Page 19 of Unforgettable Underboss

Stupidly, I look over my shoulder to ensure I’m not being followed. The motion throws me off balance, and I flail my arms to keep from face-planting. I regain my composure only to have my shoe catch on an uneven slab of cement.

I hit the ground with a thud, biting back a yelp when a small pebble lodges itself into the palm of my right hand. Pushing myself up, I wince at my throbbing knees and sore foot. When I look down at my hands, I observe the scrapes and puncture marks from catching the brunt of my weight in the fall.

I take a few shaky steps forward before my knees buckle, and I stumble backward into the side of a building. With a heavy sigh, I lean against the wall and slide down until I’m sitting on the ground. Now that I’m no longer running at full speed, every muscle in my body screams at me in protest. I don’t think I could stand even if I wanted to.

My attention is drawn to the click of high heels striking the pavement. As the steps grow closer, I squeeze myself into a ball to hide from whoever is headed my way.

“You okay, sugar?” a female voice asks from a few feet away.

I lift my head slightly, taking in her skin-tight sequin dress, diamond Dior choker, and Louis Vuitton handbag. She takes a long drag from her cigarette, the smoke curling around her aging face. Her cheaply dyed blonde hair is out of place with her designer accessories. I’ve drawn portraits of many sex workers in this city, each one with a unique story. While I don’t know for certain that’s her line of work, she meets all the hallmarks.

“Do you need help, hon?” the woman asks.

I give her as much of a smile as I can muster up and shake my head. “No, I’m fine,” I tell her. “Really,” I insist when she gives me a skeptical look. “Just regrouping.”

“Regrouping in an alley behind a dumpster?” she questions. The woman steps forward and offers me a cigarette, which I politely decline. “Smart choice. I never shoulda started the nasty habit.” She looks me up and down and nods once. “You’re going to make it,” she declares. “I can tell you’re tough. Whatever you’re regrouping from will pass, and then you’ll tell the whole goddamn world to suck your dick.”

Her statement pulls a laugh from me despite the gnawing sense of dread deep in my chest.

“Proverbially speaking, of course,” she adds with a grin. “Listen, do you need a job?”

I know what she’s offering but no part of me is tempted to accept. There’s no judgment for this woman, and I know many sex workers feel empowered by their profession. Well, the ones who choose it for themselves, that is. It’s just not something I’m capable of. I may be desperate, but I’m not that desperate. Yet.

“No, but thank you. You gave me the pep talk I needed to make it another day,” I tell her truthfully. I’ve never felt particularly tough, but maybe this stranger sees something I don’t.

She gives me one last nod and continues on her way. Just goes to show that no matter how dark the world gets, you can find human kindness in unexpected places.

I drag myself up from my crouching position between the wall and the dumpster, though it takes a monumental effort. Rolling out my shoulders, I take a few tentative steps down the alley, walking gingerly on my sore ankle from my fall. I hobble to a small patch of green grass with a single bench and a water fountain. In this desert climate, and especially in this over-developed city, it qualifies as a park.

I plop down on the bench rather ungracefully and set my backpack next to me. It’s all I have to my name. Nothing more than a few changes of clothes, my sketchbook, and charcoal pencils. Maybe I should find that lady and tell her I’ve reconsidered her job offer.

Even though the sun's unrelenting rays beat down on me, I can’t seem to warm up. A shudder runs through my body, leaving a chill in its wake that I can’t get rid of. Warmth pours down my cheeks, and it takes me a second to realize I’m crying. My breath comes out in short bursts, dragging up more and more anxiety with each stuttering inhale.

I can hardly breathe, and my vision narrows to a pinprick of light. What do I do now? Where do I go? Will Enrico be kicked out of the Caparellis because of me? Oh, God, is he going to beexecutedfor harboring me?

“Valerie, thank god,” a familiar voice rasps behind me.

I must be having audible hallucinations from the stress. There’s no way Enrico is here, and it’s even less likely that he sounds relieved to find me.

I don’t say anything at first, nor do I make a move to get up or turn around.

“Valerie?”

A sob breaks free at my name on his lips. I never thought I’d hear it again.

“No, please don’t cry.” The tall, powerful, strikingly handsome mafioso kneels in front of me, not caring that his Armani suit will get a grass stain. I’m still in shock, even as I blink down at him. This can’t be real.

Enrico’s large hand covers both of mine, which I didn’t notice were squeezed into tight fists on my lap. He lifts his other hand to my face, gently wiping away my tears with the pad of his thumb.“I’m so sorry for what I said, angel. Let me take you home, and we can talk more. I want to know everything. Your whole story. I promise I’ll listen, really listen this time.”

Home?I don’t have a home.Aside from the days I spent with Enrico, I’ve never had a home.

Enrico drops his hand from my cheek and offers it to me. For the first time, I hesitate. His shoulders drop at my reluctance, but he keeps his hand in place. “I promise I’m not angry with you. Confused, yes, but I shouldn’t have snapped. I should have given you space to talk and believed you from the beginning.”

I look from his outstretched hand to his hazel eyes, pleading with me to give him a second chance. I’m not the one who needs convincing, or so I thought.

“When I read your note,” Enrico says softly, withdrawing his hand, “I swear my heart stopped. It felt like my chest was caving in. You’re not a burden, Valerie. You’re my whole goddamn world, and I’m an asshole for not telling you that sooner.”

I gasp at his response, even more surprised to see his eyes glistening with tears. He truly means what he says.

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