chapter 1
Valentino’s POV
I can’t believe that just happened...I mean, I knew she might not be happy when I finally revealed myself to her, but I didn’t expect that reaction.I think as I rub my chest where she kept poking me, then I smile...that’s my girl; being strong enough to make just a finger poke cause a semblance of pain.
The sound of my door opening breaks me out of my thoughts: “What’s up, V? I came as fast as I could,” states Owen.
“It’s okay, O...so...I did it.”
“Did what?” He responds in a confused tone while sitting on the loveseat.
“I revealed myself to Sophia...but.”
“But what?”
“But she freaked out on me, O.”
“Well, that was bound to happen...but what made you do it now? I thought you were going to wait.”
“I let my worry control my actions...when I saw that man running towards her, I was about to reveal myself at that moment, but I was able to restrain myself. Then, when I got back, I debriefed with Carmen, and she said that Soph was suspicious and was questioning her, so she let her go to her apartment in the elevator alone...I just wanted to make sure Sophia was okay, so I ran up the stairs and pressed the elevator on a random floor. When I entered the elevator, she was hunched over and wasn’t alert or paying attention to her surroundings, so I kind of...”
Owen scoots to the edge of his seat: “You kind of what, Valentino?”
Letting out a sigh, I respond: “I kind of scolded her about her needing to be aware of her surroundings and alert, especially when she’s alone. After asking her by her name if she was okay... she looked up at me upset, and I could tell she was going to tell me off, but she was able to tell who I am. Once the elevator got to her floor, she rushed to her apartment but thankfully stopped when I called her by her nickname for the second time since she moved in.”
“Okay, her stopping was a good thing, right?”
“Yes...I mean, no man...she poked me in the chest while scolding me, and that shit hurt,” I state while rubbing my chest.
“What hurt more? Her poking you or scolding you?” asks Owen with amusement in his voice.
“Both hurt equally, but I can see how she feels I deserve it....she doesn’t know why I disappeared from her life.”
“Are you going to tell her, Valentino?”
“She already knows I’m alive and own this building, but she doesn’t know anything else, and I’m not sure if I should or shouldn’t tell her....ugh, this is a fucked-up situation....if that note didn’t exist, she would have still been safe and be oblivious to our world....I don’t know how this will play out, but I do know that I’ll still watch over her even if she hates me and moves out.”
" I know you will, and we will all help you keep her safe like we have for these past 10 years.”
“Thanks, Owen....I think I’m going to give her the rest of the day, then check on her tomorrow morning.”
“That’s a good idea...If you need Carmen to check on her instead, let us know...we’re always ready to help....even on our days off.”
While laughing, I stand up from the couch: “There’s no such thing as a day off for us, but Sundays are our calmest days of the week.”
Owen responds by laughing and shaking his head in agreement while walking towards the door: “Let me know how it goes....hi, sexy, I’m on my way home, do you need to talk to Valentino?”
“No, I’m here looking for you,” Carmen replies to Owen before putting her hand around his arm and waves bye before I lock the door.
I fight the urge to reach out to Sophia and take a shower. While the warm water cascades over my tense muscles, I allow today’s craziness to replay in my head. Turns out the jogger was just a regular guy jogging, which was a relief to hear, but I didn’t help the situation. Someone is out to get Sophia, and I refuse to let that happen.
***Sunday***
My alarm jolts me awake. Usually, I press the snooze button a few times, but not today...I got shit to do today that only I can do and want to do.Within a matter of minutes, I’m ready and walking out the door of my place.
As I walk through the lobby, my men greet me and ask if their services are needed. I inform them that I’m good and they can go about their day. Right before I open the door to walk out of the building, Owen and Carmen greet me from the opposite side: “Good morning, boss, we’re ready.”
“Hello, Owen, Carmen...you’re ready for what?”
“To go to Starbucks with you.”
“How did you know?”“Did you forget we did the gathering of information on her likes for you...besides we’re not leaving you without backup,” replies Owen while he taps my shoulder playfully.
“I also want breakfast, so there’s no getting rid of us,” adds Carmen as she walks with her arm wrapped around Owen’s.
“Fine, let’s go,” I respond while walking.
Once we get to Starbucks that’s a couple of blocks away, I order a double chocolate chip frappe and a warmed banana nut bread. Owen and Carmen order egg white bites, a caramel macchiato, a caramel frappe, a double chocolate chip frappe, and a bacon egg and gouda sandwich. Once our orders were done, Owen handed me the double chocolate chip frappe and the bacon egg and gouda cheese sandwich: “You have to eat as well, boss.”
“I don’t think I can eat right now,” I respond as we walk back to the building.
“Think of it as an impromptu breakfast date, just one person can’t have a meal, both people have to enjoy the experience of eating and drinking together,” states Carmen.
“What if she doesn’t accept this and doesn’t want to even speak to me?”
“Well, I happen to know that she was planning to get herself Starbucks for breakfast, so I bet she will accept your gift,” Carmen replies with a wink.
I don’t know where or who I would be if these two never came into my life. They are the only family I have.
Once we get to Sophia’s floor, they wish me luck as I exit the elevator.
I could face my enemies and run an empire without breaking a sweat, but walking to Sophia’s door has my heart racing, palms sweaty, and my anxiety going crazy. How can one woman cause in me what the meanest piece of shit person can’t?
Here goes nothing, I whisper as I raise my hand finger to the doorbell.
