Chapter 9 The Plan

He helps her up, steadying her. His phone buzzes-Marco, probably urgent-but he silences it without looking. Everything can wait. He kisses her temple, his hand settling at the small of her back. You are first, from this point on your always first now. She studies him thoroughly and says You are trying really hard to get me to fall in love with you aren’t you? She says with a bit of laughter as they open the door of the office and head back into the main suite when Enzo waits happily and bounds in immediately, sensing freedom and his person’s availability. Val’s hand never leaves her back as they move into the hallway.

Val laughs as he says Not trying…. Succeeding..He glances at her, a half-smile playing at his mouth. They descended the elevator together. The city sprawls below them in the fading light. His dark eyes find hers in the mirrored walls. There’s a difference, Zora. Trying implies uncertainty I know exactly what I’m doing and I will not fail. His dark eyes find hers in the mirrored walls. The elevator opens to the lobby. His security team straightens, alert. Watching waiting for orders. He squeezes her hand gently. I’m not asking you to fall, I’m giving you reasons to stay while you figure it out yourself…He says this like she its inevitable like it is written in stone she just needs to catch up. Love’s the bonus. The real prize is you choosing this-choosing me-with your eyes wide open. For love will follow that easily. Tomorrow, we leave for the farmhouse. Then you’ll know if I’m worth it. Zora looks at him again and sighs then says I think I already know the answer to that question the real question is if yo will truly want me after you get me not just the image of me but the real me flaws and all the good the bad and the ugly. I’m not perfect and what you watched was just an image mot really knowing me….

Val stops walking, the lobby falls quiet around them-staff pretending not to watch. He looks at her pulling her face towards his and says You think I don’t know who you are? I watched you for three months, Zora. I saw you counsel a kid who wanted to die, I watched you ride that motorcycle like you were running from something yet free at the same time. You told me about the guns, the meth, the choices you made to survive, about your family. I see all the complexity that is you...His voice was low, dangerous in a different way. He turns to face her fully, Enzo settling at their feet. His hand cups her face. The flaws aren’t a surprise, there why I’m here kindred spirits he chuckles...as his dark eyes are unflinching and he steps closer. You think loving the polished version is love? That’s just fantasy, I want the woman who breaks things and rebuilds them. The one who scares Marco, the one who sees through me. That’s the real you, and I already do. She looks at him and says I think that you have an idea about me but experiencing the full meal deal with my bipolar ass and moments of anger outbursts that happen at times. That I can’t always control is different than knowing about them.

Val’s expression doesn’t shift, he nods slowly, as if she’s confirmed something he already. Then we’ll deal with them together. I’ve spent thirty-nine years controlling everything-my business, my men, my emotions. You thing your anger frightens me? I’ve orchestrated violence, I’ve made grown men weep. He releases her face but keeps her hand. They move toward the car, Enzo trailing behind. He glances at her as the valet brings the car around, and I don’t run from tests anymore. I run toward them. When it happens-and it will-you tell me. No hiding. We figure it out. She laughs and says Yes I will tell you for I am aware now when it’s happening at least most of the time, since I’ve done the work but sometimes the stuff I say in those situations can be overwhelming and hurtful. Then I have to deal with the consequences. Va’s hand tightens on hers as they slide into the back seat. Enzo settles between them and Val sighs and adds Then you hurt me and I’ll hurt back sometimes not meaning too but that’s what real looks like. He turns to face her, his dark eyes steady, real and honest. I’m not fragile, Zora. I’ve survived worse than words, what matters is you come back, you apologize and we rebuild. That’s the deal, not perfection, not pretending the storms don’t happen. Just two people choosing each other through them. The car pulls into traffic and he leans back, pulling her against his side. I can handle your worst. The question is-can handle mine when it surfaces?

She turns her head up and over at him to look into his eyes. You are so young you are 10 years younger than me you could have anyone you want why? He says I’m not just 10 years younger my life has been as messed up if not more so than yours you know that gives a person a different perspective but…Does it matter? Your calculating, I can see it. Wondering if this is insane. If I’m some kid playing with fire. Looking for some kind of mother figure or something. The question hangs heavy. His hand remains on her waist, but something’s shifted in him-a wariness creeping in. He finally looks at her, his dark eyes unreadable. I’m not. But if the age gap bothers you, say it now.. before my heart gets more invested than it already is...She looks at him awareness settles deep within her she doesn’t care it might be hard with her family but she doesn’t care. My daughter is 39 your only 6 years older she’s gonna freak. Val’s shoulders relax, a slow smile spreads across his face. He pulls her closer again, the tension dissolving. It’s just 10 years I can live with that your daughter’s 6 years younger than me. That’s..interesting family dynamic we’ll navigate eventually. But right now? I don’t care about numbers. I care about the woman who challenges me. Who sees through my walls, who makes me want to be better. His thumb traces her knuckles.

Enzo shifts between them, sensing the mood lightening, as the car turns onto his street. Age is jut time survived, Zora. What matters is what we do with the time we have left. Besides, you ride a motorcycle and cook meth. You’re hardly conventional yourself. We’re both too old to pretend this isn’t exactly what we want…She chuckles softly and says Really?? I don’t cook meth anymore not for over 30 years goofball...she shakes her head and laughs again. I’ve also been clean for almost 20 years now. Val laughs-a real one, his head tilting back against the seat. 20 years clean, that’s not just getting clean that's a full transformation, He studies her with new appreciation, something shifting in how he sees her. so you’ve been building yourself back from the ground up while I was still..He trails off, not finishing that thought. That changes things. You’re not running from your past-you’ve already outrun it and I’m just learning how to let it go.

The car pulls up to his building. Enzo perks up, recognizing the end of the ride. He cups her face, his thumb brushing her cheekbone. Which means when you look at me and see someone worth staying for it’s not desperation., it’s choice and I don’t’ want it to be piety or that I’m some kind of project either we are a team from now on. He dark eyes hold her, waiting and he continues. A Real choice that only you can make and that terrifies me more than anything. Zora says why would that scare you? I don’t understand? And Yes I don’t need you at all I am good on my own but I am choosing you because I want you even though the world is going to have a lot to say about it for I am almost old enough to be your mother. Val’s expression hardens-not with anger, but with something colder. Determination.

Let them talk...You think I care what the world says? I’ve spent twenty three years being what they feared, this-you-is the first thing I’ve wanted that’s actually mine. Even my past marriages were just a tool in the power race but you...with you it’s something else something real. He steps out of the car, extending his hand to help her. The night air is sharp against their skin. Enzo trots ahead toward the building entrance. He pulls her close as they walk in the building. Your daughter will adjust your granddaughters will see a man who loves their grandmother, and everyone else can burn..You chose me knowing exactly who I am. That’s all the permission either of us needs. His voice drops and says The world doesn’t get a vote. She stops dead in her tracks and looks over at him and says OK…….. Vale studies her face in the lobby light, reading the hesitation there. He doesn’t push. Instead, he guides her toward the elevator, Enzo padding alongside them. His tone shifts-practical, grounding. He’s giving her space to process without abandoning her.

We should eat, you haven’t had dinner. Chef made osso buco. Your favorite now, I’m assuming, since you mentioned it last week how you missed it.. she shakes her head sometimes his words are unnerving me, she thinks to herself. She says to him sometimes it’s creepy that you know so much about me...He giggles as the elevator rises smoothly. His hand find the small of her back and he says Tomorrow morning, five AM we leave for the farmhouse. No pressure to decide anything tonight except whether you want red or white wine with dinner. One step at a time, Zora, that’s all either of us can do and that’s all I’m asking for. Val I don’t like wine you’ll remember sooner or later she laughs and what the…??? are you talking about 5 AM are you crazy…..After you making love to me half the night you wanna get up at the crack of dawn? Are you smoking crack?? Oh Hell no not this chick I don’t do mornings!!!!

She laughs as elbows him in the ribs as she walks away..Val catches her elbow before she gets far, pulling her back with a grin. Enzo follows, tail wagging at the playful energy. He spins her to face him in the hallway, amusement dancing in his dark eyes and he chuckles. Kahlua and cream, then I’ll remember. 5 am because the drive is beautiful at sunrise. Because I want to show you the property in the morning light, not afternoon shadows, and because after tonight, you’ll sleep like the dead. Trust me. He says with a grin as his hand slides to her waist, and he brushes a strand of her blond hair from her face, unbothered by her jab. Besides-I don’t need much sleep, never have, comes with the territory. Now come eat before the chef stages a mutiny.