Page 47 of The Agreement

“I’m not particularly close to the man. When his mom moved to Chicago, she lost contact with my mom and this was before he and I was born. So, though we our cousins, it’s not like I talk to him, we have other drama too. In fact, I hadn’t seen him since he came here.”

“But you knew he was in town?” Frankie asked.

“He got here about three days before you guys did. My mom told me but again, I haven’t seen or talked to him since he’s been here.” Enzo paused and looked at Frankie and then at Vinny. “Wait, you don’t think Dante would be behind this, do you?”

“He was pretty upset that I got the one woman he wanted,” Vinny said and Enzo shook his head.

“Dante may have wanted Val, he talked about liking someone, but I never knew who. But he wouldn’t hurt her, you may be Vinny, but not Val. And he would never do anything to you if that meant that she would be in danger.

“And he wouldn’t have known that you were here anyway. Or that you were coming. Vinny no one in my family, real or mafia, knew you were coming. You know I never tell anyone.”

“And you wouldn’t lie to me right Enzo?” Enzo rolled his eyes but it was another voice that spoke up.

“He has no reason to lie,” Val said, grabbing Vinny’s arm.

“And you know this how when you don’t know the man?” Vinny asked and Val smiled at him.

“It’s my job to read the bull shit, not just on paper but in people. Enzo is right, he hadn’t seen Dante and when I talked to Dante, he seemed shocked that you were with me Vinny. He didn’t know you were here any more than we knew he was.”

“You know people can act Val,” Frankie offered and she nodded.

“Very well in fact. But it’s still my job to fish out the bullshit and I’m pretty fucking good at it. I don’t trust Dante, no offense Enzo,” he shrugged and shook his head to say none was taken and she went on, “but he wasn’t behind this attack.” Vinny cocked his head and looked at her.

“You don’t remember anything odd?”

“No, not at all.”

“So why say he wouldn’t be behind it?”

“What would he have to gain if he killed me? Killing you Vinny puts out the Constantini family, but not the De Luca family, since it goes to Joey. But if he took you out, he would have me to marry and strengthen his family.” Everyone paused; she had weight with what she said and it was logical. They were picking at little things without facts behind them and they knew that. They needed to look at this from a new angle.

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Valentina walked out into the lobby floor, her hair pulled up into a fancy bun and the emerald floor-length dress enhanced both her skin tone and her curves. When she told Enzo what she wanted, he quickly had someone looking for it. She needed to shine but no outshine; she needed to make sure eyes were on here, even though she hated it.

They wanted to make sure that anyone who was after them was aware that they didn’t achieve their goals, no matter what and they were going to have limited chances to try again. She hated being front and center like that but her role now had changed and marrying the next boss didn’t keep her out of harm’s way. And it all could have been an accident, a freak chance; however, no one was buying that.

“Are we ready?” The guys turned and smiled at her. She took Vinny’s arm and smiled back.

“I guess I shouldn’t have said you needed to know your place for you do know it rather well,” he told her and Valentina blushed as she climbed into the limo.

“I have my bitchy moments and it wasn’t like I always nice to you, but you also were a dick.”

“Was?” Frankie said as he climbed in behind them. “He still is.”

“Yeah, but I can handle him better now.” They laughed and watched out the window as they took the short drive to the location.

“I know you know how dangerous this is Val, and I know that you know your act, but I would like it if you stayed close to one of us. Since we have…” Val rested her fingers on his lips to silence him.

“I promise, I won’t do anything stupid, you both have my word.” They nodded and smiled. “Ready to charm the cameras?” They both rolled their eyes and helped her out of the limo once they stopped. She stood in line for the cameras to snap their photos even though there was no real clue who she was.

“How I hate the media circus,” Vinny whispered to her as they finally made it through and into the building.

“I know, but sometimes it is needed. I did enough for my dad.”

“Stay close.” She nodded to his command as they walked around.

50 minutes later, she stood behind a bush as Frankie went to get her something to drink and Vinny had to go talk to someone. They thought she would be okay as no one seemed to know her, which was a good thing and she was grateful for that.

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