The Kiss Of The Vendetta

Too Cold For You

Valentina's POV:

I wake up to my ears popping. I'm assuming we made it to America. I've always dreamed of coming here, but never in this way. I slowly open my eyes; they burn from the change of light. I go to get up and all I feel is resistance. I have so many straps and belts and any restrainments they had to hold me in place.

I try to look around, trying to see if anyone is close by to untie me. Cause all of this stuff, it fucking hurts. I see the door open and Luca and Massimo walk from the back room to outside. I try to get Luca's arm, but he just brushed me off.

I plead for the pilot to untie me, obviously, he didn't. I keep twisting and turning trying to get out of this. Until I hear footsteps, the fancy shoes hitting the airplanes carpet flooring made me stomach turn.

"What the hell are you doing?", the man asked firmly. "I don't know if you can see, but I'm trying to get out of this. It's uncomfortable", I pleaded. Quickly, Luca rushes in, and looks at me as if he was asking if I said anything stupid. The strange man turns to Luca. "Who the fuck is she?", he asked in a demanding tone. Luca's legs were going to turn into jello. "She's Val...", Luca said softly. "What?", the guy now sounded as if he couldn't believe what Luca was saying. "That's Antonio's daughter", Luca said quickly. "Luca, where are the heads?", he demanded to know.

In a split second Massimo was bringing in the cooler, where my father's head laid. Massimo opens the cooler for the man to see, as Luca and I expected, he wasn't happy...at all. "Where's the other head?", the guy said. "I don't have it, he escaped", Luca said while turning his face towards the ground. "Luca, in my Mafia, people don't "escape", and if they do, we find them and finish the job. See, I asked for 2 heads, not one...TWO", the man said putting two fingers up in Luca's face. "All that's here is Antonio's head, and his stupid daughter. I don't know why you even brought her to me.", the guy said.

I didn't even know this dude and he was already assuming stuff. "Don't say shit you know nothing about", I snarled at him. This guy had to be around 6'4 or 6'5, dark hair, light brown eyes, tan skin, filled with tattoos. He just screamed dominance. After finishing my sentence, I knew I messed up. I couldn't show any fear, so I did what I do best, I put my poker face on.

"What did you say?", he said walking closer to me. "Did you not hear me the first time?", I said letting out a little laugh. He wasn't amused. "Say it again, princess. I dare you,", he growled. "Triple dog dare?", I asked him. "Yea", he said quickly. "I'm saying this for the last time, so listen and listen good. Don't say shit you know nothing about", I snarled again. He bends down so we are face to face. He grabs my neck and makes me look him directly in the eyes. I swear, in this moment, I felt I was staring into the devils soul...if he even had one.

"Princess, I could give two flying fucks on who you think you are. But watch your mouth, because you aren't in Italia anymore, you're in New York, my city", he said in an arrogant tone. "Isn't New York a state?", I said not even thinking. I saw Luca look me in the eyes not knowing what possessed me to say that. All I can do now is hope this guy just brushes off that insult.

He tightens his grip on my neck, and I'm just staring at him. "You think you, a nobody, can come here and disrespect me like that? If I didn't need you for information, I'd kill you right on the spot. You're nothing special, i don't know why Luca even brought you to me. You're nothing but a spoiled, no good, daddy's girl, from a small town in italia. Know your fucking place...cause I promise you, I will put you in it if you don't. Tell me you understand", he demanded. "I understand", I said trying to get any air that I could. After I said those 2 words, he loosened his grip and sat on the airplane seat in front of me.

"I'm not a daddy's girl by the way.", I whispered. "What?", he said confused. "I said I'm not a daddy's girl. He ditched my brother and I when we were young...right after my mom died", I finished the last sentence with a sigh. The guy looked at me with a blank face. "Well, If it makes you feel any better; my dad simply didn't want me.", he said with a smile.

Luca looked surprised, as if he didn't know. I was surprised after being a brat he would even tell me that. "I'm sorry to hear that", I said with a little frown. "I'm over it. I had my mum, that's all that matters.", a faint smile appeared on his face. I sent a tiny smile back.

"What's your name?", I politely asked.

"Giovanni", he responded

"I'm guessing Val isn't your real name?", he said tilting his head.

I let out a small laugh. "No, it's not. That's a nickname for Valentina".

"Pretty name", Massimo spat out.

"Thank you", I replied

Giovanni gave Massimo a quick glare. As if what he said was inappropriate. "So where's your brother? How'd he escape? And why are you here", he asked. I looked at Luca quickly, and I told our made up story. "Um... it's kinda long"; I quietly said. "I have time", he responded while leaning back into the black leather seat.

"Luca has been a childhood friend, like family. So when he came to kill my brother, we were all in shock. Luca asked for me to get his sweatshirt that he had left the week prior. When I was going to go back to the room, I saw Luca pointing a gun at my brother. So I thought fast, and I punched Luca unconscious. And then I let my brother escape. Luca wanted to go find him, but I pleaded with him for Luca to take me to you instead. I'm giving you my freedom for my brother's.", I said.

"And what would someone like you have to offer me?", he asked. "I could be free dates to events. I can dress up nice, and I know how to act. I have a good poker face, so if you talk business or something happens I can pretend I saw or heard nothing. And I'm a lot of fun", I pleaded. "Fun gets people in trouble", he said with a straight face. I frowned a little with a shrug. "Sometimes a little bit of trouble isn't that bad.", I said that sending a wink his way. Luca just stared at me, like burning holes right in my face. I glared back.
———
Giovanni got a phone call and excused himself to answer it. In a blink of an eye, Luca made his way to me and said; "Are you crazy? You're playing with fire". "It's a good thing I like the heat", I smiled. "He's going to break you. He's too cold to show emotion. He's too cold for you", Luca frowned. "No, no one is too cold for me", I glared at him.