Page 43 of Valentino

“Who knows. “She smiles into her coffee. “I’m kind of hoping it does.” She looks me over. “You look hot today.”

I glance down over myself. “All part of my grand plan, Operation Hot Girl.”

“What did Val do when he saw you this morning?”

“You know he’s impossible to read, but he was squirming.”

“I would love to see it.” She smiles over at me. “You know what, we should go and pay the boys a visit at work this afternoon.”

“What?” I frown. “Just turn up there unannounced?”

“Why not, and I’ll be able to check out Valentino and check if he’s checking you out.”

“That’s a lot of checks.” I giggle. “You want to check out Valentino to check if he’s checking me out?”

She laughs too. “Check.”

CARLO

Ring ring….

“Yes,” I answer, I go to stand at the window and look down at the busy street way down below. Cars are small, people are the size of ants. It’s raining, and I watch the tops of umbrellas as they wait to cross the road.

“Anna has arrived at the Ferrara residence,” the voice tells me.

“Which one?” I ask.

“The Milan penthouse.”

“Who’s home?” I ask.

“Giuliano left this morning, and currently at the Ferrara building, I’m assuming just Francesca.”

“What guards does Anna have with her?”

“Dante and Luka.”

I light my cigarette as I listen.

“What do you want me to do?” he asks.

“Stay with her.”

“Okay.”

“Is Valentino still staying at Anna’s place?” I ask.

“Yes.”

The sky turns red as a thermonuclear rage washes over me.

I know what he’s doing…what he plans on doing.

Click, I hang up the phone and throw it full force at the wall.

Like a caged animal, cigarette in hand, rage burning through my soul, I begin to pace.

Soon….