Page 139 of Empire of Temptation

Leaning against the wall, I propped one foot on the plaster. “Did my brother hire you to pay me a conjugal visit? Because I would not turn one down, bella.”

The skin of her neck turned red and her nostrils flared. “I want answers from you.” She put her arms on the table and lowered her voice to a whisper. “You walked into the GDF headquarters? Are youinsane?”

Madre di dio. She had to stop asking questions. “That is not how this works.” I pushed off from the wall and approached her slowly,my fingers unbuttoning my jumpsuit. “Would you like to get on your knees, or should I fuck you from behind on the table?”

“Stop it.” She shot to her feet. “Why are you acting like this?”

“What else did you expect when you followed me from New York? It’s obvious you are gagging for my dick just like you were there.”

“You know what? Fuck off.” She strode to the metal door leading out of the visiting room. “You can rot in here for all I care.”

She raised her hand to pound on the door, but I was on her in a flash. I caged her in, pressing her flat to the unforgiving metal door, then I put my mouth to her ear and kept my voice soft. “You should not be here. It is dangerous and foolish.”

Valentina inhaled sharply. “But?—”

“No, fiore mio. Get the fuck out of here and go back home.” Then I stumbled away from the door like she’d shoved me away. “This is your last chance, bambina. I’ll fuck you so good. I’ll make you scream so all the other prisoners can hear you.”

Thankfully, she heeded my warning. She slapped her palm on the metal. “I’m finished! Hey, let me out!”

“Don’t go so fast,” I crooned. “We can have fun. Maybe one or two of the guards can join us. They would love your big?—”

The metal door opened and the guard returned. “Signorina?”

Valentina glanced over her shoulder at me, her gaze lingering on my face. I watched her lick her lips, then she looked away. “I’m ready to go.”

He held the door open for her and Valentina disappeared. My soul withered when the metal closed with a loud snap. I hated what I’d just done. But it was for the best. I couldn’t risk anyone discovering who she really was or how we were connected. I couldn’t have the GDF investigating or following her, so there had been no choice.

Guaranteeing her freedom was more important than anything else, even if it meant ruining my chances at earning her forgiveness.

I dragged my hands through my hair. I had more problems now, as well. Everything was taking too long. I still hadn’t learned whereNiccolò was from D’Agostino, and now someone brought Valentina to Roma, helped her come to this prison. I suspected Gabriele, which meant he needed to be dealt with. Valentina could not stay in this country safely. It was only a matter of time before the GDF learned of her presence and tried to use her to get to her father.

I had to hurry. I went to the door and banged on it. When the guard appeared, I wasted no time in going through. “Take me back. I need to speak to my brother. Immediately.”

We started off for the cells. “Would you like to use the prison phones?”

“No, I’ll use one of the burners. I need privacy.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Valentina

Someone had punched him.

Someone punched that powerful, beautiful man in his beautiful face. Who? An officer? Another inmate?

As I walked through the prison corridors, I couldn’t help but worry. Prison had to be hell on earth for Luca. He wasn’t safe here, not with enemies at every turn, as well as guards who now had the chance to abuse the great Luca Benetti. What bruises were hiding under his clothing? Was he sleeping? The food must be terrible, especially for a food and wine snob like Luca.

I shook off the lingering anger at the hurtful things he’d said. It was clear he didn’t mean them, belittling me for the benefit of whoever was watching, but I hated hearing him speak like that. Sneering at me like I was nothing, a woman “gagging” for his cock.

He preferred for me to go away, but after seeing that bruise on his cheek?

Not a chance.

On the plane earlier I researched famous mafiabosses who were put into prison. Some were killed by other prisoners, while the rest grew old and died behind bars. None were found innocent and none were released. It was a grim sentence.

Now I had a choice. I could walk outside, where Gabi was waiting, and go to Luca’s home in Catanzaro. Sit around while his family tried to decide what to do.

But sitting around wasn’t really my style. I needed to dosomething.

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