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“Valentino, please.” He tries to push away from me, but I yank him back and slam my fist into the center of his face, breaking his nose. He screams again.
“Please?” I echo. “You’re not sorry. You’re just in pain.”
I continue to slam my fist into his face until it’s a battered, unrecognizable mess.
“Please, don’t do this. I’ll kneel to Francesca,” he cries. “I’ll confess everything. I’ll beg her to take you back. Please. Don’t kill me.”
I walk away from him and almost reach the door when it bursts open to reveal Roberto. Disappointment bubbles up my throat.
“I never want to see you again. You and all your brothers. Don’t cross my path. It’s my last warning,” I snarl as I walk past him.
When I get into my car, I take a moment to tone down my anger before driving. I contemplate sending Federico’s sex tape with Rosalia to his wife, but that’s below me. I will never do that.
My phone rings, and it’s Vinny calling. I’m not in the mood to speak to anyone, but this is business, and there’s no better way to ground myself than to lose myself in business.
“Vinny,” I bark into the phone as I navigate my way back home.
“Valentino,” he says sweetly. “Your plan worked. All the bosses have reached out to me. They heard you took Joseph Catalano to Terra de Barbieri and want to cut a deal with him.”
“What did you tell them?”
“Nothing. You said to call you whenever he calls me, and that’s what I’m doing. What should I tell them?”
I pause for a second. “Arrange a meet up for tomorrow evening. Let me know where and when.”
I hang up the phone as I pull into my garage. I feel miserable, but I’d rather live this way for the rest of my life than plead with Francesca. I don’t expect her to trust me completely, but to constantly insult my dignity is something I cannot stand.
I may not be the best man in the world, but I treat her with more respect than anyone else. It breaks my heart that she cannot defend my character in my absence or at least give me achance to explain. Living in silence with her may kill me, but I’m resigned to it since that’s what she chose.
I don’t care how dreary it is; I will stay strong.
Chapter Forty-One
FRANCESCA
It’s been a day since our argument, and Valentino still hasn’t said anything to me. Right now, we’ve both accidentally arrived at the breakfast table at the same time, but he’s not even spared me a glance since we sat together. We’re falling back into an old pattern and becoming strangers again.
He's on his phone, and I wonder who he’s texting.
Is it another woman?
I stop that train of thought before it grows worse. Valentino accuses me of not trusting him, but how can I when he’s everything a woman would want? He’s handsome, rich and powerful. And gorgeous women either turn up at my doorstep or on videos while I’m trying to eat grilled cheese on toast in my own home.
I sneak a glance at him. He’s wearing a suit, as usual, and it molds his body perfectly. His body is a work of art, but it’s his face that is simply devastating. This morning, he looks even more attractive, and it’s taking all of my willpower not to throw myself at him and apologize for what happened even though it is his fault. If there is a reasonable explanation for the lap dance then why didn’t he come home and tell me about it? Although forthe life of me, I cannot imagine there would be any reasonable explanation of why he would need to have a lap dance other than for pure pleasure and sexual gratification.
I harden my heart. I don’t care how good he looks. Hell will freeze over before I apologize or allow him to treat me the way my father treated my mother. He’s clearly in the wrong here and I’m not sure why he’s acting like the victim. It must be the infamous Barone pride.
“What?” Valentino barks into his phone. There is a pause before he speaks again. “Okay. I’ll be right there. Yes. Send me a location. Good.” He hangs up and stands.
“Valentino,” I keep the emotions out of my voice. “I’ll be going out today.”
He looks completely uninterested. “Have a good day.”
My mouth falls open. Isn’t he going to ask where I’m going? Doesn’t he give a damn about my safety anymore? The way he has completely switched off hurts.
“That’s all?”
His eyes narrow. “Sorry. Is there something you wanted?”