Page 20 of Valentino

He smiles wistfully. “You are?”

“Of course I am, you fucking idiot.”

He stands and refills his glass. “You trust me then?”

“You know I do.”

“Then I think you should trust my judgement and we should offer Carlo a position in Sicily.”

“It just doesn’t feel right.” I rest my elbows onto my knees as I think it over. “I don’t want to set him up for failure.”

“So we set him up to win.”

Five years later.

Top of the tree, king of the road.

Ferrara is flying.

We won a major coup today, took over a territory that we haven’t had before and have made a record-breaking year.

Ferrara isn’t just surviving with us in charge, it’s thriving. Nine years ago we took on a business that was just holding.

Now, we dominate.

The music in the club is loud and the light machine flashes pink and blue. Packed with beautiful people and the best DJ in town, it’s a great night to celebrate our wins.

Giuliano holds his glass up to mine. “A toast.”

I hold my glass to his.

“To….”

“Hey.” A voice sounds from the side, we both turn to see Carlo.

“Hey.” I laugh, and then I see who’s behind him holding his hand. My heartbeat echoes in slow motion through my body as I stare at her.

Anna.

Giuliano kisses his two cheeks and then kisses Anna, she smiles up at me. “Hi, Val,” she mouths.

If she twisted a knife into my chest it would have hurt less.

My eyes search hers.

“Anna,” Francesca calls across the group, she turns. “Francesca.” She darts off toward her.

My attention turns to Carlo and as my mind scrambles to keep the fuck up, I glare at him, he winks at me.

Something snaps and I grab him by the throat and slam him up against the wall. “I told you. You go near her and you fucking die.”

“I’ve gone more than near her,” he baits me. “I’ve been fucking her for three months.”

Crack!

I slam his head against the concrete wall.

“You’ve got a girlfriend,” he cries. “What do you care?”