Page 18 of Unforgettable Underboss

“What the fuck?”

“He’s lying.”

Discord and infighting break out among the officers, each pointing their finger at someone else. The group dismantles as one cop leaves, followed by another, none of them wanting to be the last person standing on our land.

I spin around, needing to hold Valerie, touch her, and reassure her that my momentary lapse in judgment is over. I’m still confused and hurt, but she said she loved me. That has to mean something.

Only… she’s not here.

“Val—”

“Enrico,” Aurelio’s deep voice cuts me off. The Boss stands a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest. “Do you want to tell me what the fuck just happened? Did we not agree to a lockdown? How the hell could you be so ignorant as to let a complete stranger into your home?”

“It was before the lockdown. I didn’t know,” I reply lamely. “I have no excuse, Boss. I know it’s crazy, but I trust her. I should’ve insisted on getting her story sooner, and yes, Valerie could have given me the details earlier, but I believe she didn’t think this would happen.” The broken angel I scooped up from the street outside Grimaldi’s nearly a week ago was terrified and needed protection. She wasn’t thinking about her brother as a cop who could use her as leverage. She was simply running away from a monster.

“Boss, we need to get him to Doc Bianchi,” Marco says. I’m unsure who he’s referring to, but then Marco tips his chin in my direction.

I look down at my left arm, noticing for the first time that my suit is soaked in blood. Apparently, that bullet didn’t whiz past me. It grazed my bicep.

“Fuck,” Aurelio says under his breath. “This conversation is far from over. But I can’t have you lose an arm or bleed out. Get cleaned up. We’ll finish this later. I expect Valerie to be present at our next meeting. I want the truth from both of you, and then we’ll see where the cards lie.”

“But Valerie…” I wince, my breath hitching as pain radiates from my left arm. The combination of shock and adrenaline must have kept the wound numb until now.

“Shut up and get yourself to Doc.” Aurelio shakes his head and lets out an exasperated sigh.

I hate that I’ve disappointed him and he feels betrayed. But right now, I have more pressing worries. Like where Valerie ran off to.

“I’ll be fine,” I grit out.

“Stubborn ass,” Marco says from his position next to me. “But I get it. I’d go after my girl before worrying about myself, too. Here, let me…” Marco rips a large strip of cloth from the shirt he’s wearing and binds the open wound on my arm.

I hiss as he ties a knot in the makeshift bandage and tightens it. “Thanks,” I manage before taking a few deep breaths.

Without another word, I head inside my house, praying that Valerie is hiding somewhere. Even as I wander through each room, I already know she’s gone. I can’t feel her presence, her warmth, her light anywhere.

Circling back to the kitchen, I halt when I see a folded sheet of paper that looks like a page from Valerie’s sketchbook. My stomach sinks, knowing it’s a goodbye letter before I even pick it up.

When I unfold the thick sheet of paper, I’m shocked to see a portrait of myself. Severe features blend with a soft look in my eyes. I don’t know how she captured my essence while also showing me how much I’ve changed in such a short time. It’s all thanks to Valerie. I’ve only ever let my guard down that much with my angel, and I know I’m the only one she’s shown her vulnerable, precious heart to.

Her neatly scrawled note has tears stinging the backs of my eyes while my stomach drops to the floor.

I’m so sorry for putting you in danger, for being a burden and a liability. I'm sorry for everything. I can’t thank you enough for your kindness, but you don’t have to worry about me anymore. I’m already gone.

I fucked this up. I need to find her and make it right. I need to fix this.

9

VALERIE

Idon’t know where I’m running to, only that I need to get as far away as possible. My feet slap against the pavement as I pump my arms and push myself to keep going, keep running, keep moving forward.

I have nowhere to go, but that doesn’t matter. I don’t belong here anymore. I don’t belong anywhere.

My side starts to cramp, but I don’t stop. I can’t. If I slow down, even a little, I’ll be forced to focus on what a complete and utter mess I made of everything. I haven’t run this much in years, and it shows. Everything hurts from head to toe, but the pain is a good distraction.

I turn down one street and then another, dipping into alleys every once in a while just in case someone is following me.

I don’t think my brother is after me. I stayed around long enough to hear the head of the Caparellis shut down the cops and call them on their bullshit. Then I shoved my scant belongings into my backpack and left a note for Enrico. I waited until the last of the police officers fled the scene, sneaking out through the iron gates before turning in the opposite direction and sprinting away as fast as possible.

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