Chapter 8
eight
Valentina
I close the gym door behind me and get ready for training in Nico’s office. Since I got engaged and started planning my wedding, I’ve had very little time for training, and with only one month before the big day, saying I’m stressed is an understatement.
Ever since my trip to New York, I’ve focused on the wedding and helping Nico as much as I can before Max takes my place. I even listened to Gabriel and thought about the consequences before I acted.
Gabriel showed me the penthouse. Even with my fidgeting whilst exploring, I managed to stay calm.
Gabriel also reassured me that whatever I don’t like, I can change.
I might change things when I move there, but I like how he’s made the place feel warm.
He also mentioned that a housekeeper comes three times a week. Hearing that was a relief.
As much as I wanted to disagree, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to spend time with him when he insisted on accompanying me home on a private jet.
When I asked about my bike, he said someone would bring it to me.
He only left when he handed me over to Nico and made me promise that I wouldn’t travel to New York until the wedding, to which I requested that he doesn’t ignore my texts or calls.
He has kept his promise in the form of short texts.
I guess it’s better than nothing. Unlike Gabriel, I talk to Patrizia a lot, and not just because she delivers information about him.
She is genuinely interested in me and my well-being.
The gym is empty tonight. I came here late to train because I need to let off some steam before I lose my mind. Tomorrow is my last dress fitting, and my mother is driving me nuts. After that, I need to decide on a cake, and I’m still waiting for an answer from Gabriel about what he prefers.
I let out all of my wedding frustrations on the bag, and I don’t hear the door open until I realize I have company.
“Look what we have here.”
I stop hitting the bag and turn my attention to my right, which is where the voice came from.
A man is dressed in black, his face covered with a black balaclava.
I look to my left, and the blood in my body runs cold as I realize I’m surrounded by four men, also wearing the same outfit.
I look around, but they are blocking my only way out.
One of them tsks. “There’s no use looking for the way out because the only way out is through us, and that isn't happening.”
I swallow and try to control my voice. “What do you want?”
“We come bearing a wedding present for you.” I look between them, and my breath hitches. Realizing I’m in danger, the only thought that crosses my mind is that I might need to fight them.
I take a step back, but in a second, two of the men approach and grab me.
I hit one of them in the face and the other in the balls, but still, I don’t get away as the other two attack me.
A hand grabs my hair, and I’m pulled backwards, and one man spits in my face.
I try to get free, but before I can, I’m kicked in the gut, and the air leaves my lungs.
I fight for breath as I land on my knees on the floor.
A foot collides with my stomach, one, two, three times. The little strength I had disappears. Still, I try to crawl and get away.
Another hand grabs my hair and pulls, throwing me onto my back. “Mario sends his regards, you slut.”
My eyes widen. These are Mario’s men, and if he sent them, it’s either to kill me or to damage me before the wedding.
“Now, let’s have some fun!” another one says, and from the corner of my eye, I can see him unbuckling his pants.
I get on my hands and try to stand just in time to be kicked with a boot to my face.
My eyes explode with stars, and my mouth fills with the copper taste of blood.
A cry escapes my mouth as I lie on my stomach on the floor, hands grabbing my waist and pulling down my pants.
I panic and start to kick, turning onto my back.
I manage to kick the bastard in his stomach, not that it has any effect.
He laughs and launches at me, grabbing my leg.
“Mario requested that we make sure you're damaged goods before your wedding. Plus, he gets off on watching you get hurt.” Someone laughs, and from my left, I see one of them recording the attack on the phone. I fight against his grip.
I can’t let this happen to me. Mario will not win.
“Hold her.”
Two of them grab my upper arms, preventing me from moving. I turn my head to the right side, ignoring the bastard who is grabbing my panties and tearing them, and I bite the hand holding me. That earns me a fist in my face, and I black out.
When I open my eyes, I can’t see clearly, but the pressure on my torso releases, and I hear them arguing. “There’s no time; we need to go.”
“It will take less than a minute.” I feel a nudge between my legs, but it’s gone in a second, and I hear the stomp of their feet as they run away.
“What the fuck?” The worried voice of Mack eases my body, and I let myself go and surrender to the darkness.
“Valentina, wake up.” Something cold is placed on my face, and I open my eyes. Mack’s worried gaze greets me. “I’m calling an ambulance,” he says and grabs his phone.
“No!” I hold his hand. “No ambulance.”
“I need to call Nico, then.”
“No! Don’t call anyone. No one is to know what happened.”
He huffs. “One look at you and everyone will know.”
“I’ll deal with that. And you’ll make sure to keep it between us.”
“But, Valentina, you need a hospital,” he urges.
I lift my eyes to his, pleading. “No! Help me to the showers and leave me.”
“Do you at least know who they are?”
“People who will regret the day they were born.”
With Mack’s help, I stand from the couch in my brother’s office, wrapping a cover over my body. Mack must have carried me here and taken care of me.
I walk into the shower with his help. “I’ll be outside if you need anything,” he says.
I stand under the cold shower, inspecting my body with my hands, questioning what they did to me. While I watch the blood washing off my body and down the drain, I make a promise to myself.
I will make them pay. Every one of them.