Page 343 of Valentino

“I won’t.”

“No, I mean it. Nobody.” His eyes hold mine. “Not the girls, not your parents. Not another living soul. You will only put them and yourself in danger. We cannot trust anyone. Ever.”

“Alright.” I nod. “You’re right. Where are the girls?”

“On their way to New York, we’re still in lockdown.” He looks me in the eye. “I think you should go to New York too, Anna. Now more than ever.”

“No,” I reply. “I stay with Valentino, he needs me here. That’s nonnegotiable.”

Valentino gives me the side-eye.

“I’m staying with you,” I announce. “Don’t even start that New York crap. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’ll do as you’re fucking told, Anna,” he mutters dryly.

I smile over at him, because we both know I won’t.

“Send the teams to Sicily,” Val tells them. “We move in today and take them down before he’s found.”

“Got it.”

He pulls the phone out of his pocket and passes it to Giuliano. “Hack into this, see what we find out.”

“Good job.” Giuliano takes it from him and tucks it away.

Romeo holds his jaw and winces, he opens and closes his mouth a few times. “I think you broke my jaw.”

“I hope I did,” Valentino sneers.

Romeo looks over to me and winks, and I roll my lips to hide my smile.

This man is fearless.

“Anna,” Val growls, infuriated. “Upstairs. Now.”

I get into the elevator like a naughty child on her way to the headmaster’s office, we stand to face the front, I glance over to him. “Are you alright?” I say softly.

“Do not talk to me.” He stares straight ahead.

I sigh. “Fine.”

“And do not dare put your life at risk. Ever. Again.”

I give him the side-eye. “I make my own rules.”

“Push me today, Anna. I fucking dare you,” he yells as he completely loses control. “Do. You. Understand. Me.”

I jump at the decibels of his voice. “Yes.”

“Yes what?” he fires back.

“Yes,” I whisper. “I understand.”

The doors open and he strides into the apartment.

I walk in slowly trailing behind.

“Get into the shower,” he spits. “I can fucking smell him on you.”