Page 3 of Die for You

“We owe her our lives.”

I’ve heard this all before, and my reply will never change. “If only you knew—” But I hold my tongue as I’ve said too much.

“Knew what?”

I don’t reply, which infuriates her.

“And you expect me to trust you?” She snickers, shaking her head. “Gianna has never lied to me.”

“Oh, wake the fuck up! Look what you’ve turned into.”

“And what’s that?” She folds her arms across her chest in defiance.

With measured movements, I lean over her shoulder and snuff out my cigarette in the glass ashtray behind her.

Her breaths begin to quicken.

I pull away slowly, our faces inches apart. Peering up at me from under hooded eyes, she parts that lush pink mouth, the tip of her tongue curling under her top lip. She’s doing this to bait me because, like always, the line between love and hate blurs.

“Aldo wasn’t a fit leader. He was weak. His men saw his inability to lead.”

“You sound exactly like her.”

“And for that, I’m proud.”

The room grows smaller because it seems…off.

“You’re here because you want something. What is it?”

She swallows past the lump in her throat. A subtle action but one that doesn’t go unnoticed by me.

“I’m here because I need you to give up. Gianna is planning a takedown so large, Lennon, you will not survive it.”

A laugh escapes me. “I’ll take my chances. Besides, the past five years have been nothing but a fight for survival for us both. I won’t back down. And neither will Bria.”

The change in Valentina is clear. Her hatred for Bria still runs deep. Whether it’s jealousy or admiration, I’m still not sure.

“She is no one.”

“Watch your mouth,” I warn, my tone firm.

“Or what? The truth hurts, no? The only reason she is protected is because—” But Valentina soon stops herself, and I know the reason that is.

But regardless, I decide to torment her because I enjoy seeing that fluster creep up her long neck and paint those cherub cheeks red.

“Because? What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” I lower my face into Valentina’s, uncaring for her personal space.

She stands her ground, but I’m getting under her skin.

“Could it be because she’s smart, experienced, and a skilled fighter? Not to mention beautiful, so beautiful in fact she’s been able to lure your men to their knees…before she takes their heads.”

Low blow, but Valentina has no right to bad-mouth Bria. Not only has she been loyal to me since day one, but she is also…

“It’s because she’s your wife!”

And then there’s that.

Valentina and I will never have a happily ever after. Too much has happened to forget. There were never any expectations or promises between us, and being on opposing teams makes it hard to maintain a relationship with the enemy.