Valentina had assumed she would have felt more emotional in this moment. Like the sight of her father being carted off in handcuffs would suddenly unleash this well of empathy for the man who had helped bring her into the world. She thought that the softness she had once felt for him would rise to the surface. Maybe she’d get flashbacks of her childhood, when he’d actually sit and read with her or take her for ice cream after a good grade.
But all Valentina felt was relief as she sat in a car with her mother further down the block.
It had happened fast for something that had taken her years to plan. She had thought several times about finding a way to kill him but that would just be using the same playbook he had. The man cared about nothing more than his reputation so killing his reputation seemed to be the only way for her at the moment. She knew she had to be smart. She had to build a case, she had to find things that were so severe, so sturdy, that not even his lawyers could talk their way out of this one.
His targeting of Mikayla Beaumont had sent her over the edge, an urgency rising up in her chest as she watched him act like the Godfather once again. As she watched the town almost get swept away in sand and realized that maybe she cared about the people here. Maybe. But she had to draw the line somewhere. He was out of control and even worse, he was a likely winner for Mayor. She knew that if she didn’t stop him now, or at least deter him for some time, then they would never be able to turn back.
So she set the wheels in motion. Left breadcrumbs for the ATF agents and local cops. Enough for them to take Mikki’s article to heart. And then came her final move.
Valentina could feel the stress leaving her body as she got out of bed and pulled on her robe, glancing back at Roman on the bed before she let him know that she had invited him over for more than letting him attend to her beautiful body. She pulled a thick folder from her dresser and dropped it down on the bed next to him. She knew he’d ask questions and she was ready for them and clear that he needed to be as quick about this as possible. And with another kiss to his cheek, she sent him on his way before going to see her mother and brother to let them know what she had done.
And Roman had of course delivered as she knew he would. Or else she wouldn’t have trusted him with it in the first place.
So Valentina put the car in drive as they dipped her father’s head into the police car. She was slow until the car turned down a larger street and pressed her foot to the gas so they could pull up beside the police car. She kept her speed steady as she and her mother turned to look at Gio in the back seat. And as they set their eyes on him, they both smiled. Beatrice even blew him a kiss before they sped past them and turned down the next road, in search of an appropriate celebration.
☆ — knuckles about white as snow gripped the steering wheel. was she mad? annoyed? maybe more like amused. picking up giovanni was definitely a wonderful past time. usually, it ended up with them both drinking together or other things. passing through traffic was not helping her anxiety. her thoughts where mentally praying the boy stayed in one spot. trying to find someone on these streets could take hours. her gps from her phone called out directions. taking a few turns her range rover stopped in front of a local bar. her hazel hues roamed over the many bodies standing outside until she found him. just the sight of him made her chuckle. he was clearly intoxicated. aspen rolled down the window before calling out. “attention giovanni your ride is here. attention giovanni your ride is here,” an amused smirk couldn’t be helped before she started laughing. grabbing the door handle she got out of the car. with a few quick strides, she was face to face with her damsel in distress. “saving you again huh?”
“Is it me or did you get a smaller place than I did?” Is the first thing Alek says when he walks into Gio’s place unannounced. He’s just teasing his good friend. He has yet to see the entire house. He places a bottle of scotch on the nearby table and makes himself at home, waiting for the other to show his face.
austin: i need guy time
austin: i mean i got ace but like bro.. i miss you
austin: and you’re losing uncle points over here
austin: okay i hit my cheesy quota for the month hi how are you ?
