Chapter Nine

I stare at the damage, ready to bust some heads, but all I can think about is the fact that Stella is marrying someone else. There are so many hands that can be paid off. We have those who looked the other way, and those who wanted to dig deeper. Tonight of all nights, I'm not going to get the right fucker.

The fire department has been all over the scene, putting out the blaze, and I saw the questions in their eyes when I arrived with my men. It was obvious the situation is going to be settled behind the scenes without official paperwork and arrests; still, they have statements to take.

"Hello, Mr. Valentino. Might I have a word with you?" Chief Fire Inspector Rodriguez asks. This guy is on the straight and narrow, a real fucking ball-buster, as it would seem, so depending on my mood, one of us might need help. He'll need a medic, and I might need a lawyer.

"Yes." We step toward his city-issued SUV, and my men stay just feet away, on edge. "So, what can you tell me about this, Inspector?" I ask before he can start his line of questioning.

"Nothing, at the moment, other than it's contained. We'll know more in a few hours. Although, if it is arson, we ask that you allow the authorities to handle the matter." My brow cocks up. "I see that everything is falling on deaf ears."

"Do you know if anyone was inside?" I question, hoping there weren't any late back-end deals going on. If any of my men were killed, I'll go on a hunting party. It's been a long time since I've strung up carcasses by the dozen.

"Should there have been anyone inside?" He raises his brow, mouth creasing and laced with suspicion.

I don't let his snark bother me because he doesn't like my kind, and frankly, I don't like his do-gooder ass anyway. "No, there shouldn't have been anyone. However, you never know what happens when someone commits arson."

"I never said it was arson, only that it's a possibility, Mr. Valentino," he reminds me, brows raising with suspicion.

I lean in, anger getting the better of me. "My properties aren't prone to spontaneous combustion, Mr. Rodriguez." I feel Adriano's hands on my shoulders, reminding me of my actions. Straightening myself, I adjust my suit jacket and add, "Please keep me posted." This bastard hates me, and that's fine—as long as he gets me answers and minds his own business. It isn't like I lit the bitch on fire. I was in the middle of setting fire to Stella's veins while she burned her name into my soul and marked my skin with her breath, making me feel something I never expected. Something I need to push back before I do something stupid.

"We'll contact you if we have more questions. Just let us do our jobs."

"Make sure you do them properly, Inspector," I snarl.

"Is that a threat?"

"Why would I threaten a man like you? I was in the middle of the best night of my life when I was interrupted. Get this shit straightened out so our worlds are safer." I smile at the bastard and walk away. Unfortunately, there is nothing more I can do, so my men follow me to the club.

I call the head of security for the club. "Nico, get me the footage of the bar when my sister arrived. There should be footage of my sister's friends at the bar."

"Holly said you might want it."

"She's smart." I reach the club and walk up to the bar. Holly is serving a customer, so I wait a moment.

"Yes, Boss. A whiskey, neat?"

"Sure. How did you know I wanted the footage?"

"Camille's trouble, so I made an excuse not to serve them, and then you called them up there. When I saw Camille with just Rocco, I asked Sasha about the girl because I worried Ernesto would get his paws on her again. She told me she was safe upstairs with you."

"Paws on her again? Please elaborate."

"He grabbed her ass. It's probably on the video."

"What?" I question, setting my glass down without revealing the fury in my soul. Ernesto has earned himself a one-way ticket to hell, and I'm going to enjoy sending him there.

"Rocco told him that was a bad idea and dragged him away." That earned Rocco some fucking points with me, but he was still sitting too close to my angel when I walked in.

"Damn right. Thank you," I say before tapping the bar with a hundred and taking my glass.

The fucker thought he had a claim on my woman, and he was sorely mistaken. I enter the security room, and the video is cued up. The girls are at the bar, and my eyes are locked on Stella's ass, which is almost completely on display. Ernesto moves into view, blocking her, but then the camera angle switches and he's in her space, hoping to buy her a drink, which she clearly doesn't like, and Camille's trying to scam. His hands move on her the second Rocco arrives, and then he fucking cups her ass.

I punch the damn wall. Nico whispers in my ear, and I'm out the door. With a grin, I take the steps to my office two at a time. I was informed that Ernesto is waiting in my office. Round two.

My club has been emptied out for the night, and there will be no one to hear the screams. I slam the door to my office wide open, and my eyes drop to look for the cloth on the floor. Thankfully, my rug hasn't been put back in place. Lifting my gaze with a smile, I stare at my guest. "Mr. Valentino, I don't know why they're wasting your time. My date and I just…" My fist lands in his gut.

"Your date?" I questioned.

Adriano shakes his head at the fool. "Are you referring to the girl at the bar whose ass you grabbed?"

"Sorry. I didn't know she was with your sister." My hand goes to his face, breaking his nose. He cries like a little bitch, but I'm not done with him. Walking over to the wall, I hit a switch, then grab my weapon of choice and head to my guest.

Grabbing him by the throat, I stare him down. "You touched my woman. You put your filthy hands on my angel." I pull out my blade and slice off his hand. Blood gets everywhere, but luckily the guys are prepared. "This is the last time you'll stain my property with your stench." I jab the knife into his eye. "That's what you get for thinking she belonged to you." I pull the blade out, and then Adriano hands me a cloth.

Cleaning the knife, I glare at the piece of shit they're already wrapping up in the tarp. "Let that be a warning to everyone."

"Understood."

I head into my bathroom and strip out of my clothes, turning on the shower. Fuck, I need to get rid of this insane feeling coursing through me. Who the fuck is this Stella, and why is she affecting me like this?

Washing off all the blood, I ignore my raging hard-on and dress in a clean suit. When I step out, my office is spotless. I pick up my cell and call Gabe. "Give me an update."

"Grace is with her friends at your parents'. I'm outside the house, watching it. Do you want me to stay?"

"Go inside and take the sofa. No need to stay outside. We have security for that shit. Just watch out for that sneaky one."

"Don't worry. I think Gracie will toss her on her ass."

"How is…"

"I don't know. They went inside, and Gracie sent me packing. She's definitely not as soft as you think."

"We need to talk soon."

"Any problems?"

"No, everything's taken care of. Get some rest." I end the call before telling him because my father is his problem.

Now that I know she's safe in my family's home, I've decided to sleep at the club and let my temper cool before I even approach my sweet little Stella. There is no way I can face her with the rage boiling in me.