Page 273 of Valentino

“Fuck you,” I spit. “Get out.”

“It’s only a matter of time before I get him, Anna,” he whispers. “Save yourself while you can.”

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

“Work with me, tell me what you know, and I can ensure that you get into the witness protection program. He will never hurt you again.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I open the door. “Goodbye, Mr. Sartori.” He walks out and I close it behind him with a sharp snap.

Fuck.

I slump into my chair.

My God.

This policeman is deranged. He’s not going to go away without something really bad happening. Either he gets Val, or Val gets him.

Neither outcome is good or conducive to my happiness, both are a literal nightmare.

What the hell am I going to do?

VALENTINO

5:30 p.m.

I turn the key and walk into Anna’s apartment and stop on the spot as I look around at the carnage.

There are boxes, things are strewn everywhere, and I can hear something in the bedroom.

The fuck?

“Anna,” I call.

“In here.” I walk in to see her throwing clothes into open suitcases. Everything she owns is out on the bed.

“How much stuff are you packing?” I ask.

“Everything.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“I’m moving back to Milan…and in with you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“You’ve lost me…. I thought you wanted to stay here in Rome for half of the time.” My eyes roam over the piles of clothes and land on the yeti suit. “I thought you threw that out?”

“You thought you threw it out and anyway that was before.” She dumps a pile of clothes into the suitcase. “Listen here…” she continues.

I widen my eyes. “All ears.”

“Are you going to be a smart-ass or are you actually going to listen to what I’m saying?”

I put my hands into my suit pant pockets and lean onto the doorjamb. “Yes, Anna.” I smirk, when she gets like this there is no reasoning with this woman. “Explain this sudden urgency to move to me.”

“Well.” She keeps folding. “I just want to get our life on the road, you know?”

“On the road?”