Page 62 of The Agreement

“Hey Joey, um, are you alone? Like away from my dad.”

“Yeah, I’m at home, what’s going on?” She let out a breath and he picked up on it right away. “Are you okay? That was a heavy sigh and I heard about the supposed lunch or whatever with your mom.”

“That’s actually why I’m calling. I’m not only getting it from my mom but Vinny’s mom as well. They’re pushing for so much and wanting people in that I don’t want in, that I have issues with it, and I can’t take it.” She licked her lips as she heard him let out his own breath as if he knew what was coming. “I need your permission to elope without my dad knowing. As you are his underboss, and soon to be head of my family, I need it.”

“He will kill me, you know that right?”

“No, he won’t, he needs you remember, he doesn’t need me.” She paused and then cleared her throat. “I gave up my future for this war, I laid my future on the table to be with a man I didn’t like, one I couldn’t stand, I gave it up all up and all I’m asking is for you to allow me to marry at least how I see fit since nothing else in my life is my own choosing.”

“Does he make you happy?” She laughed as she watched Vinny grab a suitcase, the truth evident in her eyes, even if Joey couldn’t see.

“More than words can say. Please,cugino(cousin).”

“Sì, ce l'hai (Yes, you have it). But you need to tell the man yourself.”

“Prometto che me ne occuperò. Grazie. (I promise, I'll handle it. Thank you.)”

“Be careful, please. There is still someone out there after you and Vegas is pretty far away from Chicago.”

“I’ll have my husband with me, it’ll be okay. Love you.” She hung up and tossed the phone on the bed causing Vinny to look at her. “Let’s go get married.” She jumped on the man, her legs wrapping around him as she kissed him. She never would have thought her wedding would be like that, but with this man, and in his arms, she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

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Luciana walked onto the plane, her eyes glancing every which way before she grinned and sat down. Val shook her head and took the seat across from her as Vinny took the seat next to Val. They both watched as Luciana ran her hands over the seat and finally crossed her legs. She looked at the couple and shrugged.

"It’s not too shabby of a plane but I've been on bigger ones before."

"Oh stop, Luciana," Val said and shook her head, a smile on her lips at her best friend’s antics. Vinny reached over and took Val’s hand as the plane taxied out. Luciana watched the couple and the hand holding didn’t escape her notice.

"So this is real between you two now? For real? Because once you two say it, and I don’t care if it's in front of Elvis, it's a sealed deal."

"Well, the contract we signed was the seal, but no, this is real. You know I had my own fair share of ladies, Luciana, but I want Val." Luciana whistled at that.

"Giovanni, you are going to break a lot of hearts when you head back to Chicago a married man. However, I am glad you allowed me to come on this ride because I sure as hell wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

"I think Valentina would have had my ass if I didn't let you come. She needs her friend at this time." Val rolled her eyes at that but the smile on her face said she agreed. And that she was glad he even thought of it because it was something that didn’t come to her mind and she would have known that Luciana would have been pissed.

"Yeah, and I probably would have had hers had she not asked," Luciana replied, reading the look on Val’s face.

"In my defense, I've had some shitty meal dates." They all laughed and once they were airborne, Luciana asked for some wine. Once the glass was in her hand, she raised it up.

"To your last free night as single people. When we touchdown, I'm taking Valentina with me, Vinny, so that you don’t see your bride until the morning of."

"Just make sure she is dressed and in the right location, Luciana. And preferably not suffering from a hangover." The group of four shared a laugh before they took a sip and Val winked at Luciana, once again, grateful for her best friend.

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Valentina fell in love with the lights of Vegas as they came into the airport. She stared out the window once Vinny told her to look and she couldn’t take her eyes away. And she hoped that they at least had a few nights to enjoy the pleasures of Sin City. And true to her word, once the plane touched down, and the car took them to The Bellagio, and they had checked in, Luciana took Val and swept her up to the room, closing the world away for the night.

"Did you pack a dress?" Luciana asked and Val just looked at her friend, already knowing where this was going.

"I packed one I thought would work for the ceremony." Luciana rolled her eyes at that.

"I'm going to assume you didn’t pack any lingerie for the wedding night either, although I'm going to ask how is he?" Luciana questioned a wiggle to her brows.

"You mean as a lover?"

"Duh, Val."

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