Page 324 of Valentino

Tears roll down my face as I stare at his.

But he doesn’t cry, he doesn’t speak, he hardly breathes.

Dawn,

“Okay, I’m on it.” Valentino’s voice echoes through the apartment as he comes up the stairs. “Send the car.” He comes rushing into the bedroom and disappears into the closet.

I lean up onto my elbow, still half asleep. “What’s going on?”

He appears with two suitcases and lays them open on the floor. Walks into the closet, grabs armfuls of my clothes and begins to put them into the suitcases.

“What?” I sit up, suddenly awake. “What are you doing?”

“Packing.”

“What happened last night?” I scratch my head as I look around the darkened bedroom. “I’m so sorry, I fell asleep on you. I don’t know what happened. I just….” Last thing I remember was lying on the couch downstairs.

“You were exhausted, babe. I gave you a sleeping tablet.”

“You did?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Did you sleep at all?”

“Anna.” He’s rushing around the room collecting things. “Get up and shower, sweetheart.”

“Where are we going?” I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed, I’m still woozy. I try my hardest to focus my eyes.

“You’re going to New York.”

“What?” I frown.

“You, Francesca, Olivia, and the children are going to New York.” He keeps packing.

“What?” I screw up my face. “What do you mean?”

“Gabriel Ferrara is going to keep you safe.” He keeps packing. “He’s Giuliano and Enrico’s cousin.”

“Are you coming?”

“Your guards will be going with you.”

I blink. “No.”

“It wasn’t a question, Anna. You are going.”

“I’m not leaving you.” I fly out of bed. “No,” I snap angrily. “I am not leaving you here alone.”

He grabs my two arms. “Listen to me.” His eyes hold mine.

“No.” I fight to get away from him. “You need me here.”

“I need you safe!” he cries as he shakes me. “There were three other shootings yesterday, Anna. All at 3 p.m.”

“What?”

“Olivia was shot at, it’s a miracle the children didn’t get hit. Francesca was shot at. We were shot at.” His hands hold my arms so tight that I can feel them bruising. “Seven of our men were killed yesterday. Seven.”