46. Valerie

Chapter forty-six

Valerie

S tanding in front of my full-length mirror, I stare at myself in the exquisite dress Kaia designed for me, even though it's a perfect fit I feel more self-conscious than I have in my entire life. It accentuates everything I never put on a show, everything I try to hide.

The corset of the dress holds my posture firmly in place, while the underwire and padded cups put my already full breasts on display, the thigh-high slit showing off my legs as well. It looks amazing but I can't help but wonder if it's really meant for me and if I'm doing it justice at all.

A knock breaks through my thoughts, Karyn stands in my doorway with a smirk on her face as I turn around nervously. "Thought you'd like to know Ambrose got here fifteen minutes ago and he's currently in the kitchen making Papá coffee," she says and my face drops.

"What? He's early." I rush to my bed and grab everything I may need for the evening.

"He did tell me not to tell you because it would stress you out but it's so cute you have to see it for yourself."

I pause looking down at two lipstick options opting for a complimenting fuschia colour. "Do I look okay?" I twirl around for her to see the entire dress .

"You look a lot better than okay, stunning actually," she smiles.

We make our way down the stairs quietly, and as soon as I'm in the kitchen doorway a smile takes over my face. Ambrose places a cup of coffee in front of my father. A laugh slips past my lips and both of their eyes flash up.

"Cazzo," Ambrose breathes out. "Mi scusi." I'm sorry. He apologises to my father.

"You look beautiful Fiore Mio ," my father smiles and I walk over giving them both a little spin.

"Thank you, Papá," I lean down to kiss his cheek.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" I turn to face Ambrose who is still standing in the same spot taking in every detail of my outfit.

"Wow."

I chuckle. "I'll take wow as a compliment. Are you ready to go or are you two still busy with your tea party?"

"We can reschedule," my papá winks at Ambrose. "You two go, Ambrose was telling me it's a big night for the business."

"Alright then let's go." I smile and head out as Ambrose mumbles another apology to my papá before I hear his hurried footsteps following me.

He grabs my wrist stopping me before I can open the front door. "You look breathtaking, sweetheart." He gives me a once-over. "Absolutely. Fucking. Breathtaking."

Heat creeps up my neck onto my face at his words. "Thank you," I squeak and he opens the door for me.

"Can you stay over tonight? We won't have to sneak around anymore." He smirks as he opens the car door for me. I stop and reach up to fix the collar of his slightly unbuttoned white shirt.

"Hmmm tempting offer, I'd love to." His hand rests on my waist and he leans in for a quick kiss then gestures for me to get into the car .

He looks pretty fucking breathtaking himself. His crisp white shirt and full black suit (that is lined in the same colour pink as my dress) makes him look practically edible.

Half an hour later we arrive on the other side of Tevici, in the more industrial area. Horatio's boss is in town and has rented the largest penthouse in Tevici during his time here.

"Are the boys meeting us here?" I ask as we pull into the large underground parking lot.

"Here they are now." He looks in the rearview and when I turn in my seat I see Adriano's Ferrari pulling in behind us as well as a black Range Rover .

"Who's behind them?"

"Extra security."

My head snaps to Ambrose. "What?"

"It's protocol whenever we go to a new place with people we haven't met before." he brushes it off driving further into the lot.

A knot tightens in my stomach as we park and get out of the car. The tension between Ambrose, Antonio and me not speaking, combined with the nerves about how this dinner will go, makes me feel like I want to run to the nearest bathroom. The large strawberry milkshake I had earlier probably isn't helping either.

Antonio walks ahead of all of us while I stop to greet Adriano and Gus. "You two look handsome," I smile.

"You don't look too bad yourself, little Val," Adriano says. "Very attention-grabbing."

"Thank you." I feel Ambrose's hand rest on the small of my back.

"Let's get going," he gestures for us to all follow in the direction Antonio left. We're all forced into the elevator together and the tension that felt thick in the parking lot now feels insufferable as I stand in front of Ambrose, my back pressed firmly to his front .

"Everyone ready?" He asks and the heads in the elevator all nod, mine included, even though I'm not entirely sure what we're getting ready for but somehow it feels like war.

The elevator opens into a short hallway with a single door at the end. Ambrose walks ahead and knocks on the door, it opens revealing Horatio. "Hello and welcome, please come in." He smiles brightly and steps out of the way allowing us into the penthouse.

Ambrose gestures for me to walk first and a chill runs down my spine and I stop to look up at him, he gives me a gentle nod and I enter first.

The vast expanse of the penthouse is evident as soon as I step inside. The entryway has floor-to-ceiling windows and a giant chandelier hanging in the centre with a glass spiral staircase off to the left.

Another two men slip out of a door in the entryway and I nearly jump at their sudden presence. "Just a routine search, our boss is quite strict on safety, I'm sure you can understand," Horatio says with a sickly sweet smile.

"Of course," Ambrose says through gritted teeth.

One of the men approaches me and I stare up at him. "Where do you suppose I'd keep anything hidden in this dress." A scoff leaves his lips but he proceeds to pat me down in what I assume is the most professional way he knows how.

After I'm done he moves on to do the same to Gus and then Adriano.

A loud screech sounds through the apartment, causing the three men to exchange glances. The two security guards who joined us for the search quickly rush off.

"Apologies, they were notified of a security issue they need to take care of, I trust you are not carrying anything suspicious?" Horatio eyes Ambrose and Antonio. "Follow me," Horatio says.

Antonio is first after him, hands in his pockets and my brows furrow. Ambrose is next to me soon after, offering his arm to help me ascend the stairs which are ungodly slippery in these heels .

The staircase opens into a large living space connected to a rooftop terrace as well. The terrace is set for dinner but Horatio seems to be guiding Antonio to the living area in the meantime.

"Please get comfortable, my boss should be out in a few minutes to welcome you all. I'll have the staff bring over a few drinks." Horatio smiles. For someone who acted as if he was the head of the entire organisation a few days ago, he is acting rather submissive now that his boss is in town.

He disappears and we're all left to our own devices. I can't help but walk the expanse of the living area taking in the few art pieces decorating the walls. There aren't any I recognise and I move closer to see if they're actual paintings but they turn out to be prints.

Assuming the boss is only staying here briefly while in town, I gather this penthouse came fully furnished. For the price tag, it likely came with, the art could've at least been painted.

Turning back I spot Antonio at the bar and my feet walk over.

"Hey," I say and he regards me the same way I would a bug on my clothing–with nothing but disgust.

"I'm not in the mood, Valerie," he says before turning and walking away. I sigh and look out of the window, the entire skyline of Tevici is visible from here, you can see the way the coast curves and I'm sure if you squint hard enough you could probably see the Vitale Villa from here.

"Give him a bit of space tonight Val, things were pretty hectic at home before we left." Adriano's voice says from next to me.

I simply nod. "I know he needs space but he won't even let me apologise."

"He'll come around."

"I got you a cocktail," Ambrose says from next to me, handing me the glass and giving Adriano a look before the younger nods and leaves the two of us alone.

"Gentlemen, apologies for the delay , I had to take care of a small issue at one of my clubs back in Paris."

No. There is absolutely no way .

Mattheo.

My heart thumps in my chest and stills all at once. The food I had for lunch stirs in my stomach and I want to drag my body anywhere but here.

"Pleasure to meet you," he says as he leaves Adriano's side and makes his way to Ambrose and me. His eyes meet mine and pure evil flashes through them. When I look up at Ambrose he's fully neutral, not even the slightest clue as to who is currently in front of him.

"Ambrose," he says, extending his hand. "I've had the pleasure of dealing with Horatio, glad to finally meet the man in charge."

"Marcelino, pleasure to meet you as well, and who do we have here?"

Marcelino? He has always been a good liar but clearly, he's a good actor as well.

"This is my girlfriend, Valerie." Ambrose introduces me, ignorance is not a look he wears often and it doesn't suit him at all.

"Lovely to meet you–" I start extending my hand and he quickly grabs it and brings it to his lips kissing it. "Marcelino," I choke out and immediately look up at Ambrose and how he has rage written across his expression.

"Let's head outside for dinner." Mattheo claps his hands together.