Page 55 of Valentino

His eyes hold mine as he listens.

“I mean, clearly we weren’t as serious as you and Giovanna.”

He bristles at the mere mention of her name.

Silence….

Eventually I break it. “You know that it wasn’t your fault that she died.”

“We both know that’s a lie,” he replies, void of emotion.

I nod, unsure what to talk about next because everything I say seems to trigger him.

“And for the record, what Carlo told you about not shooting Giovanna was a complete lie. He did it, we have proof that the bullet was from his gun.”

“Do you think he’s coming back here?” I ask.

“I don’t think he ever left.”

I frown. “Am I in danger?”

“Not while I’m around.”

I watch him eat; he chews slowly as if his mind is somewhere else, and on something else.

“Is that why you’re staying with me?”

“Yes.” He cuts into his chicken. “And we need to have this conversation, so I guess now is as good as time as any…if something happens….”

“Like what?” I cut him off. “What would happen?”

“If Carlo does manage to get you alone, I want you to play into his hands.”

“What do you mean?” I frown.

“The biggest part of Carlo is his ego,” he says casually as he continues eating. “I need you to use that against him.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Pretend that you want him and do everything he asks of you. We will get to you, but you need to buy your time while you wait to be rescued.”

My eyes search his. “Why would I do that?”

“Because it will save your life.”

“I don’t think he would ever hurt me.”

His eyes hold mine. “You honestly believe that?”

“I know it for certain.” I shrug.

“Okay.” He drops his knife and fork with a clang and stands in such a rush the chair nearly tips over.

What?

“What are you doing?” I stammer.

He scrapes his full plate of food into the trash.