Page 2 of Bound By Sin
Brian and Valentino were friends, had been friends longer than Brian and me. Brian was the one who’d introduced us. He said if anyone could help me navigate my need for pain, it was Valentino. At the time, I didn’t know what he meant. But, after meeting Valentino, I’d never been more grateful for Brian’s friendship and his love. I’d never been more grateful that he introduced me to the one person who could help me.
Now, it was time for my brows to knit together in confusion. “Tell me what?”
My heart pounded harder against my chest as negative thoughts bombarded me. So many emotions flickered across Brian’s face. Anger. Regret. Pity. What the hell was going on? Was Valentino sick? Dead?
“Oh, shit! Don’t tell me he’s married, Brian,” I groaned. “Don’t tell me I’ve been fucking a married man for three years and fell in love with him.”
“No, he’s not married, Tara.” He glared at her. I wouldn’t have introduced you two if he were married. At least not without his wife present. Please give me a little more fucking credit than that. I love you. I wouldn’t do some shit like that to you.”
Guilt drenched me. He genuinely sounded offended that I’d thought he would do something so shitty to me.
“I’m sorry, Brian.” I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “I know you love me and want what’s best for me. I’m just all in my feelings right now. Forgive me.”
I picked up the phone and rolled my eyes when I saw the time and no messages from Valentino. I tossed the phone back onto the lacquered bar top, not caring whether the screen cracked.
Brian squeezed my hand, getting my attention. “He’s gone.”
“He’s gone,” I repeated, disbelief lacing my words.
It couldn’t be true. Valentino would never leave without telling me. The man would go on business trips for a few days and call to inform me where he was going and when he would come back. Sometimes, if it was going to be an extended trip, he’d email me his itinerary and Facetime me the entire time he was gone. There was no way in hell that man would leave me without saying one damn word.
“What do you mean he’s gone? Where? Like, on an extended business trip?”
“He left town, Tara.” Brian heaved another sigh, pity filling his eyes. “For good.”
I picked up my phone and dialed Valentino, not believing anything Brian had to say. There was no way he’d leave without telling me. Even though we hadn’t said the words to one another, there was no way he didn’t know I loved him. With the days and nights we’d shared with one another, the sweet goodbyes between us and our secrets, Valentino Cavallaro loved me as much as I loved him. I refused to believe he didn’t. I rejected the idea that all this time we’d spent together was a lie. Something I had thought was more than what it really was.
It rang four times before it went to voicemail. I tried again. And again. With each unanswered ring, the truth sunk in a little deeper, clenching around my heart like a vise. When I dialed it one last time, it didn’t ring at all and went straight to voicemail, his deep raspy voice echoing inside my empty chest.
It was true.
I ran my fingers over the diamond collar he gave me when we first became exclusive, signaling to everyone I was his. It had meant everything to me when we made that step, and now it was worth absolutely nothing.
Worthless.
I yanked the stunning, expensive collar off my neck, letting the diamonds fall wherever they may.
My world shattered.
He left me.
He was gone.
Brian pulled me into his embrace when tears filled my eyes. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”
“How could he do this to me, Brian?”
I wasn’t expecting him to give me any answers, and even if he did know anything, he wouldn’t tell me anyway.
“Is he really gone?”
“Yes, babe. He is.” Brian tightened his embrace. “I’m so sorry, love.”
He whispered soothing, loving words into my ear, not one time mentioning Valentino’s name. He continued to do what he thought would bring me comfort, but none of his words would ever take away the searing pain ripping through my chest. Tearing my heart out.
Valentino.
My Valentinoleft me, taking my heart and a piece of my soul with him.
