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“I just want to go home,” she said, and I swung my leg over the bike.
“And that’s where I’m going to take you,” I said and revved up the engine. I felt her wrap her weak arms around my waist.
“Are you taking me to Moira’s apartment?” I heard her ask and I looked over my shoulder to shake my head.
“I’m taking you to our home, the only place you need to be. You’re going to be safe there, the safest there. I’m sorry for thinking that you could be safe anywhere else,” I said, and Valentina leaned her head against my back.
“Thank you…” she said, in an exhausted voice, like she had no energy to say anything more. I was just glad that she was with me now and I had no plans of ever letting her go. Juan and his gang were never going to get their claws on her again.
Chapter 18
Valentina
Back at King’s apartment, he ran me a hot bath, and I spent an hour in there, trying to soothe my nerves. I’d dozed off at some point and didn’t wake up till King eventually came in to check up on me and helped me out of the bath. He cleaned my bruises and sterilized them and helped me change into one of his shirts that I pulled around me. It comforted me, and I felt safe now, finally at peace, like nothing could hurt me.
“I’m sorry, baby,” King whispered in my ears as he led me back to his bedroom. When I looked at him, for a second, I thought he was close to tears, but he controlled it quickly. A man like him was never supposed to cry, right?
“This wasn’t your fault. None of this was your fault,” I said and stroked his shoulder.
He helped me to bed, swinging my feet up to rest and then pulled the covers over me.
“I’m not sleepy anymore,” I argued and pouted my lips.
“You’re going to have to sleep now, and I’m not leaving this apartment till you have regained your strength fully,” he said and bent down on his knees and clutched my hands. I leaned over and kissed him on his forehead and smiled at him.
“Stop blaming yourself, King. You saved me…twice. I probably wouldn’t even be alive if it wasn’t for you,” I said, and he stroked my cheek. The touch of his rough hand on my skinniest shivers down my spine. Even after all these years, he was the guy who turned me on. I couldn’t have asked for a better man.
“And you’ve been so strong, you make me proud to be your man, Valentina,” he said and then kissing my fingers, he stood up.
“Where are you going?” I whined as I watched him walking towards the bedroom door. He turned to smile at me indulgently.
“You need to eat something. I’ve made you chicken soup,” he said, and then he left the room.
I sunk into the bed, surrounded by the scent of the man I was in love with. I coul
d hear him in the kitchen outside, tinkering about and getting the tray ready. Then I heard his cell phone ring and his raised voice. I tried to listen, but I couldn’t listen to the words. A few minutes later, King walked back into the bedroom, gripping his cell phone tightly in his hand.
I straightened up when I saw his face. He looked like he was ready to punch someone again.
“What’s wrong?” I asked him as he walked towards me.
“It’s Romero. He knows what happened and he wants to speak to you,” King said, and I stared back at him. His dark eyes had darkened, even more, his face was taut and humorless. I needed him to tell me what to do. I didn’t know if I even wanted to speak to my father.
“King…” I breathed, and he sighed.
“Speak to him if you want to, Valentina…he’s your father, it’s your choice,” he said, and I looked at the phone in his hand.
“What should I say?” I asked him, and he clenched his jaw.
“It’s up to you, babe. I don’t give a shit as long as you are safe,” he said and slid the phone into my hands.
I took it from him and stared at it for a few more moments. King was about to walk away, but I stopped him.
“Please stay here,” I pleaded with him, and he nodded and sat down at the end of the bed.
“Papi?” I said, bringing the phone close to my ear.
“Valentina! Oh, my baby girl! I’m so happy to hear your voice. Are you all right?” he sounded worried, like genuinely worried…but I wasn’t falling for it. My voice hardened quickly, as memories of everything I had endured in the past week came flashing through my head.
