THE ITALIAN MAFIA'S KARMA

Chapter 86: AN ENGAGEMENT IN AN ENGAGEMENT

Valentine’s frozen body neither moved nor reciprocated the kiss, until Ross pulled away."I’ve searched all over for you, sunshine. You have no idea how much I missed you." He carried her hand and placed it on his chest.

The silence in the air stretched, as everyone focused on the upstage going on.

"I have found you again, and I can’t let you go," Ross continued, giving a cinematic masterpiece performance.

All the way in his seat, Chris watched with a glimmer in his eyes, and his lips curved into an amused smirk.

Briefly, his thoughts flashed back to a day ago.

"Where are you Chris?" Ross asked on a sudden call.

"Neravalle. And guess who is here?"

"Who?"

"Valentina."

Chris let out a light chuckle, as he continued to watch the play before him.

"You know you mean everything to me, Val," he said, his voice dripping with the strong convictions he knew he had to project.

Luciano’s gaze remained on Valentina, as he tried to read her reaction whilst also wondering what the heck was happening.

"Now that I’ve found you again, I’ll be a fool to let you go. So forgive me Luce for stealing your moment for just a second, but I’ll be quick with it."

Everyone’s eyes followed him as he drew closer to Lorenzo Barone.

"Lorenzo. You have been the most loyal friend any man could ask for. And now I must ask for your blessings, to marry your niece. Do you give me your blessings, Lorenzo Barone?"

Valentina’s gaze whipped towards him, just as his equally widened eyes found her.

"My niece?" He muttered in absolute shock.

In that moment of contact, Valentina experienced a brief flashback.

FLASHBACK

The air was tense, and the day was just gradually accepting the darkness of the night.

Bianca Barone sprinted through the hallway of the vacation home, and burst outside through a door.

Behind her, Lorenzo’s hasty and determined steps echoed.

"Maria!" Bianca called out when she spotted her with the children. "Run! Don’t stop! Please!" She begged with tears falling down her eyes.

Maria clutched a four year old Valentina to her chest, whilst dragging her daughter, Natalia with her other hand.

Her heart pounded heavily, as she ran through the hidden routes, she prayed to God had not been discovered.

She felt Valentina’s head buried in her chest, and a little bit of relief overwhelmed her.

It was all the encouragement she needed to keep going.

That and Bianco’s voice following behind her, encouraging her to run as fast as she can.

The curious mind of little Valentina took over, and she lifted her head, through Maria’s shoulders..

Bang!

A gun shot straight to the back of Bianca. She jerked, and instantly crumpled to the ground.

Behind her, Lorenzo smiled.

The shot, the fall, and the smile.

Three things forever brandished in Valentina’s head.

****

Twenty years later, she was staring into the eyes of the face that projected that same smile.

The smile that brought the flashes of headaches. The smile that erased the four years before, and two years after that incident.

Valentina now stared at the man behind most of her nightmares.

Luciano saw something in her eyes. But just swiftly, it disappeared before he could register what it was.

"Lorenzo?" Ross called out his name, telling him that he was waiting for his response.

"You’ll forgive me Ross. I’m filled with joy in my heart," he lied.

Because twenty years ago, he watched from his private plane as the men he hired to burn down the vacation home, set explosives on it.

He watched the house burn down, knowing in his heart not a single soul survived.

Not the maid who thought she had successfully escaped, and certainly not Valentina.

But it would turn out he was wrong, because before him was the spitting image of his stepsister-Valentina.

"However, knowing the good man you are, I give you all my blessings," he said.

Luciano inhaled sharply, as Ross turned swiftly, and snapped his finger.

His second in command hurried over with a box in his hand.

"Sunshine," he called as he quickly walked over to Valentina. "I’ve carried this box around with the thought that if I ever find you again, I will never let you leave my sight. And to prove to you how serious I am, I’ll ask you an important question."

He began to go on one knee, and Valentina’s eyes narrowed.

"Marry me, sunshine," he said, as he opened the ring box, and a diamond ring appeared.

"Ri—"

"Before you say anything, I promised you your freedom before. I promised you laughter, and peace. I meant every word I said when I did. Marry me, and you’ll get all of that and more."

At the mention of freedom, Luciano’s brows snapped.

He understood the play now. This was the temptation Valentina would absolutely fall for.

His hand slowly began to form a fist, as his eyes bored into her.

She returned his gaze, and he saw the flickering desire to infuriate in her eyes.

"Don’t you dare," he warned inside of him.

His heart sank when Valentina smiled. "I’ll marry you," she said.

Ross swiftly slipped the ring into her fingers, and it was a perfect fit.

His second in command clapped, and Lorenzo joined him.

"Let’s congratulate the engaged couple. Come on!" Lorenzo screamed at the top of his voice, encouraging others who had absolutely no idea what had just happened, to clap.

When Ross finally turned to face Luciano, it was with his signature smile on his face.

"I should apologize for stealing your night Luce. But it’s not every time one chances upon an opportunity like this. I’m also sorry madam. You must despise me for—"

"Oh no!" Daniela shook her head, and even smiled as she stepped forward. "Congratulations sir. I am most happy for you and Valentina."

To prove said happiness, she moved in to hug Valentina.

Valentina stilled herself to the unwanted hug from Daniela.

"Finally you’re going to be out of my life," Daniela whispered, before pulling away.

"What is Daniela doing?" Giovanni questioned Helena.

But Helena was all smiles. Her daughter was definitely her daughter, and she couldn’t be more proud.

"Thank you once more for giving me this opportunity to prove my love, adoration, and loyalty to my sunshine. I owe you a great deal, for if it wasn’t for you granting me entrance into your home, I would not have reunited with my beloved. You are indeed a great and noble man."

Luciano couldn’t take his eyes off Valentina for a second.

His hands around his glass tightened until it cracked.

The betrayal was so personal, he felt it in his heart.

He didn’t say a word. Not to Ross or to Valentina.

However if looks could kill, there would have been a dead body already.

"Hey, I have to use the ladies. Excuse me," Valentina said to Ross the second she spotted Lorenzo coming their way.

He nodded, and let go of her hand. As she looked up, she spotted Elio.

Valentina went to him immediately. "Take me to a rest room please. Now!" She whispered, as her breathing began to falter.

He nodded in understanding, and quickly led her away.

"Babe, let’s sit," Daniela said, as she returned to his side.

He nodded, but even as he sat, he never tore his eyes off the woman who had challenged him in the worst way possible..