen and Val. And Vixen didn’t have the means to pull it off, not being outside of her work. Besides she knew the mafia world and what would happen to her if she went after someone as powerful as him, and actually Val. And it wasn’t even like Vixen knew anything about Val before tonight. And even if she was that stupid to try something, she would have had no time to organize this.

Which again left Val but he just couldn’t see how. And watching her tonight, he was amazed at the new turn with her and he wasn’t going to entertain the thought that it would be her. So, that left what? Someone trailing after them? After her? But fuck, how? Vinny shook his head as he wrapped up his shower and then stepped out, wrapping the towel low on his hips.

He stepped into his room but quickly paused as he saw the woman sitting on the bed. Well, shit, he never thought he would see Val sitting on his bed, but he wouldn’t dare say it was a bad sight. She glanced up at him and then over him before she turned her gaze back down to the hands that were fiddling with each other, a sure sign that she was nervous.

“I’m sorry to just come in like this. I just, I was scared and didn’t want to be alone.”

“Scared of someone coming after you? Because I promise that you are safe here. Enzo has some men posted outside the doors and below on the ground level.” Val shook her head slightly and Vinny kept on watching her. “You’ve never had that happen before huh?”

“Never, nor have I ever been shot at, I’m not used to these things.” She finally looked up at him and the look in her eyes cut him deeper than he would have thought. “Is someone after me Giovanni?”

“I wish I could tell you no, Val, but I can’t. I just can’t figure out who.” Val looked at him and he wanted to kick his own ass. “Okay, let me rephrase that. I think Celeste shot at your car, I can’t figure out why, and I can’t figure out who else would be helping her.” Val titled her head and he saw the question in her eyes before it even left her mouth.

“What makes you think there were others to help her? I mean, we all know she doesn’t like me.”

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