Page 77 of Valentino

She’s telling the truth; he did love her. You don’t buy a car worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for someone you’re just fucking. It’s obvious that he’s staying away from her now to keep her safe, but he’s calling me to get inside information on his target, Ferrara.

What a snake….

“So if you know everything about your beloved Carlo, you will know that he asked me to marry him,” I lie.

Shock flashes across her face before she quickly recovers. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?”

“He was already married and deeply in love with me…” she announces.

Something snaps deep inside of me, revealing a gaping hole in my empathy.

“And yet, he spent every night buried deep inside my body.” I fake a smile. “And I’m sure he hated every minute of it.”

Her nostrils flare, I hit a nerve, and shame hits mine, that was a low blow.

She pushes her chair out. “It was a mistake coming here.”

“It was.”

She walks to the door and I don’t know why but I feel the need to warn her. “If Carlo isn’t already dead, it’s only a matter of time until he is.”

With her back to me, she stops.

“You deserved better,” I murmur.

She drops her head. “So did you.”

The door clicks and I’m left alone…to sit with my conscience. She came to me for help and what did I do? I hurt her, what kind of person has he turned me into?

Ring, ring….

“Hello,” I answer.

“I’m out the front of the building,” Valentino replies.

“On my way.” I shut down my computer and pack up my desk, I’m flat.

Flatter than flat, and I know that more than anything I just need to keep my mouth shut and not say anything to anyone.

I make my way down to the foyer and see Valentino standing by the door, the two black SUVS are parked behind his, he’s wearing a perfectly fitted charcoal suit and white shirt. The top buttons are undone revealing a little of his tanned chest. His dark brown hair has a honey hue to it and in typical Valentino style he looks like he just stepped off the catwalk.

“Hi.” I force a smile as I push through the rotating doors.

“Ciao, bella.” He nods as he gestures to the car, seeing his familiar face brings an unwelcome wave of emotion because I just want to blurt out everything, but the truth is, he’d already know. Reason ten thousand why Anna is the village idiot.

Everyone knew exactly what Carlo was like except for me.

He leads me to the car, opens the passenger seat front door and I climb in before he gets behind the wheel.

“How was your day?” He glances over at me as he starts the car.

“Good.” I press my lips together as I try to contain my emotions. “How was yours?”

“Busy.” He turns the corner. “You excited to see your parents tonight?” He glances over to me.

“Not really.” I sigh, dejected.