RAVENNA ~~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤♤“Slade and the rest will be fine. Thankfully, it’s nothing too damaging,” Uncle Leo said, patting my shoulder as we waited for an update on the men. “Uncle, did you see the fire that burnt our house down?” “Yes.” “It was a raging fire. Nothing could have saved them. We must have stayed long at the park because the fire didn’t look like it just started. Can you imagine getting burnt by that?” “It was brutal, Ravenna, but even in their dying breath, they made sure they typed out a text to you. Who knows? If they hadn’t sent that message, you might be dead by now. They loved you a lot.” My vision got blurry as tears poured out of my eyes. “Did you know Mom was pregnant?” Uncle Leo raised a brow. “She was?” “Yes. She was going to tell D

VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“What are you doing in here, Paul?” I asked as I walked into my kitchen. I took off my jacket, placing it on a stool. “I was dreading making a call to you, so I grew some balls and come see you for myself,” he replied. “You’re just in time. I made you something to eat.” I went to the sink to wash my hands before returning to the table. “You were dreading making a call to me because you finally told me the truth about my mother.” He placed a plate of Lo mein in front of me. “You’ll have to hit the gym with this one.” I took a bite of the noodles. “Tastes good. I didn’t know you could cook.” He took a seat at the other end of the table. “I didn’t always come from money, you know. I couldn’t splash thousands of dollars on food at a pricey restau

The next time I woke up, I was on a bed. I tried to sit up, but a muscular arm pushed me down on the bed. “Stop being so stubborn and get some more rest,” Valentino said. I turned my head to side to find sitting on the bed with a laptop on his thighs. “It wasn’t a dream. You really came.” He closed his laptop, placing it on the nightstand next to him. “I did. I think you have a penchant for getting yourself into trouble, and I’m always left saving your ass.” “Not true. The time my men’s house got burnt, you didn’t come to help me, did you?” “There are some certain things you need to take care of yourself or you won’t be able to stand on your own.” “Not that I’m complaining, but you’re always the one coming to my rescue without me even having to ask you.” “Reallly?” “Mhm. If this continues, I think I might actually get used to having my personal superhero coming to save the day.”

VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“It’s been long since you dropped by,” Payton said as she opened the door to her apartment for me and I walked in. “I had things going on. How’s Jasmine doing?” “She’s fine. She’s sleeping in her cot. Do you want to see her?” “No. Maybe some other time. Are you and the baby doing okay?” “Yes, but the other day, I saw some men watching us. Did you send them over?” I didn’t send anyone to monitor them, but I knew telling her that would only worry her. “I did, but I told them to do it subtly. I guess they’re not doing their job properly.” I made a mental note to send some men over to her place. “You really don’t have to do that. Jasmine’s father is no longer in the picture.” “It was just precautionary. I just dropped by to say hi. I have to go visit Paul, and then I have to grab Renegade from Ciro’s place.” “Don’t let me keep you waiting. You can stop by an

VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“I have news for you,” Anthony said as he walked into my living room alongside Ciro, Renegade, and Carlo. “You actually made it before the end of one hour with a few minutes to spare,” I said, glancing at timer I had running on my phone. Renegade padded over to my side, curling himself up against me. “I think you’re a dick for doing that,” Ciro said, his eyes shooting daggers at me. “Nobody gives a fuck what you think about me, little brother.” I shifted my gaze over to Anthony. “What’s this news all about?” “I spoke to the Chinese guys. After a long talk which I had to bring my godfather in for, everything was forgiven.” “Well, that means you can return to England, but something tells me you won’t.” Anthony grinned. “What can I say? I like i