Page 80 of Die for You

“This is insanity! She’ll see straight through this.”

I’m certain this will work for the mere fact that…” In her eyes, you betrayed me once before. You must do it again. And she will believe it because there’s so much more at stake for you now. You cannot let on that you suspect she is the one who has Lettie.

“You must say that you believe I want revenge for keeping my daughter a secret. You believe I have kidnapped her, waiting for you to come begging because I know you can’t win against me. Your men cannot match mine. But you’d rather die than surrender to me. Therefore, you need Gianna’s help to find Lettie. And in return, you’ll kill me, and my kingdom will be hers.”

Valentina sighs, turning in her seat to look at me. “She’ll believe it because that’s what I deserve.”

I stop myself from reaching out and touching her, reminding myself that I’m still furious at her. However, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to remember that.

“It’s going to be really,reallyhard to pretend I don’t know the truth. Just saying her name makes me want to—” She doesn’t continue because no words could ever sum up what we both want to do to Gianna.

“I know, but we don’t have a choice. You said Gianna is planning a takeover so big that I won’t survive. We could fight her, but I won’t risk our daughter’s life that way.”

“Gianna’s contact in Italy let it slip that she is planning something big. I don’t know what, but he was confident she would win. And I believe him. That’s why I think she has Lettie. She is the only thing we would both die for. It’s why I came here. I needed to tell you the truth.”

“And if none of this happened, would you still make the same choice?”

Her silence speaks volumes, which has my anger returning tenfold.

Any sentiment I feel for Valentina dissipates. I remind myself I’m here because she needs me. I shouldn’t mistake this as her desire to be one big happy family once this is done and dusted. She has that in Italy, with Nico.

The urge to punch the windshield is debilitating.

But I quash down my need for violence and focus on what’s important.

“Gianna won’t let me out of her sight once I go in there.”

“I know. Whatever she asks, you must do.”

“So this was your plan all along? That we fight on opposing sides once again?”

“We’ll never be on the same team, Valentina.”

She flinches.

Harsh, but true.

She has Nico.

And I’m married to Bria.

Valentina and I will never just be friends.

We can’t.

We will learn to coexist because of Lettie, but that’s all it’ll ever be.

Loving Valentina hurts.

It’s destructive and appears to only cause pain.

A part of me is disappointed when she nods. I suppose I had hoped she would defy me, as she always does, and fight for what I want but can’t have.

“Goodbye, Lenny. I’ll be in touch when I can.” She opens the door, and I watch as she walks away from me…again.

Iallow a single tear to fall as Lenny drives away.

He’s right.