INSEPARABLE | 18+

S I X

A few days later.
Rome, Italy.

-

"Leave." The Underboss ordered the men in the room. His command was immediately complied with. Antonio threw the file on the desk and brushed the hair away from his forehead, his gaze wandering towards the other two men present in the room.

The Don was seated on the other side of the table with his Consigliere beside him - he seemed to be deep in thought, not paying attention to his surroundings.

Yet he was alert enough.

"I don't understand." Dimitri huffed in annoyance. "How were they able to get hold of this information?"

Antonio only shrugged while running a hand through his hair - he looked towards his cousin, waiting for him to speak. This was a crucial matter; the famiglia had suffered a loss in their business, and it wasn't a common occurrence.

"Mole," Valerius muttered. "There is a snitch among us."

"Who is suicidal enough to mess with us?" Dimitri questioned, "Or much less you?"

"This doesn't make any sense." It was Antonio who spoke now.

Valerius cleared his throat, tilting his head back a little. His eyes were focused on the ceiling above, "The Russians have something on this person. No man or even woman would risk their lives for nothing. The security must be increased." He brought his eyes down and stared at the two men, "Get your most trusted guards for protection, and no one new gets hired for now."

"Si."

"Speak." Valerius addressed Dimitri when he noticed him deep in thought.

"What could Don Vladimir possibly want?"

Vladimir Belov, the Pakhan of Bratva.

The war between Russians and Italians traveled back. Their hatred for each other was sowed in the gardens of their lands since the beginning of time. Vladimir was no different than his father - raised with a twisted moral compass, he refused to respect the rules. He had trespassed the boundaries more than once, yet every time he failed to accomplish what he wanted to. He was a powerful Pakhan, but not more than Valerius.

"Power," Valerius whispered in answer to Dimitri.

The play of power was the most dangerous in the Mafia. Men and women were killed because of it. Allies turned into traitors when the power came into the picture. Every person thrived to gain it. Some even risked their lives for the sake of it.

"But why would someone accept to help him?" Antonio said, "Knowing that they could be caught?"

Valerius spoke once again, "Desperation."

"Desperation?" The men in the room questioned.

"This person is desperate enough to achieve something. They have a motive, and will only stop once successful."

"E adesso?" Antonio asked, wondering about their next move.

(What next now?)

Valerius raised from his seat - his Consigliere and Underboss following suit. He shrugged on his suit jacket, the gold of his cufflinks shone brightly in the moonlight. "We wait."

Dimitri looked at him, "And strike?"

"When I say so."

_

"Valerius?"

Valentina turned on the lights in the room and propped herself against the headboard. She was tired after a flight and had fallen asleep while waiting for Valerius. Most of the time, he was occupied in the warehouse or his study but he always left her a message - tonight he didn't.

"Did I disturb your sleep?" He asked, making his way towards her.

Valentina shook her head in denial while staring at him. His suit jacket was in his hands and the first few buttons of his shirt were undone with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Her eyes widened when she noticed the spots of blood on his white shirt. It wasn't unusual for him to come home covered in blood but every time he did, it caught her by surprise.

She softly patted the space beside her on the bed. Valerius sat down and she placed her hand on his, "What happened?"

He remained quiet, only studying her face. He slowly raised his hand and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear which had fallen from her bun. Valerius then leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, "Get some rest." He murmured while pulling away.

Valentina shook her head and grabbed his wrist before he could leave, "Something is bothering you." She said, "I will not let you go to sleep upset."

He stared into her eyes and she kept her chin raised, not backing down. If he was stubborn then so was she. Valentina knew when to give him space and when to push him.

Valerius sighed in defeat, "Mio cuore,"

"Mi amore," Valentina imitated him.

When he noticed that she was determined, Valerius eventually started. "It is the Russians. They have been pestering us with the help of a mole among the famiglia. I am just determined to put an end to this as early as possible."

Valentina nodded while running small circles on his hand, "Anything I can do to help?"

"I will be increasing your security. You are a target as well. Voglio proteggerti, ma non posso farlo senza la tua collaborazione." His voice held an underlying despair.

(I want to protect you, but I can't do it without your cooperation)

She placed her hand on his cheek, "I understand. I do." Valentina caressed his face slowly, and leaning forward, she placed a small kiss on his lips.

His hands went to her waist and he pulled her against him, his mouth pressed tightly against hers as Valerius deepened the kiss. She brought her hand to his hair, tugging the strands while moving her lips feverishly against his. Valentina grabbed his shoulders when he pulled away, her breathing heavy.

Valerius chuckled when he noticed her red cheeks, "You are still shy around me."

"I am not." Valentina defended herself. She let go of his shoulders and pushed him away playfully, "Go take a shower."

He raised his eyebrows at her, "You are not joining me?"

She stuck his tongue out at him while lowering herself in the covers, "I am quite comfortable at the moment."

Valerius let out a laugh and dimmed the lights. He caressed her head and placed a kiss against her temple, "Dream of me." He whispered while covering her with the duvet.

"Always." Valentina murmured with her eyes closed.

-

Valerius and Valentina are my babies. I love them so much. And I hope you all do too. Thank you for reading!