Vox And Valentino Novels & Stories

"You could say that." "Valentine's Day is hell." He says it like a fact, not a suggestion. "Worst holiday ever invented. Just manufactured pressure to prove something that shouldn't need proving." "You're not romantic then." "I was once romantic." His smile was sad. "Then I learned that romance and love are different things. Romance is just performance. Love is simply showing up when it's not pretty." I opened the door wider. I don't know why. Maybe because he's the first person all night who hasn't looked at me with pity or guilt or expectation.

I said, about to close the door, but he was quick to stop me. “No, I'm sure I have the right person. You are Lexi Cameron, aren't you?” “Yes, but I have no idea who you are; I don't know a Richard,” I said with a narrowed gaze, hoping he wasn't some weird stalker or prankster. I was not in the safest neighborhood. “Are you sure? I'm Richard from Get Your Valentine. Inc. you booked for my services. Do you not remember?” I stood there, taken aback, as I stared at the stranger's chiseled features. His piercing green eyes looked like I was staring at a rich forest. His strong jawline and full lips added to his flawless appearance, making him look like a sculpted masterpiece.

“And don’t think of it as a bad thing. The boss is a good-looking man. Like, really good-looking. You could do worse.” I open my mouth to respond, but the sound of footsteps on the stairs cuts me off. We all turn to see Valentine descending, his presence immediately commanding the room. Well, speak of the devil. He’s dressed in all black—a fitted shirt, tailored pants, and boots that make almost no sound as he walks. His golden eyes sweep over us, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. Mara and Finn are on their feet in an instant, their chairs scraping against the floor. “We’ll clean up,” Mara says quickly, grabbing her plate and heading for the kitchen.

I watched as he used those flames to reclaim the docks, lighting up the night, smiling as he said, "Once I've secured my position, I'll marry you in grand style." I thought we would last a lifetime. I never imagined our love would crumble under a few careless lies from Lina. Lina had said, "She's a merchant's daughter. What could she want besides money?" Yet, she never knew that last year, when the Valentino Family faced a financial collapse, it was I who transferred 30 million through anonymous accounts to help them survive. And just last month, when a rival family sent assassins, it was I who had my bodyguard take a bullet for him…

I asked carefully. Valentino’s face hardened instantly. “Well,” he said, his tone turning colder, “up until recently… nothing.” He shrugged again. “Absolutely nothing. I couldn’t care less what that idiot was planning.” His eyes drakened and his jaw tightened. “But then… he crossed the line.” The sudden anger radiating off him was impossible to miss. “What did he do?” I asked quietly, careful not to provoke him further. Valentino looked at me, really looked at me. His gaze slowly traveled over my face, studying me in silence. I could immediately tell that he had lied earlier when he said he didn’t see what Paul saw in me.

But when he saw me. His jaw actually dropped. For the first time, Alexander Valente looked speechless. His eyes darkened, slowly sweeping over me, taking in every inch as if committing it to memory. He said nothing. Did nothing. Just stared. And when he finally spoke, his voice was low, rough. "You look..." He trailed off, shaking his head slightly before meeting my gaze. "Stunning." A shiver ran through me. I knew that look. It was possession. And I hated how much I liked it.

I would never tell him that though, he would never let me live it down, plus, I would probably die before I even finished the sentence. I handed the keys to the valet and made my way to the VIP section of the lambs bar. The ambience was usually calming. The lighting was dim, bright enough to see where I was going, but dark enough for my face to remain shielded from the rest of the guests. A waiter scurried my way. “Scotch, on the rocks. Four glasses.” I grunted before he even came close. In less than a minute he was back with the drinks, just as Damian made his entrance. Took him long enough.

Without saying a word to him, I lay back in the bed, my legs apart so as not to provide any space for him. I don't need to argue words with him. He is obviously not a gentleman and I am not a gentlewoman either. "Don't get me upset, woman!" "Val." "Don't you dare call me Val? That name is special and comes out of people who are special. Call me Valerie." I throw him a harsh glare, ignoring his own icy glare piercing deep into me. He snorts like I just said a funny joke. "Special? Your name is the dumbest name I have ever come across."

" Alice questioned. Valentino was getting furious piece by piece "Alice dropped the questions" He said to Alice."Why are you being a b**ch? Or were you always born a b**ch?" Valentino busted out. He was pissed but didn't know why he had called Alice a b*" ch. Alice stood up and left. Ever since then, there has always been this cold tension between Alice and Valentino which Dominic noticed and asked Alice about it. She had told him all that happened So he went ahead to make Valentino apologize.

Valentino looked at the card in his hand and said with a pout, “Okay, but I want to go for a walk on the beach later. I basically live in the mountains, you know.” Alaric nodded his head and caressed Valentino’s right cheek as he asked, “Even if it is in the early morning hours?” Valentino nodded his head, “Yes, but will he really make you work so late?” “Yeah, he gave me unnecessary work again,” Alaric answered, and kissed Valentino on the forehead. “I do not understand how you can work for someone when you have been around far longer than us,” Valentino said and hugged him. *