Luciano’s pulse raced, as the stranger’s soft lips rode his willing ones with reckless abandon.
Although his eyes were closed, he felt Lyon, his head security take a step closer to stop them.
Discreetly, he raised a hand, gesturing for him to stand back.
He was interested in seeing whatever this was until the end.
The end did come abruptly, when Valentina got a hold of her senses.
As if hit by a thunderstorm, she broke the kiss, and took a step back.
"Oh my God! I’m so sorry that happened. I must have confused you for someone else. Forgive me please." As she spoke, the corner of her eyes scanned around to ensure Natalia had broken through the barrier.
The people around them watch keenly, and with held breaths. Waiting almost impatiently for what was to happen to the bold girl.
Luciano’s eyes twinkled in amusement through his mask, as he licked his lips, wet with a mixture of her cherry gloss and saliva.
"Ragazza." His voice, a deep velvet rumble called out to Valentina who was already making a turn to exit.
She was going to ignore him, and just hurry away anyway, when she felt someone grab her hand.
Her head snapped back in surprise, and there he was.
"I said–"
"I heard what you said. I just don’t care."
Luciano’s grip on her tightened, as he pulled her to his side, and continued towards the archway.
Gasps, and silent whispers filled the entire room. Their hawk-like gazes followed Luciano, and the strange girl.
"Look, Sir. I’m quite certain this is all a misunderstanding that can be resolved amicably. I really didn’t mean to kiss you. It was a common mistake anyone could make." She pleaded her case desperately.
The last thing Valentina wanted was to be glued to the side of a man who looked like he could snuff out a man’s life by simply hugging them.
Her eyes had to climb up an invincible ladder just to level with his head, and she didn’t even consider herself short!
"Sir, are you listening to me?"
The guards standing by the archway all bowed to Luciano, and then stepped aside for him to go through.
So he’s important? No wonder he thinks he can just do whatever he likes. My freaking hand hurts. Ugh!
"Well you kissed him. Who asked you to?"
"Shut up!"
She silenced the voice in her head, as they stepped into the special room.
Valentina understood the partition placement now.
First thing her eyes caught was a
Tiffany and co diamond encrusted purse clutched tightly to the wrinkly arms of a woman.
Her gaze carried her up to the woman’s ears. "
Hell yeah!
" An impressed smile almost slipped out of her face when she saw the diamond earrings.
But it wasn’t just Valentina doing the scrutiny.
The influence of the man holding her hands was projected heavily once more, when all of the conversations stopped just so they could catch a glimpse of him, as he walked towards the area marked for him.
What she didn’t know was that he wasn’t just the one they stared at. Their curious gazes also followed Valentina, wondering who the hell she was, and how she had gained a position next to Luciano De Luca.
"
Luce Nera!
" I didn’t think you would make it!"
Valentina heard the cheerful voice, and looked up to see that not only had they stopped walking, the owner of the voice was approaching them too.
Frantically, Valentina’s eyes searched for Natalia.
Her sharp gaze had just moved past something, when it recoiled back on feeling a sense of familiarity.
It was Natalia alright. Hiding behind a golden coated pillar, shoulders slouched, whilst her eyes followed around the man that now approached them. The man who happened to be her biological father.
She felt Valentina’s gaze, and shifted hers so that theirs locked the second they met.
"I’ve got you. Just keep your eyes on me." Valentina spoke with her eyes.
She nodded in understanding.
"My man!" Giovanni Ferrari hailed on getting to them.
Luciano let go of her hand to shake the hands of Giovanni.
"Nonsense!" He hissed, and went in for a hug instead.
Oh!
Valentina watched the bromance between the older and younger man with fascination in her eyes.
"I’m glad you came, okay?" Giovanni smacked him across the arm, and took a step back.
"Me too! That is excluding the fact you brought in one of your whores to a party as classy as this."
Huh?
Valentinas shifted attention to the two women that certainly trailed behind Giovanni.
One younger, the other slightly older. Obviously a mother-daughter duo.
"Why did you bring your whore here, amore mio?" She stopped directly in front of him, but her gaze was pinned on Valentina.
"Uhmmm, I think you must have gotten the wrong person. I’m not a whore," Valentina quickly realising where all of his misunderstanding was headed, defended herself.
"Oh you don’t say," she clutched her chest dramatically, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "So tell me then. Why are you with an engaged man? Are you one of those pathetic escorts looking for a handout?" She waved her finger covered in a diamond ring across Valentina’s face to prove her point.
The corner of Luciano’s mouth curved into a half smile, as he watched the commotion unfold without saying a word to put out the fire.
"Daniela, you’re making a scene. Let it go," her mother whispered.
"Yeah Daniela, listen to your mother. Let it go. For the last time, I am not interested in your man." As she spoke, she gave Natalia instructions with her hands to come over.
She had stolen the attention once more, and everyone, including the guards, were glued to the scene.
"Then why are you with him?" Her lips snarled, as she fired back.
Giovanni leaned into his wife’s ears, whispering for her to take Daniela away before everything further escalated.
"Why are you questioning me when your man is right there? He’s the one who dragged me in here. Ask him!" Valentina hissed, getting irritated.
At this point, everyone was looking and listening, which further fuelled Daniela’s rage.
"I know your type. You love to play with things that are not, and can never be yours. Not this one. He’s mine alone. Do you understand?!"
Valentina was too distracted making sure Natalia was on her way to respond to Daniela.
Heh!
"Now she’s ignoring me?" She scoffed. "Hey," her hands brushed against Valentina’s shoulders. "Who do you think you are?"
"Don’t fucking touch me, are you insane?!"
Luciano knew he had to step in now. The fun part was over, and in about Thirty seconds, Daniela and her penchance for childish tantrums would ruin the entire night for everyone.
" Belle, that’s enough."
Valentina used the break from the crazy girl who was being comforted by her man to gauge how close Natalia was.
And in that moment, she saw it. A guard, his eyes marked closely on Natalia, as he slowly made his way towards her.
Bam!
Instincts kicked in, and Valentina bolted across the room, straight towards Natalia.
She snatched her hands. " Run!"
The guests gasped, as they watched both girls fly over tables, and shove past other guests in an attempt to flee.
Luciano’s amused gaze followed Valentina, his interest beyond piqued now.
"What is happening, Val?" Natalia asked in a panic.
"I can’t explain, just don’t slow down!"
They managed to run past the archway door, and headed straight for the main door.
"Stop those girls!" One of the guards going after them communicated to the guards at the other end.
But before they could grasp what was going on, the girls had burst out through the gilded doors.
They tasted it. Freedom, so close. Just within their reach.
However, before they could fully embrace it, two hands covered their faces from behind.
One snap, and the world went blank.