Raffaele rolls his eyes. “Don’t let this get too far, brother. Father has only been gone two years, and everyone is watching your every fucking move, especially Shadow.” I heed his warning but I don’t say anything. He picks up the folder and leaves.
I stay at my desk long after, thinking about the woman upstairs. The woman I brought here fully intending to ruin. Now I’m the one standing in the wreckage.
And damn if I don’t want more of it.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Valentina
The restaurant Lindsay chose is exactly her style, upscale but not pretentious, with dim lighting and booths tucked into corners where lawyers and politicians conduct business they don't want overheard.
I've been here before, back when my life was normal. I remember telling Lindsay she needed to stay away from some of the shady people she made deals with, so she didn’t risk losing her license to practice law. She doesn’t break any rules per se, but some of her tactics are strongly frowned upon.
Although now I feel like a hypocrite since I’m engaged to a mafia boss and not hating it as much as I should.
That was back when dinner with my best friend didn't require a shadow in a dark suit watching from across the room.
Nico, Salvatore's man, sits at the bar, nursing a drink he hasn't touched. He's doing a decent job of blending in, but Lindsay's sharp.
"Val!" Lindsay's already at the table, waving me over with the kind of enthusiasm that makes heads turn. She's in a blue power suit, fresh from court, her blonde hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. "Get over here. I ordered us wine."
I slide into the booth across from her, and she immediately grabs my hands across the table.
"Okay, spill. Everything." Her eyes are searching my face like she's looking for bruises. "You've been weird for weeks. Canceling plans. Vague texts. And now you're engaged to some mystery man I've never even met?"
I've rehearsed this. Practiced in the mirror until the lies felt almost natural.
"It happened fast," I manage, forcing a smile. "I know it seems crazy,"
“It is crazy,” she interrupts. “But...,” I continue. “He's different, Linds. Special."
"Special." She's not buying it. "You, the woman who overanalyzes every first date for weeks before committing to a second, just fell madly in love with someone and agreed to marry him in, what, a month and a half?"
"Sometimes you just know."
"Bullshit."
I laugh, and it comes out more genuine than I expected. God, I've missed her. Missed having a normal moment like this one.
"Can we just... have a normal dinner? Please? I promise I'll tell you more when I can."
Lindsay studies me for a long moment, her prosecutor's gaze missing nothing. Then she sighs.
"Fine. But I'm not dropping this forever." She takes a long sip of wine.
"Now, I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise?"
"Don't look so terrified." She grins. "It's a good one. You know how you've been working on your novel for what? Three years and never seem to have time to find an agent to represent you? Or should I say" she raises an eyebrow, "you've been too afraid to see yourself win?"
My stomach drops. "Lindsay..."
"I may have mentioned it to someone." She's practically vibrating with excitement. "A literary agent. Daniel Hashworth. He's with Horizon & Associates; they're huge, Val. Like, New York Times bestseller list huge."
"You didn't."
"I did. And he's here." She gestures toward the entrance, where a man is handing his coat to the hostess. "He wanted to meet you. Just a casual chat, no pressure. But Val, this could be your shot."
