Page 155 of Wicked Rivals

“Pack up your things, buddy. We’re leaving, and we’re not coming back. Do it right now, Enzo.”

I grabbed her shoulders, spun her around to face me, and backed her up against the wall.

“I said stop, goddamn it. Tell me what’s happening. What are you doing?”

Tears rolled down her cheeks, one after another. She finally made eye contact as she touched my face.

“You should know I love you, but that’s never going to be enough.”

My blood boiled with anger. My heart pounded like a motherfucker. I punched the wall beside her head.

Enzo charged at me, grabbed onto my arm. I threw him back, and he landed on the floor.

“You said you would stay,” I snarled. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again if that’s what this is about.”

Her lips curved into a small, sad smile.

“I let myself get caught up in a fantasy, and I lied… because I never intended to stay with you.”

A heavythudhit the front door.

Probably my men fucking around.

I ignored the nextthudas well.

Nothing else mattered but Val.

Holding on to her, not letting her leave me, keeping her from walking out on us again, that was my entire existence in that moment. My only reason to live.

A male voice shouted for me to open the door.

Valerie’s eyes widened. She stopped breathing.

I studied the fear and confusion in her eyes while holding her chin between my thumb and finger.

What the fuck was happening to her?

Then she pulled my mouth to hers, kissed me, and whispered against my lips.

“I’m so sorry, ace. I’m leaving you.”

Another unfamiliar voice echoed through the foyer, deeper this time, a man with a Chicago accent.

“Your boss has something that belongs to us.”

“Fuck you,” I heard Bruce say.

The clicking of a revolver’s hammer echoed next.

Again, that stupid fucking accent resonated.

“Don Moscatelli wants the girl back. Tell Vignali to hand her over immediately.”