Page 21 of Die for You (Kiss or Kill #2)

“A re you fucking insane!”

The honest answer to that is that I am questioning my sanity daily.

“Bria. Enough,” I groan with my back turned as I’m cleaning out a spare cupboard of clothes we barely use.

Bria yanks on my arm, spinning me around to face her. “She’s not staying here! She killed my father! Have you forgotten?”

I knew this would go down like a bag of dicks, but there’s no way I’m letting Valentina out of my sight. I’m not sure what she thought would happen by coming here, but a happy reunion is definitely off the cards.

I don’t plan on telling Bria about Lettie because the fewer people who know about her, the better. Until I have some clue about what’s going on, I will behave like Lettie doesn’t exist.

Valentina did as I asked and told me everything.

Someone is hunting her, and I’ll bet my entire fortune that it’s Gianna.

I have no doubt that Gianna knows about Lettie, and when Valentina told me about the bogus Madam Gazella, I suspected she knew more than she was letting on.

And I was right.

The internet is every stalker’s best friend because after twenty minutes, I was able to confirm what I suspected—Madam Bullshit is Gianna’s mother.

So it seems even Valentina’s grandmother is an evil bitch who is about to pay dearly for her lies. I figure if she’s a clairvoyant and all, she should be able to see me coming.

If she doesn’t, then that just proves she’s all smoke and mirrors.

She’s the only link I have to Gianna.

She’s collateral, so I need her alive.

Valentina is concerned for Nico’s safety and asked if he could come here.

As much as I would rather cut off my arm and beat myself to death with it, I agreed because as far as I’m concerned, everyone’s a suspect.

Nico may have staged this entire thing.

I need to keep my friends close and my enemies even closer.

Even Valentina.

For all I know, this whole daughter facade is just a big ploy by Gianna to tug on my heartstrings, and Valentina will strike the moment I let my guard down. Valentina is the one who warned me that Gianna is up to something so big that I won’t survive it.

And this is pretty fucking big.

So it seems we’re all about to be one big happy family.

“This house is big enough that you never have to see her. It’s only for a short while.”

“That’s beside the point! Her being here is disrespecting my father and putting our lives in danger. You’re literally inviting the enemy into our home! After everything she’s done, you still trust her! You’re pathetic!”

There will be no bargaining with Bria.

Turning around, I hate to see her in turmoil this way, but this is happening. “You’ve always wanted to explore the Greek islands, how about you go on—”

“You’re just shipping me off? Un-fucking-believable! There’s no way I’m going anywhere.”

This is one argument I’ll never win.

“Over my dead body will she step foot inside this house, and if she does, I will fucking slit her throat.”

I wish she was merely being melodramatic, but she’s not.

I understand her anger. I would react the same way. However, if she stands in my way, I will send her away, kicking and screaming if I must.

“What does she have over you?” Bria asks, her eyes heavy with tears. “You won’t even tell me what’s going on. This isn’t a marriage, Lenny. I didn’t sign up for this.”

“Then fucking go!” I scream, pointing at the door. “No one is holding you prisoner.”

“Is that what you want?”

“I’m not playing these childish games with you.”

“Then choose. Me or her.”

Leveling her with utter gravity, I state, “I don’t do good with ultimatums, you know that. But I choose neither. If you want to leave, then that’s your choice. I’m telling you what’s happening. You either accept it or you don’t.

“I’m sorry this is upsetting you. I understand why it is. But please, understand me—this is happening with or without your blessing.”

Harsh, but true.

My daughter is the only thing I care about right now, and Bria’s tantrum is just wasting my time.

I turn back around, which probably isn’t wise because the last time my back was turned, Bria stabbed me. But I guess we’re now even because I am doing the same thing to her—figuratively speaking.

Bria sniffs but is too strong to cry.

She leaves, and I honestly don’t know if she’ll return.

I finish clearing some space for Valentina, not that she deserves it.

We may be fighting for the same thing, but we’re not on the same team.

My cell chimes, and it’s a text from Donkey, reminding me about inventory tonight at the shop.

This is the last thing I want to be doing, but at the end of each month, I do a count on what we have. Then we place an order with our suppliers. I keep a close eye on my product because I don’t want anyone stealing from me, like Bria did to Aldo.

This is the only way I can ensure my men are loyal and not stealing from me or undercutting me in any way.

“Hi.”

I clench the cell in my hand because her voice soothes and angers me in the same breath.

Valentina was waiting for me while I spoke to Bria, not that I accomplished anything. She would have heard the whole thing.

At least she knows to stay out of Bria’s way.

But Valentina isn’t here to rekindle old flames. She’s here because something bigger is at play, and if Gianna is the mastermind, then who better to take her down than the kids she shaped into killers?

I have no idea when Nico will arrive. If I don’t see him, we won’t have a problem. It’s a laughable notion that we’re all to coexist under the same roof because one of us will snap.

Living together like one big happy family is the most absurd idea.

“I’m happy to stay in a motel,” Valentina says for the tenth time.

“It’s safer to stay here.”

She arches a brow because that’s not entirely true. Not with Bria on a warpath.

“I understand why she’s upset, and I don’t want to encroach on her home. I’m not here to cause any trouble. You’re her husband, and I get it. Your virtue is safe, trust me.”

“Ditto, sweetheart.”

We both hate one another, so any secret rendezvous is out of the question.

“This is your room. I have a meeting I must attend.”

She dumps her backpack near the dresser. “Okay, let’s go.”

“Pardon me? That wasn’t an invite.”

“I really don’t care. I’m here because you don’t trust me. You want to keep an eye on me in case this is one of Gianna’s ploys to infiltrate your home. But guess what? I don’t trust you either. So where you go, I go.”

She has every right to think this.

“Suit yourself.”

She gestures for me to lead the way.

Bria has thankfully made herself scarce as we make our way to the garage.

Valentina doesn’t say a word when she sees my collection of cars.

I decide to take the pickup as I have a dollhouse for Donkey’s daughter.

It’s her birthday this weekend, but I won’t be attending. So I’ll give it to him tonight.

We drive in silence, the radio’s background noise filling the quiet. My thoughts are with my daughter. I don’t even know what she looks like. However, seeing a photograph of her makes this entire thing real.

And it makes me despise Valentina more than I already do.

I park the car in the private parking lot at the back of the store. I notice Valentina looking at the shop closely. I suppose this brings back memories of Aldo.

She now knows he wanted to adopt her to keep her safe. Or at the very least, use her against Gianna. The lesser of two evils, I suppose.

I take in our surroundings, ensuring nothing feels out of sorts. Donkey isn’t here yet because I’m early. We get out, and I’m on edge as I walk toward the back door. I keep looking over my shoulder. Something doesn’t feel right.

I retrieve my gun from the small of my back and unlock the door. Entering cautiously, I switch on the light. Everything looks the same.

“Stay here,” I softly instruct Valentina.

She nods, and I am not surprised when she produces her own gun.

She occupies the front as I do a quick sweep of the store, but I know this place like the back of my hand. There is no place to hide, other than the storeroom, which I have torn apart to no avail. All my stones are where I left them, and I can’t see anything out of place.

All the hippie shit is still emanating its mumbo jumbo.

My safe and the money, jewels, and drugs inside are untouched.

Perhaps I’m just on edge.

I walk back out to Valentina, who looks at me. But I shake my head.

We hear a car pull up out back, and both of us are on guard as we peer out. It’s dark out as the moon has gone into hiding. But the taillights belong to Donkey’s sedan.

Valentina and I walk outside to meet him, and when he sees her, he soon works out who she is. He knows better than to ask questions. He instead looks at the pink monstrosity in the back of my pickup.

“For Amelia,” I clarify. “Every six-year-old likes pink, right?”

Valentina’s demeanor instantly softens.

Donkey’s lips twitch. “Yes, she’ll love it. But you’re not coming to her birthday party?”

I shake my head.

“Do you need me?”

“I appreciate the offer, but it’s your daughter’s birthday. Celebrate with your family. Nothing is more important than that.”

Valentina busies herself by studying her nails since I’ve clearly hit a nerve.

“But you can’t fit it in that thing,” I mock, looking at Donkey’s sedan. “Take my truck and drop it off at home. Come back when you’re done.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

I toss Donkey my keys, which he catches. “Thank you, Lennon. Under your asshole exterior lays only half an asshole.”

Valentina muffles her laughter behind her hand.

My cell rings, but the caller is unknown. “Saved by the bell,” I tease, giving Donkey a wave as I enter the store to take the call.

Valentina stays outside.

“Hello.” However, it’s silent. “Hello?” I repeat in case it’s a bad line.

I hear Donkey talk to Valentina.

“Hello?” I say one last time.

Suddenly, I hear a nursery rhyme over the phone. Ring around the rosie…

I don’t have a chance to speak because the caller says one word. “Boom.”