Page 152 of Valentino

“I don’t think Carlo would hurt me,” I whisper.

“Maybe you’re not the actual target,” she continues, covering her mouth. “Maybe he’s trying to hurt Val and the boys, and you are the easiest way to do that.”

Oh….

“He already killed Giovanna,” I whisper as I connect more dots.

“Exactly. What makes you think he wouldn’t do it again?” She widens her eyes. “I wouldn’t put anything past him.”

“Are we in danger?” I look around as I begin to panic. “Should we even be out tonight?”

“He’s not in the country, but that’s exactly the point. He won’t come near you while ever Val is around.” My eyes hold hers and she squeezes my hand in hers again. “It’s going to be okay, Anna.”

“Maybe I should just get the hell out of here,” I whisper. “Run away and hide.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she whispers. “Where would you go? All that running would do is put both you and the boys in danger.”

“But if they don’t….”

“Yes, we have the vintage.” The waitress interrupts my chain of thought.

“Four bottles please,” Giuliano replies.

“Yes sir.” She nods before disappearing.

“They don’t what?”

“Ladies,” a deep voice purrs from behind us as he pulls out his chair. I glance up to see Valentino sit down, as if running on autopilot, he grabs my chair leg and pulls it toward his with a sharp snap. “What did I miss?”

My stomach flips at the dominance of the act.

Francesca’s eyes meet mine in a what the hell was that?

“Not much.” I fake a smile and with shaky hands take a sip, this champagne is going down far too well.

Jeez….

He and Francesca fall into conversation while I sit silently and soak up his charismatic aura.

His conversation is aimed directly at her and for a long time they talk, it’s obvious he is clearly trying to ignore me. I know he’s acting platonic, but I feel like he’s taking it a bit too far.

Honestly….

He’s being sarcastic and sort of condescending without actually saying anything mean, I can’t explain but I get the feeling something is really off with him.

And yet every time he looks my way I want to fall to my knees for him and pray to the divine gods for his existence.

He’s got me in a chokehold, and he damn well knows it.

Four hours later.

The bar is loud and crowded and it seems I’m out of practice because all I want to do is go home.

Valentino is talking to anyone and everyone and seems to have completely forgotten that I even exist.

Hi Marco,

I’m ready to go now.