Chapter 3
three
Valentina
He walked into the club and stared straight at me, completely unaware of who he was looking at. His mistake.
After that realization, the plan played out in my head immediately, and I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to get under him. If only the idiot who works for that bastard, Mario, hadn’t shown up, I would now have a popped cherry and a dream that came true.
I sigh as I look at the ceiling of my room and close my eyes. I slide my hand under my panties toward the pool between my legs and insert one finger, then another as the memory of his tongue and his hands on my skin plays like a movie in my head over and over.
I imagine him spinning me over and fucking me from behind as he holds my hair in his fist. A moan escapes me as a sensation travels down my spine and fills my belly, finally exploding between my fingers.
After I come down from my orgasm, I fall asleep with a smile on my face because, even if I didn’t get with him, I still got more action than I ever imagined I could have.
I slip out of my bed after my brain has regained its functions.
Touching myself has become my daily ritual ever since that night in the club.
Every time, I fantasize about him; it ends differently.
Nevertheless, I end up truly fucked by the man I’ve been obsessed with for years.
A quick shower and some coffee are the second part of my ritual.
I hum a song in my head but get interrupted.
“You’re in a good mood,” my brother says from behind me.
I turn to face him and smile. “I have a surprise for you.”
He raises a questioning eyebrow. “What kind of surprise?”
“A few days ago, I had brunch with some wives, and we had an interesting conversation. Long story short, you’ll receive a call today from some family members and, in exchange for their support, you will offer them money so they can fund their businesses.”
“They didn’t want any money. What changed?”
“Remember my camera? It holds some evidence that would put them away for years, and not because of selling drugs or even racketeering.”
He chuckles. “I like that camera, and I don’t even know what it looks like.”
The camera holds a lot of evidence. Some of that evidence is now in the possession of the district attorney. Evidence against my father. Nico also made sure he didn’t speak in exchange for a deal. I didn’t ask him how he did it; I just know he will never talk.
“It’s worth more than you can ever imagine.”
“The timing of this couldn’t be better. Cosa Nostra is looking to work with us. They want more of our goods, and I need their alliance.”
“You think they’ll agree?”
“They just ordered one more shipment. They’ve got something going on, and they need my goods. I’m going to make sure Catalano is here for the next handover.”
“When is the handover?”
“As soon as I have the merchandise tomorrow, I’ll make arrangements.”
“Do whatever it takes for the alliance. Having them on our side will only make us stronger and will get the Commission off our backs.” I take a step to the side and look at the entrance door before concentrating on Nico. “What did you do about our father?”
His lips twitch. “He wants to talk, but he’s too proud to do that. He would rather die than be remembered as a rat.” He shakes his head. “At least he still values loyalty.”
Yup, and I knew that. My father led the Camorra with an iron grip. He was known for the way he handled traitors, even if it was over a petty thing. Everything has a price, and Nico knows that, hence his deal with the Commission. However, my concern is something else.
I bite the inside of my cheek. “What about Mario?”
He shrugs. “Mario doesn’t know about the Commission. Besides, his father is the one he listens to, and since you ended the engagement, he isn't in favor of my taking over.”
I narrow my eyes. “What about him staying in prison?”
He tilts his head to the side, his eyes searching my face. “Why are you so concerned? The engagement is off.”
I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. “Don’t answer my question with a question. Mario isn't as nice a man as you all think.”
“Look, I know Mario has expectations. Not that it’s a secret, hence the club he owns.” He stops speaking, and all I can do is stare at him with confusion. I guess my ex had secrets that no one shared with me, not before, and definitely not during our engagement. His brows furrow. “You didn’t know?”
“Do I look like I did? And whatever everyone was hiding from me, I’m sure it isn’t as bad as my every encounter with him during our engagement.”
He places his hands on my upper arms and runs them up and down. “Will you tell me?”
I shrug. “Maybe one day.”
“I’m sorry, Vale, but he may get out of prison. But no matter what, I will not let him come near you.”
“Thank you, Nico. And I will never give him or any other man a chance to hurt me again.”
I get off my bike and enter the club, ignoring the catcalls. Mack is dealing with those idiots, and as much as I want to break their noses, I can’t. I need to earn their respect.
There are two types of members in our organization: those who have accepted the changes and earned our trust, and those who haven’t quite gotten the memo.
Nico has managed to get Don Salvatore to come here for the weapon exchange, and they will discuss their alliance.
I have to prepare the club for everything that will happen after the meeting.
I go through security, checking that the staff is trustworthy. I confirm the dancers and girls for entertainment, the food I ordered will arrive on time, and the VIP lounge will be cleared and prepared for their arrival.
It's an important night, and if the alliance is agreed upon, there will be celebrations. If not… well, that’s not an option. Nico needs this deal, and they’re desperate. If I heard right, they’re on the verge of war.
Since I wasn’t at the gym this morning, I texted Max to meet me there for training.
I usually train with Nico, but I can substitute for one of the triplets.
No matter that the gym is Nico’s, I still get side-eyes from the guys.
There’s only one other girl here, but she's an outsider. How that’s different, I’m still trying to figure out.
Small steps are the only way for me to reach my goals.
I freed myself from a marriage I didn’t choose.
I can train in the gym again. The most important thing is that I have my place beside my brother.
Hopefully, this will be more than enough for other women in our world to be able to do what they want.
I cross the street and speedwalk toward the gym; I need to let some steam off, considering all I could think about was Gabriel Savastano while I prepared for his and his don's arrival. All this time, I haven’t been able to get him out of my mind, and all kinds of scenarios have crossed my mind about what might happen if he sees me again.
Will he acknowledge me? Or will he act like he doesn’t know me? Maybe we could finish what we started.
Should I be pining over him so hard? Maybe that’s not the best thing to do, but I’m getting better at not being obsessed. If I had just gone with him that night to his room, I might have gotten over him.
I still haven’t found the idiot who works for my ex.
Not because I want to retaliate, but because I feel like I’m being watched.
I need to make sure Mario understands that our engagement is in the past, and there’s no going back.
I punch the bag as hard as I can, imagining Mario’s face.
I wish I could print his picture and glue it onto the bag.
I hit it one more time. I need to warm up enough so I can go in the ring with Max.
“You think you’re one of the men now? This isn’t the place for you.” A mocking voice stops me from talking to myself.
I take a deep breath, ignore the man, and punch the bag, this time imagining his face.
I know who the idiot is. I just don’t know how he’s still allowed in the gym with all the shit that spews from his mouth.
The main problem is that they’re all young, and instead of wanting changes, they’re living in the same old-fashioned, chauvinistic patriarchy.
“I said, get out of here.” He catches my bag and holds it in his hands.
I narrow my eyes at him. “How many times do I have to tell you to mind your own business? This gym,” I motion at it with my hand, “belongs to my brother. He’s made it clear that women are allowed here. So, if you have any problems with it, don’t let the door hit you on your way out.”
I may look calm, I may sound calm, but I’m fuming. The only reason I’m not making a scene is that the moron in front of me, Diego, is one of the best fighters and brings money to my brother. It’s the only reason we tolerate him.
He laughs. “You wish. I’m not sure your brother would like that. I bring him lots of money with my winnings.” His smile spreads. “But I know another way you can convince me. One thing I heard you're good at.”
I raise my eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”
“Spreading your legs.”
I don’t let him finish that thought before I launch at him with a strength I didn’t know I possessed.
I swing at him, but he dodges the hit, and his smirk prompts me to knee him in the balls.
Before I can think about my actions, my fist collides with his face.
I use all the strength I have and hit him in his gut, leaving him breathless until he’s on the floor.
I straddle him and use my fists to keep hitting his face.
His blood splashes on my fists and I can hear the crack of his nose, followed by his moans. I raise my fist to hit him one more time, but a hand wraps around my fist and then another around my waist, and I’m pulled off him.
“Calm the fuck down!” Nico’s grip on my waist loosens, and I’m placed on the floor. “What the hell is going on?”
I don’t answer. I’m just trying to breathe, so my jaw, which has been locked this whole time, can loosen.
“Shit. Breathe. I need you to calm down. Catalano and Savastano are here.” He looks over my shoulder. “Come.”
He turns me and walks me toward the men. My eyes lock with Gabriel’s, and my anger subsides enough for me to unlock my jaw so I can smile.
“Give me five. Feel free to look around,” my brother says to the men and directs me toward his office.
I can feel heat on the back of my neck. I just know it’s him. I bite my lip and smile. I guess our last encounter affected him after all.
The door closes behind me, and I walk inside into the middle of the office, which has only one desk and a chair. It also has an old sofa, where my brother used to sleep sometimes. I wouldn’t sit on it, let alone sleep there.
“What the hell happened?”
I exhale and turn toward my brother. “He was just being an idiot. Nothing I’m not used to.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Do I want to know?”
I look at him, contemplating my answer. Maybe I should tell him and let him kill the dickhead. But as soon as that thought crosses my mind, it disappears. This is my fight. I want to earn respect, not get it through the fear my brother enforces.
“I can handle my own battles, thank you.”
He narrows his eyes. “Your choice. Now, back to business. We didn’t discuss the length of Catalano’s stay here.
If everything goes as planned, I want to bring them to the club to celebrate.
I need you to empty the VIP area for us and organize hors d'oeuvres and drinks as usual.
Also, I know you may not like what I ask next, but still, it's expected. I need you to organize entertainment. Check with the girls who are already at work and maybe find a couple more.”
I cross my arms, pursing my lips. “Why would I be against girls’ entertainment? They work at the club, after all. What I’m against is non-consensual stuff. It's their choice how they entertain those men.”
He raises his hand. “Hey, I’m sorry if I misinterpreted. Also, I need you to join us tonight. If you're to be by my side, we need to start somewhere, so why not from tonight?”
A smile spreads across my face. “I will be there. You can count on that.”