Semua Bab Bad Boy Biker : Bab 11 - Bab 20

Small towns ran on gossip like engines ran on fuel. By the time Valentina started her new job at Riverdale’s only bookstore three days later, everyone knew she’d left Duke’s garage. Speculation ran rampant—they’d fought, they’d slept together, he’d fired her, she’d quit in tears.None came close to the truth: that a single kiss had shattered the walls she’d built around her heart.“Heard you and Duke Reynolds finally exploded,” Mrs. Winters said as Valentina rang up her romance novels. The elderly woman had no filter and fewer boundaries. “Bound to happen, way you two were circling each other.”“We weren’t circling anything,” Valentina replied, forcing a smile. “Coffee’s at the counter if you want some while you browse.”Mrs. Winters waved her off. “Don’t change the subject, dear. That man’s been walking around like a thundercloud since you started working for him. Now he’s even worse.”The thought of Duke suffering gave Valentina a petty satisfaction she immediately felt guilty for.

“Funny thing about papers.” James’s tone was conversational, but his eyes were hard. “They’re so easy to misplace.”Duke’s hand moved to rest on the table, open, ready. “The lady said she’s not going anywhere with you.”“The lady isn’t your concern.” James looked back at Valentina. “We need to talk. Privately.”Across the room, she saw Axel and the others watching, bodies tense, waiting for a signal from Duke. The situation could escalate in seconds.“Fine,” she said quickly. “Outside. Five minutes.”“Valentine—” Duke started, but she cut him off with a look.“It’s fine. I’ll handle this.” She stood, grabbing her jacket. “Five minutes, James. That’s all you get.”Outside, the night air was cool against her heated skin. Valentina crossed her arms, keeping distance between herself and James. “Say what you came to say, then leave.”“Is that any way to greet your husband?” James stepped closer. He looked the same—handsome, polished, cold. “You left without saying goodbye. It hurt, Val.”“

“Need anything else?” he asked, voice rougher than before.“No.” She lingered in the doorway. “Thank you. For everything.”He nodded, not meeting her eyes. “Get some sleep.”Morning brought weak sunlight and the smell of coffee. Valentina padded into the kitchen to find Duke on the phone, his back to her as he spoke in low, intense tones.“...need to move fast. By Friday.” A pause. “Yeah, I know. But this is important.” Another pause. “Thanks. I owe you one.”He turned as he hung up, stopping short at the sight of her. For a moment, neither spoke. The morning light through the kitchen window caught on his features, softening them. With his hair still mussed from sleep and stubble darkening his jaw, he looked younger, less guarded.“Morning,” she said finally.“Morning.” He gestured to the coffeemaker. “Help yourself.”She poured a cup, hyper-aware of him watching her movements. “Who was that on the phone?”“Lawyer friend. Specializes in financial crimes.” Duke leaned against the count

Axel's news wasn't good. James Porter was still in town, staying at the executive suite at the Riverdale Inn. He'd been asking questions, showing Valentina's picture around. Worst of all, he'd hired local muscle—two ex-cons with reputations for doing anything for the right price."Can't touch him legally," Axel explained, sprawled on Duke's couch. "Guy's got all his papers in order. Here on 'business,' he says."Duke's jaw tightened. "What kind of business?""Finding his wife." Axel's eyes flickered to Valentina. "Says you took some important documents when you left. Stuff that could hurt his company.""That's a lie." Valentina clutched her mug of tea. "I didn't take anything.""Doesn't matter what's true." Duke paced the length of the living room. "He's building a narrative. Making himself look like the wronged party.""While painting me as the thief." Valentina's laugh was bitter. "Clever.""The lawyer's still working on the SEC angle," Duke said. "But it'll take time."Time she did

Duke nodded, understanding in his gaze. “When did you know it was over? Before you caught him with your sister?”“Last Christmas.” The memory surfaced clearly. “We hosted this huge party at our house. Everything perfect, everyone important there. I was wearing this ridiculous dress that cost more than my car, playing the perfect hostess.”She paused, the scene replaying in her mind. “I caught my reflection in a window. Didn’t recognize myself. Not just how I looked—who I was. This smiling, nodding stranger wearing my face.”“What did you do?”“Nothing.” Shame colored her voice. “I kept smiling. Kept nodding. Kept playing the role because I was too scared to do anything else.”“Until you caught him cheating.”“Until I caught him cheating,” she confirmed. “Funny how something so awful can also be a gift. It gave me permission to leave a life I’d been wanting to escape for years.”Duke reached across the couch, his hand covering hers. “For what it’s worth, I see you now. The real you.”T