"We've waited years for this debt. That's not fast." I smile. "That's the bill finally coming due."
My brother steps out, and I return a call to one of the families regarding Raffaele's handling of the recent confrontation. Raffaele is not only dangerous, but he's a fearless, stubborn asshole. But I told him to handle it, and however he chose to do so is fine with me.
I let the man on the other end talk for a while before wrapping up the conversation.
"Your men crossed the line. If it happens again, you may not be so lucky to get the chance to call me out on it." I make sure he gets the message loud and clear, then disconnect.
I spend the day catching up. I haven't been in my office in over a week, so there's plenty to do. I know I should work through this pile on my desk. Return more calls before it gets late. There's so much I *should* do.
But I can't get her off my mind.
I log into the surveillance feed on my phone, but she's not there. Rosa didn't tell me she was leaving her room.
I wait to see if she comes out of the bathroom, but the door is open and there's no shadow moving around inside.
Her room is empty.
The bed is made, but she usually leaves her slippers right beside it.
They're not there.
No sign of her.
No Valentina.
I call Rosa. She doesn't answer.
I walk to her room as if she might magically appear by the time I arrive, but she's not here. I sit at the edge of her bed, trying to remain calm. The truth is, I've been on edge since the shooting.
This wasn't my first bullet. Not the first attempt on my life. Before I was the Don, my brothers and I protected my father fiercely. Since becoming the King, everyone around me works to keep me safe so I can run this kingdom. For a moment, I guess I forgot how it feels to almost die.
Or maybe there's something different about this one.
Maybe it's the fact that I chose a woman to be my wife. Decided I wanted more.
More than my father had, even though when my mother was alive, he was a complete man. The way she lit up the mansion with her stories. She spent countless hours in the library, and while most mafia wives and politicians’ wives focused on buying expensive bags and jewelry, she collected books.
Books with history most people wouldn't want to explore. She was brilliant, kind, caring, and consistent.
I see the same beauty in Valentina. The moment I saw her photo, I started watching her. Everything about her called to me, and I knew she was the one.
I knew I was going to make her my queen.
But these past few days, I've been avoiding her. Not only because she saw a weakness I've always hidden, but because I made her a promise. She was going to be my wife. Everything that belongs to me would be hers. And I nearly defaulted on that promise.
What would have become of her if I'd died?
It's not like Raffaele to hurt a woman, but she's here. The only outsider we've ever let stay in the mansion, because I chose her.
The thought of dying and leaving her with impossible options makes my blood boil.
What would have happened? What would have become of my bride-to-be?
But most importantly… where the fuck is Valentina?
I send her a message.
You're not in your room.
