Page 49 of The Agreement

“Because there might be more enemies behind it??

“No, because that would mean I either have a leak in someone I trust or you are being followed somehow. But you had some great chances to be taken out and there has been nothing. So I’m going to assume there had been no backup plan and couldn’t do what they needed to.” They had stopped walking as Vinny saw the senator had spotted them and was on his way over to talk to Val. “I’m going to trust his guards since he is in a high-profile position. I need to go talk to my dad’s other partners before we leave.”

“Do what you need; I’ll be okay for a little bit. And I see Enzo walking this way as well.” Vinny kissed her cheek and walked away right as the senator walked up to her.

“You look lovely Ms. De Luca. Was that your boyfriend I saw leaving?”

“Try my fiancé senator.”

“Well, you two do make a good-looking pair.”

“Thank you. I had a fun evening, but I must be going. I have an early fight back home.”

“That’s a shame, I was hoping you would honor me with a dance and…” He was cut off as one of his men tapped him on the shoulder and pulled him close to talk to him. He finally looked around, nodded, and turned to look back at Val. “I’m sorry to be rude, but it seems someone is pretty much demanding to see me.”

“Not a problem Senator Reyes, it’s been a pleasure.”

“Likewise. I do hope you will come back and enjoy my city.”

“I’ll make sure to make a splash to get your attention when I come back to let you know I’m here.” They shared a smile and he left, leaving Val alone. She finished what was left in her glass and gave it to a passing waiter.

“Are you leaving Valentina?” Val turned around and smiled at Dante.

“Yeah, I just came to make…” She paused and looked at Dante. Something told her not to mention anything else and she wasn’t sure where that was coming from as she always trusted Dante.

“Came to make what?”

“An appearance on behalf of Giovanni. He had other plans and couldn’t make the gala so I told him I would go for him.”

“You are here alone? No one is watching out for you? That’s a bit foolish on his part. You may not be home but that doesn’t mean that someone couldn’t do something to you. Come,” he said, taking her arm gently, a smile on his face, “I’ll see you back to the hotel safely.”

“She is protected,cugino(cousin), so you don’t need to worry; I have her back, she is under my care and my protection as Vinny is my good friend. And you know Vinny doesn’t like anything to happen to those that are his.” The cousins shared a look that was filled with more animosity than Val would have known. And as she put her arm through Enzo’s to walk out, she couldn’t help but wonder why.

~ Chapter 38 ~

Enzo walked her out to the car and helped her into the back. Val sat back against the seat and crossed her legs, her eyes trained on Enzo. She knew the look she was giving him and soon he would crack. She almost grinned as he sighed and turned to her.

"What is the deal?" she asked.

"What deal, Val?" This had both Vinny and Frankie pausing in whatever they were talking about to look at both Val and Enzo.

"You and Dante had some serious issues back there, why? That was not over me."

"Wait, you saw Dante?" Vinny asked and Enzo nodded.

"The senator had something else to attend to and that left her alone long enough for Dante to talk to her. He was trying to escort her to the car." Val rolled her eyes at the accusing tone that laced Enzo’s words.

"Dante is a friend and he wouldn’t harm me, he was just trying to protect me. But don’t deflect, what are the issues between you two? I know you said you aren’t close but that look back there was more than that."

"You just won't let this go, huh?" Enzo asked and Val just shook her head. He glanced at Vinny but even he could read that he wouldn't be getting help there. "Alright, fine, I'll tell you but it's not a very pretty story. I've known Vinny for the better part of six years and in this world, that's just unlikely, especially coming from two different families. But when I meet Vinny, he had come to New York, not looking for deals but just for a good time. At that point, his dad was here along with Frankie and Salvatore."

"Yeah, I remember that first trip. We were in your bar and got so wasted. Think someone wanted to cause shit with Salvatore but he didn’t want to and you stepped in," Frankie said.

"Yup, that was one of my strip clubs. Dude was bad because he scared the ladies that night." Val just lifted a brow; she didn’t need all the past antics of her soon-to-be husband, she had a good enough idea as it was.

"Not sure what that has to do with Dante."

"Oh right. That particular night doesn’t. But that night did solidify a friendship between Vinny and me. So when Vinny came to me with a plan a couple of years back, I agreed.

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