Page 70 of The Agreement

"If you leave Val, know that I will not want you working for me or with me anymore." Valentina shrugged as she turned to walk away, no longer caring about this conversation or what her parents had to say. It was obvious they were judging her and she wasn’t going to take it. Her life was now with Vinny and if no one wanted to be part of it that was fine for her too.

"That's fine, father. You won’t live forever and Joey likes how my mind works. Do be careful of your business dealings, both legal and not, though." She was really the only one who knew and grasped all the funds he was pulling in. She walked to the door but paused, Vinny stepping up beside her. "I know the rules, I knew I need permission. Perhaps you should question what Boss I got it from, though." Without a backward glance, she walked out the door and to the car, letting Vinny open the door for her. She started to climb in but looked up as the front door opened and Joey stood there, a smile on his face. She waved at him before climbing into the car, glancing behind her as she saw Dante’s car pull up. She watched as he got out and walked up to the door, shaking Joey's hand. Val couldn’t help but wonder what meeting they had going on.

~ Chapter 54 ~

Joey watched the retreating car for a second before he glanced at Dante again and reached out to shake his hand. Dante watched the car as well before offering a smile to Joey. He turned back around and nodded to it.

“Was that Val?” Dante asked.

“Yeah, it was. She had to stop and talk to her dad,” Joey offered.

“With Giovanni?” Joey eyed the other man for a moment, curious as to why he would be questioning that, he knew they were together. It wasn’t rocket science to anyone with a pair of eyes that Dante didn’t much care for Giovanni so Joey couldn’t help but wonder about his feelings now. If Joey had his way, he would have paired his cousin up with this man way before he glanced at Giovanni, but he wasn’t sure if that was the womanizer that he was noticing or the fact that it was the war that clouded his judgment.

“It was. Seems they eloped and her parents weren’t thrilled.” Dante twisted around so fast and looked at Joey, his eyes flashing with something.

“They eloped? When?”

“Just a few days ago it seemed. Why man, does that bother you, Dante?”

“Just thought your uncle wouldn’t have gone through with the wedding by any means. Guess she’s been living with him too, huh?” Joey shrugged as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

“The happenings between my uncle and his daughter don’t concern me much. However, the business end greatly does and he’s ruffling her feathers too much for my liking. But as I’m not the boss, he won’t listen to my counsel.” Dante chuckled as he followed Joey into the house and walked into the breakfast room.

“Ah, Dante, I’m glad you could drop by,” Rafael said, standing up and shaking the young man’s hand. “If you want to wait with Joey in my office, I’ll be right there, and we can get down to business.”

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The car pulled into the vacant parking lot and the driver got out, their agitation high as they started pacing. How was it that so many well-laid plans seemed to have fucking blown up and they were powerless to stop it? Everything that was set up, failed, and now they were left with crumbs, and that pissed them off more than words could ever say. They paused as another car pulled up to theirs and a woman walked out. She lifted a brow as she walked over and the heels clicking against the gravel sent their annoyance up even more. This was not a good sign but they had to keep their cool.

“Were you going to tell me they got married, Celeste?”

“I just fucking found that out myself, give me a fucking break.”

“You should have known that’s the road they were going to take.” Celeste just lifted a brow but shook her head.

“You know them too, why didn’t you think of that? I have done more than my share in trying to get rid of the problem.”

“The problem, in your eyes, is Val but that’s not the problem in mine and you have fucked it all up. Had you let me handle it like I saw fit months ago we wouldn’t be here.”

“Look, asshole, it wasn’t my fault that his mother found favor with me and pushed me as her pick over Val! It wasn’t my fault that every scene you drew up was putting me at risk. So excuse the fuck out of me if I choose not to be your kill goat in this plan. We both had goals, we both wanted them to be split up, so let’s try to work for that means.”

“Fine, Celeste, got any bright plans?” Celeste glanced around and shrugged.

“I might, and it’s really a last-ditch effort. If we can’t make this final plan work in claiming the person that we want, we will be exposed, and end up dead.” The other part let out a frustrated growl. Is this what it had come down to? Was it worth it? To them, for them, that wasn’t even a question.

“Fine, what are you thinking? I’m sure I won’t like it, but I don’t think I have any choices left here.” Celeste slowly smirked.

“I agree. They are too slick for their own good and I don’t like it. Believe me, them running off to get married is just not something I ever saw or thought would happen. But, here it is and this is our final card.” With that, Celeste stepped closer, just in case there were ears around that hadn’t been noticed or picked up on.

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“You feel like a party?” Luciana asked, her brow lifted as she looked at Val who only nodded.

“I do! It’s been four days since I’ve heard from either set of parents and I’m not dealing with stress, so therefore I’m not throwing up.” Luciana frowned at that.

“No, just eating things you don’t normally eat.” With that, Luciana eyed the crackers and peanut butter that were sitting on their table by the pool.

“Yeah, that is the odd part. Vinny gave me the strangest look when I told him I wanted to go to the store for peanut butter. Even more odd was the fact that he didn’t keep it in his house, isn’t that like a staple in every household or something?” With that, Val grabbed a cracker and spread the peanut butter on it, offering it to Luciana who shook her head in refusal.

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