VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“Are you on... “ The nurse trailed off when my bedroom door opened and in walked Carlo and Ravenna. “Go on,” Ravenna said when the nurse continued staring at her. “Right.” The woman adjusted her glasses before turning to face me. “Are you on any sleep medication to help with your insomnia?” “I was on medication, but I stopped. My system got used to it, and it became immune.” “You didn’t try any other medication?” “I figured the same thing would happen, so I didn’t bother.” “And the eating part? Carlo said you didn’t eat well enough. Why’s that?” “Work. I’ve been busy lately.” “It’s unhealthy to skip meals. Your body needs the food to keep going. It wasn’t getting enough, and that’s why you fainted this morning. I’ll prescribe some sleep medications for you so your body gets maximum rest. The sleep medications are for short-term use. You also need vitamins and food. If you can’t cook, get a chef to do that fo
RAVENNA ~~~~~~~ ♤♤♤♤♤ “Before you see her, you need to agree you’re not gonna hurt her,” I said, blocking Valentino’s path to the basement.It had taken hours before the storm had blown over, and during those hours, Valentino had been a raging mess. Even now, he looked murderous. “That fucker’s got my family. Forgive me if I’m not willing to be sensible right now. If she doesn’t cooperate, she’ll force my hand.” “Calm down. I'm also worried about them, but you don't see me losing my shit.” He had gotten a text from one guard that accompanied Jasmine and Sofia that someone had attacked them on their way back from the movies, and Sofia and Jasmine had been kidnapped. With the anger boiling in his eyes, I feared for Alaina and what he might do to her. “You said you didn’t put your hands on women.” “Not when that woman is the only key to finding two of the people I care the most about. Both Sofia and Jasmine might have come at the wrong time,
RAVENNA~~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤♤“Hi, Bradshaw. You didn’t think we forgot about you, did you?” I asked, taking a seat in front of him. He opened his mouth to speak, but words didn’t come out. “What was that? I didn’t catch that.” He spoke again, this time, his mouth widening more than the last time. I turned to Cruz. “Is it just me or Bradshaw is saying something we can’t hear?” “It’s not just you, boss. Why isn’t he speaking up?” “I’d go closer to him, but I’m not risking him biting my ear off. Is something wrong with his throat?” “I think we should call a doctor to check his throat. That’s the only way to know for sure.” “Call a doctor. Whether or not Bradshaw likes it, he’s going to open his mouth and speak.” He wasn’t faking it. That was for sure. It left me wondering what could have happened to him when he was all alone in this building. Half an hour later, the doctor Cruz called strolled in. “Who needs the check-up?” “Bradshaw.
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“This doesn’t look like anyone is here,” Cruz said, walking around the front of the car to stand next to me. “He said he’s inside. He’s probably up in his apartment,” I said, moving towards the slightly ajar gate. “I have a bad feeling about this,” Cruz said as we made our way into the warehouse. “Relax. It’s just Drake.” I made a beeline for the stairs that led to his apartment. I knocked on the door several times, but there was no reply from inside. “I think we should get the fuck out of here. If someone’s in here, there has to be movement inside. No one is in here.” I distinctly recalled Alaina punching in the code to the apartment the first time we came up here together. I moved my fingers over the numbers, hoping I didn’t get it wrong. Luckily, I got it right, and I opened the door, walking into the dark apartment. There was a blur of movement in front of me, but before I could pull out my phone to turn on the flash
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“I know you’re in there, Aria. Open the damn door.” When I got no reply, I turned to Carlo and Ryder. “Are you sure you two got the address right?” “Yes, boss. Maybe she’s not around,” Carlo suggested. I knocked a few more times, and after several minutes, we heard movement coming from inside. “What do you want, Tino?” Aria asked, standing in the open doorway. “I have something to ask you.” Folding her arms, she scoffed. “Yeah right. I’m not answering any of your questions.” “Let me rephrase that. I’m going to ask you a few questions, and you’re going to answer me.” “And what will you do if I don’t answer?” “Did I give you the idea that you had a choice? Fiore is no longer in control of the family funds. He no longer pays for the booze and pills you drown in, the lavish apartments, trips to the spa, shopping. Do I need to go on and on, or you’re getting an idea of what I’m saying?” “Come in,” she said, pulli
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“It didn’t escape my notice that you ate nothing. Are you sick?” I asked, startling Ravenna, who was cleaning up her kitchen. “You actually noticed that when you and Drake were glaring at each other all night? Shocking,” she drawled, returning to wiping down the counters. “I was staring at Alaina. He grew overprotective. Sue me.” “The answer to who and where her mother is will not be slapped on her face,” Ravenna said with amusement. It was surprising that she knew what had been on my mind while I’d been staring at Alaina. She was the only one who could disclose her mother’s whereabouts, and she was proving stubborn. “I got the who part figured out. I’m more worried about the where part.” “Really? Who’s her mother?” “She used to work for your mother. Aria said to ask Leonardo, but I have no way of reaching him.” “So you need my help,” Ravenna concluded. I nodded my agreement. “I do.” “I’m afraid I can’t
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“Are you two sure you don’t need some security with you? I know I said he doesn’t have many guards here, but you can never be too sure,” Aria said, her heels crunching on the gravel as we walked up the driveway. “We’re fine,” Valentino answered. “I just hope for your sake, this isn’t a trap.” “If it were a trap, I wouldn’t be here with you. I’d just give you the address and hang back at my house. Quiet down.” Aria pressed the doorbell, and we heard someone gasp from inside. Someone was close to the door. I met Valentino’s eyes, and he gave a single nod, confirming my thoughts. “Open it,” I mouthed to Aria, pulling out my gun. Aria twisted the handle, but it didn’t budge. “It’s locked,” she whispered before the cries of a baby filled the air. Valentino nudged Aria to the side, yanking on the doorknob. “Sofia, is that you?” He asked. Louder cries filled the house as we heard someone unlock the door. “Who the fuck are y
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧I came to a halt when I found Fiore on a chair, Ilda on her knees next to him with his gun pointed at her head. Where the hell was Leonardo? “Surprised to see me here this early? I know I’m an hour early, so why don’t we get this meeting started?” He asked, his lips curling up in a sly smile. “Please, Tino. Just give him whatever he wants. I don’t want him to kill me,” Ilda wailed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She had bruises around her neck and on her arms. They looked new, which meant he took her recently. “I’m giving you one last chance to come with me, son. There is no going back. Staying on Ravenna’s side will only lead to your death.” “This isn’t only about Ravenna. This is about me, Ciro, Sofia, Aria, and all other people you’ve caused pain. Do you know the shit you put Aria through?” “Not enough, seeing as she was still chasing your dick about. What? Did she finally give you her pussy? Is that why you’re tak