Tilly : A Valentino Heir Novella (Valentino Heirs Book 3)

Chapter 6

I’ve spent all week watching this fucker’s every move. I know his habits, and right now, that predictability is what’s given me the advantage. He should have listened when I told him that whatever bullshit he was trying to charge Tilly with was over the second I dragged her out of that room.

There he is.Sergeant Murphy. I wait for him to enter the coffee shop. I know he’ll be in there for at least twenty minutes. Giving me enough time to do what I gotta do.

As soon as the doors close behind him, I walk up to his car. I shouldn’t be doing this in broad daylight. I know that. But I can’t wait any fucking longer. I need to be done with this fucker.

It takes me less than a minute to get inside his car. I pop the hood, walk around the front, and pull the device from my pocket. It’s small, and on the off chance anyone sees me, they won’t have a fucking clue as to what I’m doing here. This spot is pretty deserted, though. I finish the quick installation, close the lid, and lock his car back up.

There’s always this anticipation that builds before the blast. My body hums with excitement and my fingers tap against my thigh as I sit and wait.

The moment I see the fucker walk out of the coffee shop, my spine straightens and my eyes flick around the street. There are no crowds. There won’t be many casualties, if any. Which is exactly why this had to happen now.

I count down from ten as Murphy closes himself inside his car. Then I push out of my own vehicle and step into his direct line of sight. I want to be the last thing he fucking sees. I smile as I watch his arm drop from the wheel to the ignition.

Three, two, one… bang.

The blast isn’t big, but it’s big enough to engulf the car in flames. I watch his face through the shattered glass, only walking away when the smoke finally obscures my view.

This will send a message. If I say jump, you fucking start jumping. You don’t stop to ask how high. You don’t even pause to breathe. You just fucking jump.

I’m telling myself this has everything to do with me and that fucker’s clear lack of respect for my last name, and nothing to do with the fact he put Tilly in a compromising position.

“Where have you been?” Rafe asks the minute I step inside the corded-off VIP section at Sin.

“Out,” I say, heading straight for the bar.

The bottle girl smiles, putting a little extra sway in her hips while making her way over to me. I refrain from rolling my eyes and force myself to plaster on a smirk.

“Get me a bottle of Cinque,” I tell her before turning around and heading for my usual spot.

Rafe follows and sprawls out on the sofa across from me. “Really? Just out?” He lifts a questioning brow.

“Yes, just out,” I grunt.

“News reports are saying some pig was blown up in his car today,” Rafe says, his tone casual as he pretends to examine his right hand. Like he just left the nail salon or some shit.

I lift a single shoulder in a half shrug. “Not a great loss to the world. I’m sure.”

“Funny enough, it was the same guy who arrested your girl last weekend.” The fucker has a smile on his face that I want to wipe off with my fist.

“She’s not my girl,” I grit out. Wanting something does not make it yours. It’s a hard lesson to learn in life. Especially when you’re used to getting everything you want.

“Cool. So, since she’s not your girl, you don’t give a fuck that she’s down on the dance floor right now, grinding up against some creep with a popped collar and a pair of knock-off Ray-Bans.” He twists in his seat, and I follow his line of sight over the railing to the level below us.

My teeth grit together as I watch the fucker put his hands all over Tilly while she throws her head back and laughs. “I fucking told her to stay the fuck away from this place.” I jump up right as the bottle girl arrives with our whiskey.

“Mr. Gambino, is there anything else you need?” She peers up at me while batting her fake lashes.

“No, thanks. Leave it here.” I step around her and storm down the stairs.

I can feel Rafe’s eyes on my back. Son of a bitch knows exactly what I’m about to do. This is where he should be stepping in to stop me. Best friends are supposed to stop you from making epic mistakes. But, no, this fucker is just sitting back and watching me bring about my own downfall.

As soon as I step foot on the dance floor, I pull the preppy little shit off Tilly by the back of his collar. Then I reach out and wrap my fingers around her wrist.

“Follow me,” I growl and lead her in the opposite direction.

I should slow my stride. I can sense she’s having trouble keeping up with me. Right now, I’m too fucking angry to notice how fast I’m walking. I step into the elevator, dragging her along with me, and hit the button for the third floor. Tilly doesn’t say a word, not even when the doors open again and I tug her into my office and slam the door behind us.

I drop her arm and start pacing back and forth, pausing on occasion to look at her. “What are you doing here, Matilda?” I finally ask while running a hand through my hair.

She looks at me and takes a step forward. I step back. I need distance. Space between us. I cannot be close to her right now. I cannot lose control right now.

Tilly smiles up at me. “I’m here to sin, obviously.” Her sugary-sweet voice runs through me, setting every single nerve ending in my body aflame.

“No, you’re not,” I tell her.

“Actually, I am. And I was having fun dancing with my friends before you took it upon yourself to ruin my good time.”

“Friends? Is that what you call that asshole grinding up against you?”

“Well, he wasn’t a friend yet. But he could have been,” she says, taking another step closer. “I’m not really sure what your issue with me is, Antonio. But like I said, I’m here to sin. And since you’ve made it clear you don’t want to be my new favorite vice, I’m going to go back out to that dance floor and find someone who actually wants me.” She turns on her heel and walks towards the door.

Before I can think better of it, I’m following her, pressing the front of her body against the closest hard surface. My hand rests on the frame, holding the door closed, as I lean into her ear. “You want to sin, ragazza? You want to let go of that good girl persona and show the world how bad you can be?” I whisper before nipping at her neck.