Page 58 of Heaven Help Me

She doubles over, her hands going to my chest for support as she wheezes.

“Oh my God! Our lovemaking almost burned down your house!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Valentina

I’m so not ready for Monday morning. Not after the busy weekend, the friends we had over, and the house fire we almost caused. I could do with a day to just rot on the couch. But Deuce is going into the boutique, stating that he left poor Lottie alone on Saturday with the onslaught of shoppers, and he needs to help out today. Which means I’m going too.

Why, you ask?

Because, apparently, I’ve grown so fond of this man that I can’t stand to sit around his house all day when he’s not here. In a move to show that I can work as a team, I offer to look over his books while he opens the shop. He gives me strict orders not to start doing anything shady. I’m slightly offended. I know exactly how to cook the books to evade the Feds, line my own pockets, and make it look legitimate, but I’d never do that to Saint’s Suits. I know what this place means to Deuce.

I’m blinking with surprise as I scroll through his spreadsheets. The man has let me into the entire backend of his store from inception to last week’s sales. It’s like giving the password to your cell phone to someone. It’s a level of trust I’ve never given anyone else, so to have it extended to me is…unsettling. Also really nice, if I’m being honest.

“You’ve got some explaining to do, young man.”

I raise my head away from the laptop and crane my head to see out the open door to the sales floor. I can’t see anyone from this vantage point, but I heard that woman’s voice crystal clear. It had the tone that makes your spine straighten and your “yes ma’ams” come out. Getting to my feet, I move to the doorway, wanting to see what the deal is. I’m sure Deuce can handle it, but I don’t care to hear someone dressing down my⁠—

Well, fuck. What is Deuce to me? My boyfriend? My friend? My person?

Yeah, let’s go with that. My person.

Birdie must have seen movement because her gaze swings from Deuce to me, her eyes wide and her energy crackling as bright as the red pants she’s wearing. She’s got gold sandals on, and if they came in a high-heeled version, I might be tempted to pick up a pair for myself.

“You!” She points at me, large rings on every finger clinking and sparkling.

My hand involuntarily goes to my chest. “Me?”

Deuce shifts slightly, putting himself between me and Birdie. It’s cute the way he thinks he needs to protect me from a little old lady. Although, with the way Birdie’s glaring at me, I might need backup.

“Don’t you act all innocent, little miss. I was told by a gentleman on Saturday that you’re not who you say you are. He said you’re part of a crime family!” Birdie hisses that last part, like she’s not sure she should even say the words out loud.

Deuce darts a look at me, then focuses back on Birdie. “Now, Birdie, who you been talking to?”

She barely spares him a glance. “I told you. A man. A man who says he knows Landry very well. So well, he knows her specialty is stabbings.”

Shit. She’s not wrong. I do prefer knives to guns. That’s no secret.

Well, here in Heaven, that should be a secret, but looks like the cat’s out of the bag. I step forward, right to Deuce’s side. I put a hand on his arm, hoping he knows what I mean by that quick touch. I’ll take care of this.

“Is this the kind of person you brought to our sweet little town, Deuce? A mobster? A knife-wielding psychopath? I thought you left all that stuff behind in New York.”

“Birdie?”

She zips her lips and shifts her gaze to stare me down as she waits for someone to respond. I don’t like her accusing Deuce. He’s done nothing but be kind by housing me and protecting me.

“It’s true. My name’s Valentina Ricci. I’m from New York, and while I was the head of the Barzettis at one time, I’m retired now. There was some commotion out there and Deuce’s mother thought I needed to hide out. Deuce has been kind enough to keep me hidden and protected. The man you spoke to on Saturday was probably the same man who’s been threatening me and put a brick through Deuce’s window.”

Birdie gasps, her bejeweled hand going to her throat. “He did what?”

Deuce takes over. “We thought he was gone, but looks like he’s not done trying to get to Valentina. Would you be able to describe him? Any remarkable facial features? Did you see what he drove? Anything you can tell us would be helpful.”

Birdie pulls herself up to her tallest height and I instantly recognize the strategy Deuce is going with. He’s redirecting Birdie to being helpful instead of being shocked at my identity. If we can get her focused on the man she spoke to, we can make her an ally in our cause.

“I didn’t see much of him since he had on a hat and sunglasses, but he was dressed in a polo and shorts. Looked like every other man out here.” She pauses, then taps a finger to her lips. “He was fit though. Filled out that polo like it was made for him, you know? Looked like you, Deucy, just shorter by six inches and wider by six inches.”

Deuce nods, then puts his hand on her shoulder. “Can we rely on you to keep this quiet for now? I need to keep Valentina safe and I can’t do that if everyone in town knows who she really is.”