Page 190 of Valentino

“No.” I force a smile. “Thank you.” I turn and walk back to the elevator and push the button.

Numb.

More numb than yesterday. Even more numb than the day before that.

It’s been three days since the shooting, three long days of not speaking to Val.

Or my best friend…or anyone that matters.

I have never felt so alone, everyone has completely blocked me out as if I never existed, let alone mattered.

I need to see Carlo; I need to tell him how much I hate him.

How he has completely ruined my life.

Not just this time either, more than once, and I now I can’t even go home because it’s a crime scene and I can’t get the vision of him bleeding out in my bathroom out of my head.

This visit was supposed to bring me closure.

The elevator doors open on the ground floor, and I step out and walk toward the cab rank when I see it. A group of men in suits standing around a blacked-out SUV.

My step falters as dark eyes hold mine. Valentino is leaning up against the side of his car, cigarette in hand.

My eyes search his.

The look he gives me is filled with pure contempt.

He thinks I’m here to visit Carlo.

I smile and wave and without a word he flicks the cigarette and gets into his car.

What are you doing?

I screw up my face in tears as I watch him drive away.

No….

His car takes the corner so fast it nearly goes onto two wheels.

My heart hurts in my chest…. My nostrils flare as I desperately fight to hold it together.

It’s not how it looks, I’m not here to visit him, I’m here to tell him to leave me the fuck alone. To leave you alone.

I look back to the group of men to see Romeo’s eyes fixed on me, his hatred for me is palpable. I can feel it from here.

Right back at you, asshole.

Fuck. You.

Something snaps deep inside and I march over to the group of men. “Romeo, I want to speak to you.”

“I have nothing to say to you.” His cold eyes hold mine.

“Listen here, asshole,” I spit. “I don’t know what you’ve fucking heard, but I have nothing to do with Carlo. I hid that phone to protect Valentino.”

The men collectively scoff.

“You all know me.” I look between them. “Do you?”