Page 33 of Unassuming Queen (Valentino Empire 2)

Yeah, not likely. I promised Holly she’d see me again, and I plan on keeping that fucking promise. I’m about to jump out and try to fire again, even though I have a bullet currently stuck in my shoulder (which fucking burns like all hell, by the way) when a chopper flies overhead. I see a fucking machine gun hanging out the side, then hear the sounds of the rounds hitting dirt, flesh, and metal, before the aircraft changes direction and hovers above me. For fuck’s sake, is this what Donatello meant by having guys nearby? That’s not just having guys nearby; he sent in the goddamn calvary.

I don’t understand… But, fuck, I need to get out of here before the cops turn up. I reach in and grab my bag from the back seat, and just as I’m about to start walking the rest of the way to the airport, another fucking SUV pulls alongside me.

The back door opens. “Get in,” Donatello orders. I look around. It’s not like I really have any other options right now. “Who’d you manage to piss off already, T? You’ve been here all of what? Two days?”

“Fuck if I know? You should have more of an idea than I do.”

“They won’t come after you again. I’ll make sure of it. Where are you headed?”

I’m curious as to why he’dmake sure of it? He doesn’t know me from Adam. Sure, he’s heard of me, because he knew my father, but I can count on one hand how many times I’ve ever actually seen the guy. “Why? Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the help back there. But why do you care?”

“A favor to your mother. She called and told me some things I wasn’t aware of. And let’s just say I now have a vested interest in keeping you in one piece. How bad is it?” He nods towards my shoulder.

“I’ve had worse.”

“Again, where are you headed?”

“Airport. I’m making a quick trip to Sydney.”

“Leaving already? I thought you had more fight in you than that.”

“I’ll be back Friday morning. Like I said, it’s a quick trip.”

“What’s in Sydney that has you runnin’ there?”

“My wife,” I say.

Donatello’s eyes widen briefly.Guess the news of my recent nuptials hasn’t spread that far yet.“I wasn’t aware you were married. Congratulations. She must be special, for you to make a twenty-plus hour trip for what? One night, before you have to turn around?”

“She’s worth it.”

“Good, that’s good.” Donatello nods his head. “I’ll have one of my doctors travel with you, so he can patch that up during the flight.”

I’d like to refuse his help, to tell the son of a bitch that I don’t wantor needanything from him. But the truth is: I do need a fucking doctor to get this fucking bullet out of me. And the sooner, the better. “Thank you.” I tip my head back and close my eyes. Holly’s face is what I picture every time I do. I’ll see her soon. That alone gives me the energy to keep going.

ChapterSeventeen

I’m going out of my damn mind. It’s been exactly eighteen hours since I last spoke to T. Why hasn’t he answered my messages? My calls are not even connecting. Neo doesn’t seem to be worried, and that’s a good thing. I think…

“Neo, you need to tell me where he is. Please, is he in danger? Is he hurt?” I plead.

“Holly, trust me when I say he’s fine. He’s just busy. He will call you soon, I’m sure. Will ya please just calm down.”

“No, I won’tcalm down. If he’s so fine, then why the hell isn’t he answering my messages? What if something bad happened? What if he needs me, and I don’t know where he is? What if he’s…” I can’t bring myself to finish that thought.

“Holly, we’d know if anything happened to him. Believe me, the men in the mafia are bigger gossips than the fucking real housewives. News travels fast in our families. He is fine. You need to relax beforeyou’renot fine and get me shot, because you’ve given yourself a stroke from stress or some shit.”

“Knock, knock. We’re here,” Reilly yells out as she enters the kitchen where I’m currently pacing.

“Thank fuck. What took you two so long?” Neo throws his hands in the air like he’s giving up. “She’s all yours. You fix her.”

Reilly and Bray both laugh. “There’s no fixing perfection, Neo, and Holly is bloody perfect. I dare you to say otherwise.” Reilly raises an eyebrow at him. She’s picked up just how much the men around me would do anything for me—anything but tell me where my bloody husband is.

“Of course she’s perfect. Perfectly stressed.”

“Holly, oh my gosh! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?” My mum enters the kitchen.

I give Reilly the what-the-fuck look. I didn’t want my mother to know I was here. How do I explain all of this to her? “Ah, hi, Mum. It was a quick trip. I’m not staying long.” I struggle to get the words out as she wraps her arms around me.

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