by Aliyah Burke
It was what she had asked her friend when she’d been at Annapolis. Meaning was there anything the other could do for them. “Yes.”
“Name it.”
“Don’t come to the funeral.”
“No way.”
“Jaydee, it’s not safe.”
“I don’t care. I will be there. Gio will be home with the kids.”
Lexy heard his roar of disagreement and winced. “Please, stay far away from me.”
“Do you remember when I was allowed to leave Annapolis and went to a restaurant?”
She nodded then, realizing her friend wasn’t with her, said, “I remember.”
“What happened?”
“Three guys wanted to get to know you better.”
Valentino had a furrow between his brow as he unabashedly listened to her side of the conversation.
“They did. And I called you. What did you do?”
“Drove like a bat out of hell to get there.”
“Why?”
“Because you needed me.” Lexy sighed, exasperated—Jaydee’s silence was telling. “You can’t, Jay. This is different.”
“How so? I was in danger and you came. You’re in danger, why wouldn’t I come.”
It was never a question with Jaydee. But it tore her heart out to think of what could happen to Jaydee if she came.
“You have children.”
Lexy could see Jaydee tilting her head as she tried to figure out what the hell that had to do with anything.
“Please, Jay. Stay there and be safe. I have Val here to keep me safe, even if he is a gigantic pain in my ass.”
She had the snootiness in her tone as usual when she picked on Val, in hope that Jaydee wouldn’t sense how things had morphed between them. In her periphery, she saw him lift his eyebrows at her. She cocked hers right back. It wasn’t a lie—he was a pain in her ass.
“Still not getting along with him?”
“We tolerate one another. Putting a damper on my sex life having a husband who sleeps in a different room than I do.”
“You do know I’ve known you long enough to pick up on inflections in your tone, right?”
She gulped. “What’s your point, Jay?”
“Do you remember how you yelled at me about Gio and compartmentalizing everything?”
“I do. But it had to be said, you were about to lose a wonderful man. All you had to do was take a chance.”
“And this has to be said.”
“What are you—?”
“Hush, you rude cow, and listen.”
Lexy did as told. That was the one woman in the world who could say such a thing to her and get away with it.
“Whatever you have—get away from me, Gio, this is important. Go. Leave me alone. Yes, yes, fine, I’ll have her give the phone back to your brother when I’m done. Go away! Anyway. Whatever this thing you are sharing with Valentino, don’t let him go just because that was the original agreement. I know the two of you have been seeing each other since that first night.”
“I think you’re sniffing some glue.”
“Don’t even try it. I saw you that first night down by the lake with him. I got up to get a drink.”
“Shit,” she muttered.
“My point being, Lexy, is that there is something between the two of you. If you would stop picking pointless arguments with him you’d see what I’m talking about.”
“It’s much easier to fight, Jay.” She rubbed the back of her neck.
“And sometimes it’s best not to.” A door shut. “I imagine he’s near so I’ll ask this so you can answer with yes or no replies.” A slight silence. “It is more than just sex for you.”
“That’s not a question,” she said trying to throw her off track.
“You’re deflecting.”
She licked her lips and swung her leg over the edge. “Yes.”
“It’s changed and morphed into something more. At least on your end.”
“Yes.” Damn, how did this woman know her so well?
“But it’s just easier to fall back on fighting with him all the time than take two seconds to admit your feelings.”
“Definitely.”
“Do you know he doesn’t feel the same?”
“No, but it’s pretty clear.”
“You think so? He doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve. He’s the most contained of all the Cassano men. And you know there’s an issue in his past that is affecting his ability to voice his feelings.”
“You’re in support of him.”
“No, I’m in support of the two of you. You’re good for one another. Anyone can see that.”
Laughter bubbled out and she cleared her throat as she tried to calm down. “Really? How do you figure that?”
“I’m not a fool, Lexy. It’s all through your voice and how the two of you look at one another when you think no one is watching. Others probably don’t see it, but I do. So, this is what we’re going to do. I will stay here and you will be honest with yourself about Valentino.”
“You’re blackmailing me?”
“That’s one way of looking at it.”
Lexy narrowed her gaze and shook her head. “I fail to see how to look at it any other way, Jay.”
“Not my problem.”
She made a fist a few times and fought the urge to curse aloud. “Fine. You have a deal.”
“Good. Now put him on the phone—his brother is about to lose it for needing to talk to him again. Love you, Lexy.”
“Love you too, Jaydee. Give my godbabies hugs and kisses from me.”
“Always.”
Lexy stared at the phone and chucked it at Valentino who caught it and put it to his ear. As he talked to Gio, she walked away, needing to think a bit. Alone. Be honest with herself. She had been. Hadn’t she?
I admitted I was in love with the man. That’s being honest with myself. Granted I shoved that knowledge into a tiny dark hole and am doing my damnedest to suck the life out of it, but I was totally honest with myself. So, I’ve done what she wanted me to and now I can go on with everything and not worry about her.
Not like that would happen—until this was over, she was fearful for the entire family. Walking along the perimeter of the party, she smiled at people and pretended to be having a wonderful time. Once she was across from Valentino, she stopped and leaned against a tree, hooking her ankles as she gazed over the gathering.
Most everyone here was one of her friends. The thought of them being hurt pissed her off as well. A shadow overtook her and she looked up to see Val standing there, his face an unreadable mask.
“Yes?”
“What did you and Jaydee talk about?”
“Not your business.”
A tic appeared in his jaw. “Lexy.”
She shook her head. “You heard everything I said to her. Why? Did I break some kind of code?”
His nostrils flared and he backed away from her. “Forget it.”
“That’s right. Forget it. Now paste a smile on your face and let’s finish this.”
She knew he wasn’t happy, though she didn’t know why. Surely he couldn’t know that she’d told Jaydee that Eugene wasn’t truly dead. Then again, this is Valentino, so maybe he does know.
Slipping her hand into the back pocket of his jeans, they walked back to where the party continued. She could feel her head beginning to pound and wanted to get away from everything, but she knew she had to wait.
Valentino approached her a few hours later and wrapped his arms around her waist. He dipped his head and nipped the shell of her ear. Damn her traitorous body, it responded and she found herself pressing back into him.
“I can’t thank all of you enough for holding this for us, but I think I’m going to steal my wife away now and take her home.”
Those gathered all gave him cheers and thumbs up. Before she could speak, he swept her up in his arms and carried her away from the water, up to where his truck sat.
“You can put me dow
n,” she said after they were out of hearing distance.
“I could. Maybe I like having you in my arms.”
“And possibly pigs fly out of my ass.”
“Just can’t ever not let the bitch slip out, can you?” He set her down and unlocked the doors.
“She only pops out in response to the bastard.”
Lexy turned to get in the truck only to stop when he slapped his hand on the frame, stopping her. She skimmed her tongue along her teeth but didn’t turn back, just waited.
“I was being nice.” His words were clipped.
“Of course you were,” she drawled. In the back of her mind she knew she shouldn’t go down this road. They were supposed to be working together, not at each other’s throats.
“What the fuck is your problem, Alexsa?”
“Are we going back to the house?” she asked as calmly as she could manage.
“Are you going to answer my fucking question?”
“Sure. All this lovey-dovey shit you do is not easy for me. I’m the one who has to face them after you leave. Try to come up with answers as to what happened between us when it appeared we were ‘so in love’,” she sneered.
His other hand gripped her hip as he pressed all along her back with his hard body. “Who was the one who said it had to be real?”
“You’re the one who came in spouting that shit. Not me.” Lord, he was hard—his cock obvious against her lower back.
“So why did you insist on it being real?”
She whirled around and glared at him, her frustration leaking out. “Because I didn’t think you’d take me up on it.”
His hazel eyes grew molten. “Tough shit. I did.” He lowered his face to hers and whispered, “Which makes you mine.”
“I’m not yours, Valentino. Don’t make that mistake.”
The grin was feral and dangerous. “Yes. You. Are.”
“No, you still belong to that damn woman you’re unable to let go of and I’ll be damned if I belong to a man who is in love with someone else.” Her words ended on an octave higher than her voice typically was. She jerked his hand away and jumped in. “Take me home.” Lord help her, the tears were dangerously close to sliding free. What the hell was wrong with her?
His face grew cold and he slammed her door before getting in on his side. Neither spoke a word on the way back. Upon entrance into her house, they went separate ways. No words spoken between them and she could feel the chasm growing wider still.
“What the hell do I care?” she asked herself as she showered before bed. “He can be in love with whomever he wants.”
Unfortunately it wasn’t that simple. They might be bad for each other but damn if she didn’t love him with all her heart. There were glimpses she got of the man beneath the cover he had adopted. And that was who she’d fallen for. This shit was tearing her apart.
There was a message from Jaydee on her phone when she got to bed. It was simple, telling her to listen to a song, so she purchased it and put in her earphones. Tomorrow by Chris Young. A country song she never would have gotten on her own but since Jaydee had suggested it, she listened.
The lyrics were her and Valentino’s situation exactly. She replayed it a few times then fell asleep with the words echoing in her mind.
Chapter Fifteen
The night air flowed around him, giving off small swirls and bursts of something cooler. It felt wonderful against his skin. It had been a long day. An extremely long one. Stressful as well. He pivoted on the side of the bed and stared at the woman slumbering there in the light of a flameless candle. His wife. Alyssa lay like an angel, her hands folded beneath her chin.
He reached out and smoothed back some of her golden-blonde hair. Her green eyes opened and she gave him a soft smile.
“Hey,” she muttered. She gave a cute little yawn. “What’s wrong?” She began to sit. “Is it—?”
He restricted her movement. “Stay. Nothing’s wrong.”
“You’re awake, Valentino, something must be.” Her Argentinean accent thickened. She shifted along the satin sheets. “What time is it?”
“A bit after midnight.”
She turned a little, the light reflecting off her sparkly pink nightgown. It stopped mid-thigh on her and showed off her long legs, smoothed all over by a beautiful tan that he’d found out went all over her body. When she sunbathed, she did so naked. His cock stirred in his pants. Reaching with one hand, she captured his hand and twined their fingers, her wedding ring—a gold band—and the engagement ring with diamonds and gold adding their own glitter to the room.
“So, then, why is my husband awake watching me as opposed to sleeping beside me? Is it work? Do you have to leave?” Her fingers tightened around his.
“No. I don’t have to leave. I have been thinking about that.” A lot actually and now was as good a time as any to share it with her. His gaze focused on her full breasts.
“Up here, husband.”
An unrepentant shrug. “Two of my favorite things to play with,” he said with a smile.
“Stop joking around and tell me.”
“What would you think, or feel, if I quit my job?”
She stopped stroking him and sat up, shoving her other hand through the straight strands of her hair. Eyes wide, she moved her mouth a few times.
“What?”
He gave her a soft smile. “Hear me out, Alyssa. You’ve lived in Argentina your entire life. This is your first time in the United States. The job I have now, it will keep me away for long periods of time and it’s dangerous.” He crawled closer and pressed numerous kisses on her face.
She trembled and gripped his shoulders. “You would quit for us?”
“Baby, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. Or Marco. If I’m in a cardboard box with you and him, I’m fine. That’s all I need.”
She grinned and caressed his chest. “I lived in a shack. I know we just got here, but I like this house. So if it is okay with you, I’d like to keep it.”
“You can keep it,” he promised. “It would be an adjustment about the job, but…” He paused, lifting his head. Something felt off.
Her palms graced his cheeks, redirecting his attention to her. “You don’t need to quit, Valentino. I know how much you love what you do.”
His heart swelled. How lucky was he to have such an understanding wife. “I love you more.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You need to stay with your job.”
Her adamant response was a bit of a surprise. He shook his head. “I’ll find something else.” Another sound—also out of place—reached him and he began to back away from Alyssa, instincts yelling a warning. Her grip tightened and she pressed her lips to his.
“I’ll be right back.” He placed her away from him.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, voice louder than it had been.
“Shh.” He pushed off the bed and moved to the door, swiping his sidearm from the dresser on his way. One step from the room and he leaned back in. “Stay here.”
Chambering a round, he moved silently on the balls of his feet down the hall of the house he’d just signed on less than a month ago. Their items were still in boxes. He continued to creep, noting the nightlight that had been on when he went to bed no longer offered any illumination.
The bulb shouldn’t have burned out, it was brand new.
Every synapse and nerve cried out for him to be careful. There were people in his house. Mentally berating himself for lowering his vigilance, he drew up at the first door, held for a moment then snuck in. Weapon at the ready, he cleared the room. Empty.
Same process took him toward his son’s room. One room away he was just about to open the door when a man slammed into him and the force of it drove him back into the banister. Then through it.
They landed hard. Valentino, on the bottom, took the brunt of it. Their combined weight crashed them through the antique pedestal table he had—it shattered beneath him, some of the wood impaling his bare back. I
t took a few moments for him to regain his breath. His gun…gone.
The man upon him recovered sooner and wrapped his hands about Valentino’s neck. Cracked and jagged nails ripped into his flesh as the intruder fought to cut off his breath. Valentino swore and tears burned his eyes. Jamming his hands up, he knocked the attacker’s hands from his neck and punched him in the throat. Still seeing stars from the fall, he lunged up and followed the man, pressing him back. Noise from above reached him and he heard Marco’s cry.
Ice sank into his veins. With a wrench, Valentino broke the man’s neck and ran for the stairs then up. Alyssa’s scream jerked him to a halt. Stopping saved his life, for a shotgun blast ripped through the door of his son’s room. More splinters pierced his skin, courtesy of his proximity to the blast and how fast the projectiles moved.
An overwhelming need to protect Alyssa slammed him, but he went for Marco first. All he saw as the door flew back at his kick was the eerie green glow from a pair of night vision goggles. Fury doused him like a torrential downpour and he flew at the person.
Limbs intertwined as he fought to subdue this man. After wrestling the man’s knife from the sheath, which dug into Valentino’s leg, he shoved it deep up into the man’s head, entering from the underside of the jaw.
Numerous windows blew in the house—he could hear them all over. “Marco!” he called, launching himself toward the crib. Shards of glass cut into the soles of his feet as he shoved his hands into the bed his boy had been in. Nothing. His boy was gone.
“Valentino!”
Alyssa! Whirling, he winced as the pieces embedded themselves deeper. Then he ran. Her cry had come from outside—still, he ran to the bedroom for another weapon. The house was silent as far as any electrical hum. Power had been cut.
He dashed into the bedroom and…crack! He crumpled to the ground as maniacal laughter trailed along the edges of the darkness threatening to overtake him. Valentino fought it with everything in him. He knew if he wanted a chance, he had to stay awake. Had to refuse to succumb.
The thump of whatever he’d been hit with landing upon the carpeted bedroom floor had him nearly tense, and he made himself forcibly relax. If they thought him unconscious he had a better chance. His blood dripped on the sky-blue carpet Alyssa had picked after staring at samples for nearly one full day.
