In the heart of a modern city, two rival families hold the power. Valentina, a fiercely loyal daughter, and Matteo, a cunning and determined son, find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous feud. But when their paths unexpectedly intertwine, th...
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After we arrived at my house, I guided Valentina inside. I could tell she was still shaken from everything that had happened, so I kept a gentle hand on her back as I led her to my room.
I prayed no one else was home—I didn't need more interruptions tonight. Once inside, I motioned for her to sit on the bed, and she did, quietly picking at her nails, her mind clearly elsewhere.
"I'm going to take a quick shower and change," I told her softly. She gave a small nod, still not looking up at me. The silence between us was heavy, but I didn't push.
I knew she was trying to process everything, and I needed a moment to collect my own thoughts as well.
In the shower, I let the hot water hit my face, trying to wash away the tension. My mind kept circling back to Valentina—her tears, the fear in her eyes, the way she had cried in my arms.
I hadn't expected her to be so scared for me. The fact that she had been worried about me more than herself... it hit me harder than I thought it would.
I dried off and dressed quickly, trying to push the thoughts aside as I re-entered the room. Valentina hadn't moved.
She was still perched on the edge of the bed, picking at her nails, her focus distant. I sat down beside her, determined to get through to her.
"Valentina," I said gently, my voice breaking the stillness. "Talk to me. What are you feeling right now?"
She didn't answer at first, and for a moment, I thought she might not. Then, she let out a shaky breath. "I'm scared."
That one word—scared.
I shifted closer to her, desperate to ease her fear. "You don't have to be scared," I said softly. "You're safe now. Everything's fine."
She finally looked up at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "It doesn't feel fine, Matteo. It feels... overwhelming."
Hearing her admit that made my chest tighten. I reached out, resting my hand on her arm, trying to make sure she understood. "I know it's been a lot, but you are safe with me. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Not tonight, not ever."
Her lip trembled, and I could see just how deeply this had shaken her. I wished I could take it all away, make her feel safe again. "You don't have to worry about anything else right now," I added softly. "Just focus on being here. I'll handle everything."
Valentina nodded slowly, still unsure but a little more at ease. There was a slight softening in her expression, though the weight of the night still lingered.
I didn't say anything else, just stayed beside her, letting her know that I was here, that she wasn't alone.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I didn't want to disturb Valentina more, but I had to take the call.
I glanced at her, giving her a small nod before answering. Switching into Italian, I hoped to keep her from understanding the conversation.
"Che cosa c'è?" I asked, keeping my voice low.
(Che cosa c'è? - What is it?)
"Boss, abbiamo scoperto perché Marco ha fatto quella mossa," the voice on the other end said, sounding anxious. My jaw clenched.
(Boss, abbiamo scoperto perché Marco ha fatto quella mossa - Boss we found out why Marco made that move.)
"Dimmi," I responded, glancing at Valentina, making sure she was okay. She was staring at the floor, still picking at her nails.
(Dimmi - tell me)
"C'entrano dei soldi... e Lorenzo è coinvolto. Marco lo ha fatto per mandarti un messaggio."
(C'entrano dei soldi... e Lorenzo è coinvolto. Marco lo ha fatto per mandarti un messaggio. - There's money involved and Lorenzo is involved. Marco did it to send you a message.)
My stomach dropped. Of course, it had to be Lorenzo behind it. "Perché non me l'hai detto prima?"
(Perché non me l'hai detto prima? - Why didn't you tell me before.)
"Stavamo cercando di mettere insieme tutto. È stato un casino."
(Stavamo cercando di mettere insieme tutto. È stato un casino. - We were trying to put everything together.It was a mess)
"Idiota," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. I had to keep my cool in front of Valentina. "Questo doveva essere evitato. Dove eri quando tutto stava andando a puttane?"
(Questo doveva essere evitato. Dove eri quando tutto stava andando a puttane? - this had to be avoided. Where were you when everything was going to shit?)
The guy stammered on the other end. "Sto cercando di sistemare tutto ora, boss."
(Sto cercando di sistemare tutto ora, boss. - I'm trying to fix everything now boss.)
"Non voglio scuse, voglio soluzioni. Risolvilo, o sarà il tuo problema," I snapped, trying to keep my frustration contained.
(Non voglio scuse, voglio soluzioni. Risolvilo, o sarà il tuo problema, - I don't want excuses I want solutions. Fix it, or it will be your problem.)
"Capito, boss. Mi dispiace."
(Capito, boss. Mi dispiace. - got it boss I am sorry.)
I hung up, taking a deep breath before slipping my phone back into my pocket. I turned to Valentina, who had started looking at me with those worried eyes again.
"Everything okay?" she asked softly.
I forced a small smile, not wanting to add to her stress. "Just business. Nothing too important."
She didn't look convinced, but I didn't want her more involved than she already was. "You sure?" she pressed.
"Yeah, not a big problem," I said, leaning back against the bed, hoping that'd put her mind at ease.
AUTHORS NOTEEE Matteo cursing in Italian and Valentina not knowing what he says gets me every time bro😭😭 Val's still scared which is normal I mean I would be too. Please follow my TikTok @heartss4bookss for more updates and content!!
