Locked Hearts

Chapter Thirty Three

VALERIUS POV {Rae}

"You lied to me. You told me you didn't know who was killing off Milano's men." Hunter spoke.

I shrugged, leaning against the old building. "I needed to be sure I could trust you."

Hunter used to be one of Milano's spies. He never fully got out and Milano never stopped looking for him. He was the one who gave me all the information I have one Milano but I still didn't trust him.

"And now?" He man asked, looking at me with a cold expression that matched mine.

I shrugged as a reply.

He held out a envelope and I took it. "He'll be at his warehouse in two days. A new shipment is coming in, it's teenage girls."

My anger and disgust burnt though my skin at the information. I hated knowing that the same filthy blood ran through my veins, that I was something that came from him. I grunted out a goodbye and left.

On my way home, I made sure no one followed me, taking unnecessary turns. The only vehicle that trailed after me was that of Marcus' men. The same security procedure followed before I was granted access into the house.

Before I could enter my room, I'd already noticed the lights on. Meaning, Grace was up and probably upset she woke up without me next to her. It was only three in the morning and I had snuck out. The look on her face when I opened the door, told me she wasn't pleased with that.

"Where'd you go?" Her soft but irritable voice spoke.

"I had something to do." I answered, starting to strip out of my clothing.

"Where?"

"Grace," I sighed.

When I looked back at her, her freckled face scrunched up with a frown. Her lips formed a small pout but I was certain she did it without knowing.

"I went to meet someone." When I saw the pained look she now had, I quickly clarified. "No no, not like that. He used to be part of Milano's crew. He's been spying for Danny and I for a while now." I sat beside her.

"And you can trust him?" She didn't look hurt but concerned now.

"No, the guy's a rat. I wouldn't be surprised if he led us right into an ambush." I laughed but she kept her face blank.

"That's not funny." She whispered.

"I know. We let him think he's in control but we keep our guard up.
Besides, he's terrified of Marcus so he wouldn't do anything." I looked down at her. She picked at the end of the covers, not saying anything. "Marcus, Danny's father killed all those men in an attempt to lure Milano back to the city. The man doesn't give a shit about any one but they were some of his most trusted men. It worked obviously. Marcus has been helping me and he was also the one who told me the truth. Their family is, I guess you could say part of the Italian mob just nicer. I'm confident everything will work out." I caressed her cheek with my thumb.

"Okay." She smiled, seemingly happy with my explanation.

●●●

I had every intention of making these last two days count. I did another horrible painting with Marcello, while Lena talked our ears off. I could see how irritated he became but I also saw him slowly let the girl in. He didn't take much to new people but Lena had a knack for worming her way into your heart. Which is exactly what she did with my mom and brother. She'd be cared for, they'd love her like their own. I didn't have to worry about her being alone.

I laid in my mom's lap for hours, listening to her sing to me. It was one of my favorite things to do since I could remember. She'd sing in her mother language, thread her fingers through my hair and lull me to sleep. I felt safe. Nothing could harm me here, nothing felt better than a mother's protection over you.

"You're quiet." Grace pointed out.

We laid naked in bed, sheets barely covering our exposed body. I lazily trailed my fingers up and down her arm as her head rested on my chest. The hand she had draped over my stomach, laced with my free hand and held there tightly. I searched my mind for words to say to her, words that'd be enough. It had only just occurred to me that I never told her. I never let this amazing soul know how much she meant to me. How much she'd change me, a change that started the very first time I was graced with her beauty. I could see it, the redhead trying to reach her box of cereal on the top shelf. I could still feel the churn of my stomach at first eye contact, and I smiled remembering how she shot me down. I refused to question why she chose to be with me, instead I basked in the feeling running through my veins. I'd compare this feeling to how a druggie would feel after finally getting their fix after too long. The high, the adrenaline, the 'I can fly' feeling.

"Val?" Her lips brushed against my jaw. "What are you thinking?" She hovered over me, blocking the view of the ceiling.

Staring into those deep blues of hers, I tried to tell her. The words that failed to leave my lips, I begged my eyes to somehow send the message to her heart. Words I never uttered to anyone but my parents and brother. Why couldn't I say it? Denial? No, I accepted my feelings a while ago. This woman owned my being now. Fear, that they wouldn't be reciprocated? Maybe, but she said she wasn't going anywhere. I believed that, but I still struggled to say them out loud.

"Baciami." I softly demanded. She smiled, leaning down to join our lips.

A slow and passion filled kiss, I gave her everything in that kiss. Another attempt to convey my feeling to the woman in my arms.

"Wow." She whispered when she pulled back slightly.

"Sei tutto per me." I admitted. It wasn't the same but it came close enough.

The smile she gave made my heart skip beats, and those damn butterflies.

What is it about you, Grace?

"Say it." She lowered herself, putting her hands on my stomach then placing her chin on them.

"Say what?" I stared down at her.

She chuckled before shaking her head. "Nothing. You're everything to me too."

●●●

I untangled her limbs from around my body, placing a pillow for her instead. My heart hurt looking down at her sleeping face, knowing when she woke she'd be alone. But I had to go, I needed to stop him.

For my mother, my father, for every woman he hurt, families he wrecked. For years Milano took what he wanted, stole young girls and boys and used them to his will. Destroyed and never paid for it. I had to stop him.

"I love you, cuore mio." I whispered to the sleeping beauty before placing a kiss on her lips.

I got dressed then headed down to meet the others.

"Ready?" Marcus asked.

"No, let's go."

-E