Chapter 27
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
KATE
Warmth surrounded me, its comfort working overtime to keep me from waking. Reaching over, I expect to find Dante lying beside me, however when my fingers touched cold sheets, I shot up in bed.
The room is pitch black, not even the light from under the door is showing. Slipping from the bed, I tiptoe over to the door, recalling what Frankie said about my footfalls.
Opening the door, I make my way down the hall, stopping short when I enter Angelo’s room.
“What the…” I trail off, confusion making my heart rate increase. His bed is empty, the IV bag I replaced earlier, dripping slowly onto the wooden floor.
The house is eerily quiet, the sound of my pounding heart the only noise I hear. Searching the room, for what I don’t know, I turn and head for the door.
Entering the hall, I’m relieved to see the light in the kitchen is on. Hope fills my chest as I make my way into the room, stopping short once again when I see a strange woman sitting at the kitchen table.
“Who are?—”
“Oh my?—”
We say in unison, her features strikingly familiar. Narrowing my eyes, I search my memory trying desperately to recall where I’ve seen her before.
“Holy shit.” The woman pointed a perfectly manicured finger in my direction. As she moves to stand, recognition hits me like a ton of bricks.
“Valentina Marconi.”
“Please don't ask for an autograph, I’m on a break.”
Valentina was an award winning movie star who, according to Tiffani, was discovered while ordering coffee in front of some producer I’d never heard of. She had two blockbusters under her belt, however the latest film she’d starred in was a huge box office flop.
“What are you doing here?”
“Well…” She drew out the word as she walked around the table, her impossibly high heels clicking against the wooden floor. Her shorts were covered in sequins, and completely inapt for the winter weather. Her dark hair was streaked with highlights which in all honesty, could use a touchup. Her top, if you could call it that, was sheer and ended at the top of her abdomen. A keyhole cutout showed the surgical skill of her plastic surgeon.
“A week ago, I was enjoying a shower with Dante when he had to drop everything to come to Dallas.” Valentina got a far off look in her eyes which matched her cheshire grin. “Well, he didn’t drop everything.” Grasping her fake tits as she bit her bottom lip. “He of course begged me to come, but I had obligations I simply could not get out of.”
Crossing my arms over my chest. “I hadn’t heard you were dating anyone.” Keeping my face void of emotion, I could tell by her mannerisms she was lying through her perfect veneers. “Guess the paparazzi is leaving you alone.”
It was slight, but my jab hit its target.
“He wanted me to give you this.”
Valentina kicked my backpack across the floor toward me, the straps coming to lie on my bare feet.
“Where is Angelo?” Careful not to show my hand, I was skilled when it came to games like this.
“Don’t you mean Dante?”
“No.” Shaking my head, “I was hired to take care of Angelo.”
“Bullshit.” Crossing her arms to match my stance. “I can smell him all over you.”
“What you smell is Frankie’s pot roast.” Dropping my arms, I step over the backpack and head for the oven. Opening the door, I let out a breath as sitting in the center rack is a plate filled with food.
“You really should to be more picky with your bed partners, if this smells like sex to you.”
Valentina wrinkled up her nose, mocking a laugh as she rolled her eyes.
“Dante left because it’s Bellamia’s birthday.”
“Bellamia?” I echoed, feigning ignorance
“Yes, she’s?—”
“His dead wife, try again,” I interrupt, growing tired of the game. I need to know where they’d gone and if Angelo was okay. Unfortunately, the only person who could tell me that had a huge hard on for Dante.
“Doc, there you are.”
Snapping my attention to the door, I find a bruised and bloodied Johnny standing in the doorway.
“Oh, my god.” Tossing my plate to the side, I rush to where Johnny stands. “Come, let me have a look at you.” Cupping his face, my heart aches as he winces in pain.
“I’m fine, Doc.”
“It wasn’t a request,” I point to the vacant table as I head down the hall to Angelo’s abandoned room. Focused on gathering supplies, I fail to hear Valentina enter the room.
“Listen, I know how charming Dante can be.”
Not bothering to look up as I search for the suture kit I know is here somewhere.
“You’re not the first to fall for it, not by a long shot.” She laughs, as if it's the funniest thing she’s ever said. Like everything else about her, it’s fake as hell.
“Is there a point to your rambling? If there is, can you get to it already? I have a man who needs several stitches waiting for me.”
Valentina sways her hips and she moves further into the room.
“Know what your problem is, honey?” Her voice changes octaves, as her emotions get the best of her.
“Oh, thank god, someone is finally going to tell me what’s wrong with me.” Tossing my free hand in the air in an over exaggerated display.
“You fell for the oldest con in the book.” Sucking on her teeth, the sound of it making me cringe. “Handsome man pretending to fall for the geeky girl, saying what she wants to hear in order to get what he needs.”
Valentina picked up a package of gauze, twisting it around several times before tossing it to the empty bed.
“Dante got what he needed from you and now he’s gone back to his world, a place someone like you doesn't belong.”
Valentina runs her finger down her face to mimic a fake tear. “Now, you have two choices; you can take your bag, the car parked in the driveway and cry all the way home. Or , you can continue to play the hero, hoping Johnny will sing your praises to Dante and he in turn will rush back to Texas and rescue you right back.”
Rubbing my thumb and forefinger along my chin, I pretend to think about her scenarios. Snapping my fingers, my eyes widen in fake surprise.
“Or, and hear me out.” Holding up an open palm toward her, “I could choose option three. I recommend you call your acting coach and demand a refund for the shit job he’s done for you.” Waving my hand in her direction.
“While I didn’t see your last film, I did see the trailer. Ironically, it has the same plot line you just described. I also caught several of the reviews and, I’m paraphrasing here, Valentina’s character was unrelatable, not her best performance . Should I go on?”
I watched with far too much amusement as the smile melted from Valentina’s overfilled lips.
“You know, you may look exactly like my sister, but you will never win Dante’s heart the way she did.”