Page 46 of The Agreement

“What a stunning dress and a stunning creature but I know of no beauty like you. Are you new to the city?”

“Visiting a friend,” Val said, pointing to Enzo who nodded at the senator. “He was kind enough to bring me here tonight. I was just granted a large trust fund and would like to donate it to the arts. I was seeing if the opera house, or the performers, could use it.” The senator beamed as he stuck his hand out.

“Senator Michael Rayes,” he introduced himself.

“Valentina De Luca,” she said as he took her hand. She had him; hook, line and sinker. The beautiful beauty with the charm, the smile, the grace, and the funds always seemed to draw them in and it gave them away.

“I’m hosting a gala tomorrow night, for the arts in facts. If you would like to attend, I will make sure to put your name on the list.”

“I would be honored to attend Senator Rayes. Now, if you will excuse me, this is my favorite opera and I would hate to miss it.”

“Of course. See you tomorrow Ms. De Luca.” She smiled and made her way to the box but as she was about to open the door, she stopped, for walking down the hallway towards her was Dante.

~ Chapter 36 ~

“Dante,” Val said, smiling at the man.

“Valentina, what are you doing here?”

“Watching the show of course.” Val smiled as Dante rolled his eyes. “Oh what am I doing in New York, you mean?” He nodded and she grinned again. “Vinny wanted to take me out of the city for a few days and since I have never been to New York, he thought it would be nice for us.”

“So Giovanni is here?” Val heard the disdain in his voice for her fiancé and she did feel bad. She had liked Dante, though he would have made a good husband for her but that, sadly, was a field her dad had control over and Dante would have been told no if he had ever asked her dad anyway.

“He is my soon to be husband, Dante.”

“Yes, but I saw you and thought maybe you might have been with your dad.”

“I know my dad came out here for work but I never came with him and I thought you would know that. Didn’t you come out with him a time or two?” Looking back, she knew she heard her dad talk about it, but she wasn’t too sure why, it wasn’t like Dante was ever close with her dad.

“I guess that’s true. And yes, I did come with him. He wanted to talk to someone.”

“Yeah, who was that?” As far as she knew, her dad didn’t have business dealings in New York so she wasn’t sure whom he would have wanted to talk to.

“A friend of mine. In fact, this is his box, which was why I was curious why you were getting ready to walk into it.” Val stared at Dante for a moment as she put it together.

“You know Enzo?

“I would hope so, he is my cousin. Our moms are sisters.” Val nodded her head but she was curious if Vinny even knew that. “The show is about to start so please don’t let me keep you. I’ll see you around Valentina.” And with that, he was walking away and leaving Val to stare at the retreating back. The door opened and Val turned to look at Vinny who was just standing there.

“What is taking you so long, the show is starting?” She walked past him and took his hand, sitting behind Enzo.

“I’ll have to tell you after the show because you will be quite surprised.”

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The group walked back out of the box and Val waved bye to the senator, promising again that she would be there the following day. Vinny opened the door for her and she smiled as she climbed into the car. The rest of the guys climbed in and soon they were heading back to the hotel. Vinny cleared his throat and Valentina glanced at him, smiling as she knew what he wanted.

“You are so impatient.” Vinny rolled his eyes and Enzo lifted a brow.

“What is that for?” he asked.

“Val was coming to the box rather late and when I asked about it she said she would tell me later on, and now I want to know.”

“Dante is in New York.” Both Vinny and Frankie froze as they just stared at her. “On the way to the box I saw him and he was curious why I was going into that particular box as it belonged to his cousin.” It took a moment before all eyes turned to Enzo who held up his hands.

“What do you guys have against Dante? Yes, he is my cousin but he wouldn’t do anything to you, Val, especially not near my properties or anything, at least I do believe that.”

“Dante was one of the men who admired Valentina,” Vinny told him and Enzo frowned.

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