The moment our drunken eyes meet, I keep on blinking flashes of Giulio in my mind. It’s as if he’s the one on top of me, not Bryce. He’s the one smiling down with his perfectly sculpted face and toned muscles I want to run my hands down. That lower lip I want to erotically tug before kissing him like he’ll never forget. Those alluring eyes I want to never lose sight of as I devour him.
Giulio.
That’s who I want right now in his drunken state.
“I think I’m too far gone to answer that.”
McCarson bites his lip when he catches me staring at his hand tattoo. “You like the ink?”
I shrug.
“Don’t leave me hanging. Do you like it, babe?”
I giggle. “I’m not your babe…and still deciding.”
“Fuck the decisions,” he whispers in a chuckle and drops his lips to my neck. They hover over my hot skin, silently asking for permission. “Sometimes you’ve just gotta live in the moment.” His unsolicited kisses evoke a thrilling sensation as they trail down my neck to my collarbone. It’s there where he swirls the tip of his tongue and bites down with a playful growl. “Let me help you move on.”
No.
We’ve taken this too far.
The alcohol buzzes inside me. “No, I…”
My hands shove at his chest, needing him off of me. Bryce backs up to study me for a moment. I’m not sure what he sees in me, but adrenaline kicks in when he lowers his body on mine again. It leaves me to rest to my hands above my head and that gives him gives him the upper hand.
Bad move.
My thoughts of Giulio must have provided the silence he mistook as a ‘yes.’
“Bryce, please get off me.”
“Forget all about Giulio tonight. You don’t deserve a man who doesn’t stand by you.”
“No.”
His rough beard grazes against my soft skin. That spicy bergamot has my stomach churning. I need him off. I don’t want to forget all about Giulio.
Bryce is still by my neck, roughly kissing my fragile skin. His hands remain away from my body, but this is still too much. I don’t want it and if he was sober enough, he would notice it. But he’s too far gone and so am I.
“Please, stop. Don’t ruin our progress.”
“This would improve our progress.”
Why can nobody see us?
I flutter my eyes open to tears spilling and whimper against his kisses against my skin. Thrashing my limbs does nothing. I shove his shoulders, but still, he doesn’t budge.
“Maybe you want this, babe. Deep down you want this with another man,” he says, all while I’m shaking my head. “You do. I know you do. You deserve better. Tell me the word and we’ll forget about everything else.”
This can’t be happening.
I should have never stayed. I shouldn’t have drunk this much.
I am about to protest further when Bryce is violently yanked off of me. The distant music falls off key and then stops altogether. The chatter dies down and I finally summon the strength to sit up to observe the scene.
“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?” Giulio has Bryce in a headlock against the wall. His roar is so distressed the entire bar turns to look. My vision blurs and it takes a second to see clearly. I can just make out the pulsing veins in his neck in my dizzy haze.
I think I’m going to be sick.
“Nothing.” Bryce has the audacity to laugh it off. “I wanted to show Valencia what she’s missing, but she’s still hung up on ya.”
It all happens so fast. Blood sprays between them and the confidence dissolves from McCarson’s face. Giulio punches Bryce again and an unpleasant groan escapes the Englishman, who attempts to retaliate, only to be slammed against the wall once again, his head crashing against the tiles.
“That’s what you get for touching my family.” Giulio grits, gripping the collar of his worker’s bloodied jean jacket to emphasize his point. “What did you do to her? HEY! I said what DID YOU DO TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE?”
The love of his life.
“Fuck, man! I think ya broke my nose!”
“I will break every single bone in your body. What the fuck did you do?”
The middle-aged bartender rushes towards both men. Acting as a barrier, he turns to Giulio with an irritated look. “Ya better leave and I advise ya to never step foot in here again.”
“Are you seriously taking his side—”
“Giulio,” I call out, my cry a small plea. “Please can you…”
There is nothing more I want than to leave this place.
I can still smell the lingering bergamot against my skin when Giulio nears me. His entire composure breaks at the sight. When his secure hands pull me into a gentle embrace, it doesn’t feel strange or foreign, it feels like home. My salvation.
“It’s okay. I’m here. You’re safe. You’re safe with me.”
“Giulio…I’m sorry.”
Our prolonged touch and vigorously beating hearts is all I need to know I’ll be okay.
I breathe in Giulio’s husky smell and it transports me to a place of comfort. A place beyond my spinning head and clouded vision. Giulio is right here. He came for me. He found me. In this moment, he’s all I need.
“None of this is your fault. Please never think something like this can be your fault. Ever.” Giulio tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, softening his gaze before the only lips I’ll ever love meet my forehead. “You’re coming home with me, darling.”
Giulio
The bastard knew exactly what placing his hands on my wife would do to me. This is it. The final straw. Nobody fucking touches Valencia. Nobody fucks with my family. This is personal and he will get everything coming his way.
After receiving a call from Helena stating Valencia had asked her to pick up the twins but still hadn’t returned after six long hours, I backtracked every movement. Marcus told me she mentioned meeting Bryce at The Red Tavern and I immediately sensed something was wrong, especially when all my calls went to her voicemail.
Lance offered to collect the twins from my sister-in-law and look after them at my house since it’s my custody night. I needed to be the one to find Valencia. As I enter my house now, Lance’s jaw drops at the sight of us; a passed out Valencia in my arms, bridal style. That manila folder…it’s somewhere on the ground, between my Porsche and the door exiting the garage.
This is going to be a night I’ll never forget.
“Giulio…I’m sorry.”
I hold onto her tighter. This is one of the first times in months that we’ve been this close. I surrender to her. I need her, just as much as she needs me. Her vanilla scent reminds me of a time when life was tranquil. Not this nightmare.
“None of this is your fault. Please never think something like this can be your fault. Ever.” I sweep her soft waves behind her ear and soften my gaze. My lips gravitate to her and I kiss her forehead. “You’re coming home with me.”
“I br-brought him a folder and was helping him. I didn’t expect him to…”
“Do we need to file his sexual misconduct as sexual harassment or sexual assault?”
She shakes her head, sobbing. “No. I don’t want to deal with th-the police again.”
“Let’s take it slow. Can you tell me what happened?”
I can hear Bryce shuffling behind us, speaking with the bartender. I’m not a violent man, but Bryce brought me to another level tonight. I want to finish him. Right here. This time with my words. But Valencia is my priority. I need to take care of her first.
Valencia tells me everything in detail. Twice she stops and I accompany her into the bathroom. I rub her lower back and hold her hair back when she throws up.
The first time we return, Bryce is gone.
The second time, the whole place is shutting down early.
Valencia tells me she feels better after emptying her stomach, however, I know it’s not over. She’s still tipsy. I get her a water, shove the damn manila folder between
my belt and dress shirt, and scoop her in my arms. She falls asleep as I slip her into my car. Her Jeep is parked in front of mine. I’ll collect it tomorrow—after I hunt down Bryce McCarson and treat him like the coward he is.
“What happened, man?”
“Bryce McCarson happened. You should have seen him.”
Lance brushes a hand over his light crew cut, before locking the front door and rushing by my side to ensure I can make it up the stairs with her. Of course I can. If this was any other occasion I would be rejoicing that she’s in my arms and this close to me…
Not tonight.
I’m beyond pissed off.
I should’ve got there quicker.
Lance weaves past us at the landing to open the door to my bedroom. I can always count on him. He was my best man and my closest friend since we attended the Washington State University together, which is also why I hired him as my project manager at Notti Designs after we graduated.
Valencia whimpers in my arms as I lay her on what used to be our bed. Her peaceful expression crumbles. Those full lips I used to kiss press together in silent protest.
Oh, Dio.
Half asleep, she doesn’t let me go and I don’t want her to. My body relaxes when her hands slither around my shoulder blades and she pulls me into her hair. It drives me deeper into her, into everything I once had.
Valencia needs me tonight. I know more than ever not to ruin it.
No talk of Addilyn.
No talk of Bryce.
Just comfort.
“What did he do?”
I do my best to brief Lance with my turned head. “Almost sexually assaulted her—actually, it was more than that. Not one fucking person in there intervened. I asked and they thought they were a couple. Can you believe that? Marcus saved me on this one. If it wasn’t for him…I would not have known where to look.”
His eyes widen. “Did McCarson…?”
“The bastard was close.”
“Oh, shit! I’m sorry, man. Did you manage to speak to him?”
“He left before I had the chance to. They were both drunk. Bryce had her pinned down, non-consensually kissing her neck and attempting to convince her that she deserves better than me. My first reaction was to pull him off and punch him in the face. Fuck. I’m losing my mind. I could have done more. I should have done more.”
“You did what you could, Giulio.”
“But what if my best isn’t good enough?” I shake my head, causing Valencia’s arms to fall. No. Hold onto me, baby.
She stirs in her sleep and curls into fetal position. I loathe her wine stained dress and the whiff of Bryce I get from her.
How dare he fucking touch my girl?
Yes.
My girl.
Rising from the bed, I walk to where Lance is standing but can’t look away from Valencia Giannotti. I’m too worked up. Too preoccupied something will happen to her even if I blink. “I was in London on a business trip the night Addilyn was abducted. Tonight, I was too late…”
“Hey, look at me.” Lance levels with me. “Don’t blame yourself for something you can’t control. You weren’t the bystander; I imagine you put him in his place. There’s nothing more you could have done. Nothing at all. It’s okay, Giulio. Valencia needs you right now. She needs your comfort and strength. Be there for her. Be the real man that you are.”
A long breath escapes me. “You’re right. I needed that. Thank you.”
“You’ll both get through this.” Lance nods, squeezing my tense shoulder. “It’ll all be okay. Oh, and the twins were good. Slonne was having trouble sleeping. I hope you don’t mind I made her a hot chocolate.”
It draws a smile to my lips. “No, I don’t mind you practicing your fathering skills.”
Lance chuckles softly, careful not to disturb Valencia. “The more practice, the better. Right? If my future children are anything like Slonne or Oscar, then life will be a breeze.”
“Don’t speak too fast,” I advise him when we make our way to the front door. “I still have a few years to determine that. Elementary can be a breeze but Valencia’s taught the older years and they say high school is when you truly understand your children’s demons.”
“Well, in that case, how about this…” He slides on his work boots and bites back a smirk. Ladies and Gents, here comes the real Lance. “Whenever I have children, I’ll grow them up until the end of middle school, give them to you during the demon stage, and you hand them back a week before graduation. You know, just to show I actually was a part of their lives.”
“Ahem…sorry, do I know you? Who are you again?”
“Wow. I see how it is. Thanks for helping a brother out.”
It feels incredible to laugh in the middle of this unrest. “Anytime.”
“In all seriousness, I’m at your disposal if you want me to get a hold of Bryce.”
My lips twitch upwards. “I appreciate it, but I should be the one to do it.”
“All good. Night, man.”
“Goodnight, and thank you for everything tonight.”
I’m back in the bedroom the moment Lance’s car fades into the night. Soundlessly, I lie beside Valencia who’s still passed out on top of the sheets and pull her head to my chest. My fingers weave through her soft hair. It’s something I always used to do that calmed her.
It isn’t until after one o’clock in the morning, after checking on the twins numerous times and updating Helena, that I return to find her awake. Valencia sits at the end of the bed, head bowed with her fists gripping the hem of her dress.
I stop at the doorframe. “How are you feeling?”
“Like a winery.”
“I should have been there.”
“It’s okay. I feel sick. I think I’m going to…faint.” She launches up to stand, only to lose her balance and tumble back. Stabilizing her fall on the bed, I aid her hands and create a small divide between our bodies with my propped up forearms, laying all my weight off her.
Those flawless hazel eyes blink up at me, the ones I promised to devote my entire life to. Now they brim with tears, while the rest of her sinks into my touch.
“You’re not alone in this, okay? I’m here.”
“I know you are.”
“Then trust me when I say Bryce isn’t worth it.”
A sense of desperation consumes me. I don’t know if she can see or feel it in her drunken state, but it’s there. This isn’t Valencia. I can count on one hand the number of times she drank this much since the day I met her.
Did he put something in her drink?
There’s a darkness in my heart. A seeping wound. It eases a fraction when she tells me she saw every one of her drinks hit the table and Bryce didn’t spike anything. His name slipping from her tongue ruins me. He ruins me. Hell, this entire situation does.
“I’m su-such a—” she hiccups, struggling to find the words to say, “—an idiot.”
“No, you’re not.”
“I am. You sa-said in the billboard that I’m enough, but I’m no-not. I can’t be.”
I draw her hands to mine and kiss them. Slowly. There’s a weight in me. One so strong I don’t even have in me to correct her on the fact she said billboard instead of letter. I only hope she’s been reading the handbook I sent her.
The weight has me lowering her hands away and warming the coldness by the small of her back with my touch. “You are enough. Being you is enough.”
Valencia stares up at me, biting her lip. Her eyes are dull and tired. Although she slept for a few hours, it’s not enough to restore her. When she cups my jaw and brushes her thumb over my rough stubble, I swear all the air is sucked out of me.
How can I breathe when this is the first time she’s voluntarily touched me in months?
I can’t act as if it doesn’t affect me when it’s so obvious it does.
Her delicate touch is potent. The way her hand slips away to the nape of my neck and teases its way down to my dress shirt…Holy hell. When she st
ruggles to undo the third button, I snap back to reality. It’s as far as I’ll let it go and I clasp her wrist to stop her movement.
“Please…” she softly whispers, “I don’t want to feel him.”
I know you don’t, darling.
“We can go about this another way.”
I have to admit I’m relieved to breathe in her sweet scent, it’s the same perfume on my dresser. It reels me in deeper, urging me to protect her from anybody who plans to hurt me by going through her.
I help Valencia to her feet and we stand there in the middle of the bedroom in the middle of this sexual tension. The way she’s looking at me…the way I’m feeling…shit.
“Giulio.”
“Yes, darling?”
In her drunken state, Valencia steps closer to me until our bodies are flush. So many things rush through my head. One stands out. The desire that burns in her eyes and how it makes my entire body throb. I should look away. I should avert this conversation…But my heart wins.
“Make me forget him. Make love to me.”
For. The. Love. Of. God.
My heart picks up speed and I’m left parting my lips. I want nothing more than to hold her. To make this right. To sink into her after all this time. But I am not going to touch her. Not until she is sober. Not until we resolve all of our issues and sex is something we both crave.
Not until she wants me again like I want her.
“I can give you everything but that tonight. You’re under the influence, Valencia.”
Although that didn’t stop one fucker.
“Fine.” She sniffles, reeking of wine. “A shower.”
“It’s not the best idea while drunk.”
She frowns. “I don’t want him on me.”
Dio.
“I’m scared that you’ll fall and god forbid break something.” I brush her hair away from her neck, mentally kicking myself that he was right there. I’m somber for her. For everything she endured. “Okay, fine. You can shower, but I’ll wait outside the door just in case you need me. Call out if you need help.”
Valencia smiles weakly. “Giulio?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Thank you for always being a gentleman.”
Merciful Vows: A Bittersweet Second Chance Romantic Suspense (The Giannotti World Book 1) Page 11
