VALENTINO
~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“What are you doing in here, Paul?” I asked as I walked into my kitchen. I took off my jacket, placing it on a stool.“I was dreading making a call to you, so I grew some balls and come see you for myself,” he replied. “You’re just in time. I made you something to eat.”I went to the sink to wash my hands before returning to the table.“You were dreading making a call to me because you finally told me the truth about my mother.”He placed a plate of Lo mein in front of me. “You’ll have to hit the gym with this one.”I took a bite of the noodles. “Tastes good. I didn’t know you could cook.”He took a seat at the other end of the table. “I didn’t always come from money, you know. I couldn’t splash thousands of dollars on food at a pricey restauRAVENNA ~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“Boss, she’s refused to eat anything for almost a week now. She also refused to tell us more about that Sawyer guy.” I heard a voice I was already accustomed to say from outside the room they kept me in. “Is that so? Open the door,” Eamon said. The door got unlocked and Eamon walked in, but I was too tired to sit up on the bed. He walked to the side of the bed so he could look at my face. “Why are you punishing yourself?” He asked, taking a seat on the armchair placed next to the bed. “I am not punishing myself. You insisted on keeping me here.” “Only because you refused to say anything about Sawyer. I already told you. They took my family heirloom, and it’s very important to me.” “You must be out of your mind if you think I’m gonna tell you anything. If you’re go
The next time I woke up, I was on a bed. I tried to sit up, but a muscular arm pushed me down on the bed. “Stop being so stubborn and get some more rest,” Valentino said. I turned my head to side to find sitting on the bed with a laptop on his thighs. “It wasn’t a dream. You really came.” He closed his laptop, placing it on the nightstand next to him. “I did. I think you have a penchant for getting yourself into trouble, and I’m always left saving your ass.” “Not true. The time my men’s house got burnt, you didn’t come to help me, did you?” “There are some certain things you need to take care of yourself or you won’t be able to stand on your own.” “Not that I’m complaining, but you’re always the one coming to my rescue without me even having to ask you.” “Reallly?” “Mhm. If this continues, I think I might actually get used to having my personal superhero coming to save the day.”
RAVENNA ~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“Do you want to come inside?” I asked Valentino as the gate to my house slid open, and there stood Nana, Uncle Leo, Zypher, Drake, Jacob, and Alaina. “Nana would want to say thank you.” “Come on in, you two,” Nana shouted from the other side of the gate. “I’m not staying long,” Valentino said as he drove into the compound. “Right.” He had barely parked the car before Nana was yanking open the door to my side. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she said, pulling me into a hug. She pulled away from me and went over to Valentino, wrapping her arms around him. “Thank you for bringing her back.” I hugged Uncle Leo and the girls next. Valentino stood there awkwardly, and I could see he contemplated hugging her back or not. Nana pulled away from him, looking up at him. “You’ve grown so much. You tower over me now,” she said with a smile. “I always towered over you.”
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“It’s been long since you dropped by,” Payton said as she opened the door to her apartment for me and I walked in. “I had things going on. How’s Jasmine doing?” “She’s fine. She’s sleeping in her cot. Do you want to see her?” “No. Maybe some other time. Are you and the baby doing okay?” “Yes, but the other day, I saw some men watching us. Did you send them over?” I didn’t send anyone to monitor them, but I knew telling her that would only worry her. “I did, but I told them to do it subtly. I guess they’re not doing their job properly.” I made a mental note to send some men over to her place. “You really don’t have to do that. Jasmine’s father is no longer in the picture.” “It was just precautionary. I just dropped by to say hi. I have to go visit Paul, and then I have to grab Renegade from Ciro’s place.” “Don’t let me keep you waiting. You can stop by an
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“You need to stop sneaking into my house,” I said, my voice thick with sleep as I made my way to the coffee machine. “You were supposed to stop by last night, but you didn’t. I thought something was up, so I dropped by. Besides, it’s not sneaking in if the guard let me in himself,” Paul replied. After my call with Fiore, I had been too tired to go anywhere else. “I was tired.” “Right. After spending the whole day with Ravenna, you’re bound to be tired.” I couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic or not, but my brain was still too muddled up to decipher anything. “A little birdie told me something. Nero stayed back this long because he’s expecting something from Ravenna.” “What is that?” “A painting.” I shrugged. “That’s their business.” “That painting was supposed to be stolen from your office.” My head snapped up at that. Ravenna had been
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“I have news for you,” Anthony said as he walked into my living room alongside Ciro, Renegade, and Carlo. “You actually made it before the end of one hour with a few minutes to spare,” I said, glancing at timer I had running on my phone. Renegade padded over to my side, curling himself up against me. “I think you’re a dick for doing that,” Ciro said, his eyes shooting daggers at me. “Nobody gives a fuck what you think about me, little brother.” I shifted my gaze over to Anthony. “What’s this news all about?” “I spoke to the Chinese guys. After a long talk which I had to bring my godfather in for, everything was forgiven.” “Well, that means you can return to England, but something tells me you won’t.” Anthony grinned. “What can I say? I like i
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“She’s acting weird. So not like herself,” Uncle Leo whispered as we watched Sofia from the corner of our eyes. She was staring at the wall in front of her without saying a word. “Where did you find her?” “One of the security at the company found her slumped against the building.” “Are you sure it’s her?” “It looks like her.” “I think we should call Tino. He needs to see her for himself. Thankfully, he hasn’t left for the wedding. That’s supposed to be late this evening.” Uncle Leo nodded in agreement. “You should call him. He deserves to know.” I moved a few feet away from him, pulling out my phone and calling Valentino. “What do you want?” He snapped, his icy voice sending shivers down my spine. “This is Ravenna.” “Ravenna? Why are using a different number?” “I got kidnapped. Remember? I lost my old phone.” “Well, why are you
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“This place looks like it’s about to fall apart,” Ciro said as he cut the engine of his car. “This is where he’s keeping her,” I said, climbing out of the car. I heard as Carlo’s car came to a stop before he threw the door open. I headed straight for the room I knew he kept her in. He had once told me that that was the safest part of the house, and where he was likely to keep his prisoners. I might have been sloppy and told Paul everything about me, but I could say the same about him. I knocked on the door. “Paul, come out, and let us hash things out.” “Oh, he’s here,” I heard Paul say with excitement in his voice. “Yay. Lucky me,” Ravenna said. I couldn’t see her, but I could’ve sworn I heard the eye roll. “Where’s Sofia?” He asked. “She’s not with me.” “Then why the fuck are you?” He roared. I heard feet stomping on the floor. A loud cry from Ravenna f
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤ FOURTEEN YEARS LATER... “Don’t call. Don’t text. Wait until we’re back. Understood?” I asked Jasmine, fixing the last of my makeup. “What if the house is on fire or there’s an earthquake?” She asked, crossing her arms. I paused with the mascara wand to my eye. “Why would the house be on fire?” “You know the sons you have. Domenico in particular. He broke the windshield of Uncle Ciro’s car when we visited the last time. Or the time he beat some kid up at school because he called him frost. The kid wasn’t wrong, though. His hair is white. I could go on and on, and you and Dad won’t get to leave for your meeting. We’re not raising normal humans, Mom. We’re raising wrestling champions.” A laugh broke out of me. She was right. Our first son was a bundle of trouble and his two younger brothers took after him, wreaking havoc around the house. “Okay, fine. You ca
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“He’s amazing, isn’t he?” Ravenna whispered, looking down at our son in her arms. “He’s perfect.” “I can’t believe we made him. Having him in my arms is worth all my sleepless nights. And yours.” I shrugged. “I don’t sleep that much, anyway. You were amazing.” “Where’s Jasmine?” “Outside with Sofia and the rest. They’re dying to see you, but if you’re not up for it, I can turn them away. I suggest them waiting until you’re out of the hospital.” “I’m kind of exhausted right now, but Zypher will strangle you if you deny her entrance.” “I can handle her. I’ll go deliver the news to them.” “Thank you.” “Can we see the baby now?” Zypher asked. “No. Ravenna is tired right now. You can see her when she gets home later today.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “Why do I have a feeling this is all you and not Ravenna?” I shrugged. “There’s no way of finding out, is there? Except you plan on causing a scene in
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤MONTHS LATER... “Isn’t this Anthony’s car? What’s he doing here? Didn’t Zypher tell him I wasn’t home?” I asked as Drake helped me out of the car. “She knows you’re returning today. They probably came to check on you.” “That has to wait until tomorrow. I’m dead on my feet.” “I’d offer to carry you, but you’d probably slap the shit out of me.” “True that.” Drake shook his head at me. “Stubborn woman.” “Besides, you couldn’t carry me if I agreed to it.” “I lift weights in the gym every morning. I think I could manage, since it’s just a short distance.” “It’s all fun and games until we both come tumbling down the stairs.” He threw his head back in laughter. “Have zero faith in me, Ray?” I pushed open the front door. “I don’t trust myself to make it up the stairs without dozing off.” “Sneak up the stairs. I’ll handle Anthony and Zypher. Since Anthony is here, he’s probably in the kitchen.” “Thanks for
RAVENNA ~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“The people want a word, Ravenna,” Uncle Leo said. “Word got around. They have been pinning the death of every member of The eredità on you.” I turned on my stool to face him. “Well, they’re not wrong. I did kill those men.” “If you admit this to them without a background story, they’re going to be angry, and might vote to have you removed from your position as leader.” “That will only happen if I choose to step down. Otherwise, they’re stuck with me. Like I’ve said in the past, this isn’t a fucking democracy, but I’ll entertain their little tantrum. Whoever has a question for me can write it on a piece of paper alongside their contact information. Have some men gather the questions, and I’ll send out replies.” “Will do,” Uncle Leo said before walking out of my room. There was a knock on my door before someone pushed it open and in walked Alaina. “I’d have come in earlier, but I didn’t think you’d want to see me.” I rose fr
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤Not again. That was what I thought when I saw Valentino’s lifeless body on the bed of a truck, a pool of blood gathering beneath him. “Ravenna,” Uncle Leo’s voice called out. His figure was blurry from the tears swimming in my eyes as he reached for me, pulling me into his arms. “Let it all out, Ravenna,” he mumbled. The softness of his voice did me in. I wrapped my arms around him, crying my eyes out for a long minute. “It’s okay. I heard about your pregnancy. Is the baby okay?” He asked. “Yes.” “Okay. Everything will be okay.” “No, it won’t. Valentino isn’t here. He needs to be here. It’s his kid. He should be here. I- I can’t do this alone.” “You have me, Ravenna. Until he wakes up, you have me.” “What if he never wakes up?” I asked, my anxiety skyrocketing. “What if he doesn’t wake up before I have the baby? I can’t do this. I don’t even know if he wants the baby. We never spoke about a baby. What if
RAVENNA ~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“Where’s my uncle?” “Oh, dear Leonardo. He’s a great man, but just like your parents, he’s easily trusting. That’s a no-no.” “What. The. Fuck. Did. You. Do. To. Him? I’m on my last nerve right now. Don’t drag out your suffering, Ilda.” “Knocked him out with a bat. He should be awake by now. There’s nothing you can do. We both know you won’t pull the trigger.” That was where she was mistaken. I wanted nothing more than to bury a knife in her chest and watch the life leave her body. I couldn’t believe this was a woman I’d killed for. A woman I had been willing to risk everything for. “What are you gaining by doing this?” She acted like a sweet woman that I didn’t see her doing a thing like this. I didn’t even see the connection between the woman who had raised me and the one in front of me. “Like Carlo told Valentino, the Costas took something away from us. Matteo used my sister, and he tossed her to the side like she was
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
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 ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“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