09

VALENTINE

She slept quickly. Her shoulders rose and fell. Sweat trickled down her neck to her breast. I curled my fist tight. I had tried to hold myself from holding her against the wall and drilling her in the most sinister way ever. She looked frail.

I had the urge to protect her not to hurt her. My groin throbbed when she moved in her sleep.

When I gave her the bath, I was careful and also controlling my emotions. I could have given her a good fuck in there but I didn't want her to think all men were like Don Rossini and my brother.

I didn't know when I kissed her but she reciprocated the kiss. Maybe she has been waiting for it all this while.

My phone chirped in my pockets. I couldn't reach the phone. I rose from the couch and walked to the bed. I lowered her on the bed. She woke up, "Please, don't go,” She pleaded with a sleepy voice that sounded sexy.

I want to hear her moan my name with that voice of hers. I sat next to her and stroked her hair. Slowly, she went back to sleep.

I pulled my phone out. It was a text from Rossetti.

‘I WANT TO SEE YOU RIGHT NOW’

I was too tired and weary.

‘WE WILL SEE TOMORROW. I NEED TO SLEEP’ I replied and tossed my phone into my pockets.

I kissed Cleopatra on her forehead. Turned off the lights and left the room.

~~~

It's been seven days since I last saw Cleopatra. I wanted to control my sexual urge. I avoided her and focused more on proving her innocence. I kept men watching her uncle's home. They brought reports of Don Rossini's men coming to trouble them.

Her Aunt was always worried. But her useless Uncle, he wasn't bothered. He gambled, smoked and drank like there was no tomorrow.

Rossetti was infuriated when he heard I had cut off Don Rossini's toe. He ranted angrily about how I was trying to override his authority and start up a war with Rossini. I am doing none of that. I follow my instincts and do what I think is right as long as I am not breaking any code.

Although, I broke a code by taking Cleopatra into my custody.

I tapped away on the keyboard gathering up the proof to show that Cleopatra was indeed not a spy. Once all was done, I moved into Rossetti's study.

He was on a call. His voice sounded sombre.

I walked away a minute after he put down the phone.

“It was father."

“Is he back?"

“He isn't completely healed. He needs more time to recuperate," Rossetti explained.

My shoulders slack with guilt. I was part of the reason why father and mother were attacked that day.

"Why are you here?”

I dropped the proof of Cleopatra's innocence. It included several photos and tape recordings of Don Rossini's confession.

He turned red in the face. His hands folded around the tape recorder when he listened to the recordings.

“Why did you do this? This wasn't part of your mission."

“It is."

“I gave myself this mission, Rosetti."

With my jaws pinched, I placed my fingers on the table and leaned close to him, “There, You have the proof. She isn't a spy."

Rossetti brushed his hands across his beards, “Sure. Now I believe. But, she can't stay here any more."

“I get to decide that," I said with an air of finality and stepped out. I heaved heavily. Feeling a rush of fresh air. I have been tense during the past few days.

I stopped by Cleopatra's room. She was perched at the edge of her bed as always. She held her dress close to her chest, drawing deep breaths.

“Cleopatra?"

She jolted and quickly folded the dress, her voice sounded tense, “You have to knock before entering my room."

"Hmm. Really?”

She rose up. I could perceive she was annoyed or maybe feigning annoyance. She picked the dress and tried to walk past me.

I caught her wrist and pulled her back. A gasp escaped her lips when my hands rested on her butts.

"Didn't your mama teach you etiquette?” She snapped in defiance, her orbs dancing between mine.

My temples squeezed, "Talk about my mother one more time and I will kiss your brains out."

Her lips opened wide and closed.

I drew my face close to her lips but she turned her face away.

“You left?" She sounded disheartened.

A small smile curled up my face, “I'm sorry," I raised my hands to her lower back.

“I thought you were angry at me. You didn't come to say hello."

“I was really busy," My chest fluttered at how soft she was acting towards me.

"How would you protect me if you get too busy?” Her voice was low and subtle, her eyes wavered.

"I will protect you, Cleopatra."

She exhaled and wriggled away from my embrace.

“You know, there is no need to protect me," She sighed and sat on the bed. Her face was ashen.

“I don't need your protection, Valentine,” her words drove straight into my chest like a sharp dagger. My blood boiled.

My vision darkened, "Wh…"

“I want to be free. Free from him. Free from your brother and free from…” her breath hitched, her gaze met mine.

Her throat bobbed, her toes curled over.

She closed her eyes as though trying to push back some thoughts she never wants to recall, "I want to be free from you, Valentine,” She said with her eyes closed.

My chest folded.

"Free from me? Why?” I asked, a surge of anger raged through my veins.

"Valentine, I am not your captive. You have helped me and I'm truly grateful,” She uttered, gaze matching mine.

A scoff pried from the base of my throat, "And you owe me. You are now my debtor, Cleopatra,” My tone matched hers.

“Debtor?" Her eyes narrowed.

Her lips stuttered.

“Debts? You never asked for…"

“Just because I didn't ask doesn't mean you don't owe. You will have to pay for my help," I snapped in a clipped tone.

Her hands fell on the bed. Her grip tightened around the blanket, “You!" She seethed, “You are all the same. I should have known," Her pupil flared.

Heat coursed through my veins. I watched her squeeze her eyes close, tears like waterworks rolled down her face.

"Then, what do you want?” her throat tightened.

"Cleopatra…" Her name whizzed drone my lips, I placed my hand over her hands.

Her eyes snapped open, her body locked up with rage and she withdrew her hands quickly.

"Don't touch me!!"