“None of this is your fault. Please never think something like this can be your fault. Ever.” Giulio tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, softening his gaze before the only lips I’ll ever love meet my forehead. “You’re coming home with me, darling.”
Giulio
The bastard knew exactly what placing his hands on my wife would do to me. This is it. The final straw. Nobody fucking touches Valencia. Nobody fucks with my family. This is personal and he will get everything coming his way.
After receiving a call from Helena stating Valencia had asked her to pick up the twins but still hadn’t returned after six long hours, I backtracked every movement. Marcus told me she mentioned meeting Bryce at The Red Tavern and I immediately sensed something was wrong, especially when all my calls went to her voicemail.
Lance offered to collect the twins from my sister-in-law and look after them at my house since it’s my custody night. I needed to be the one to find Valencia. As I enter my house now, Lance’s jaw drops at the sight of us; a passed out Valencia in my arms, bridal style. That manila folder…it’s somewhere on the ground, between my Porsche and the door exiting the garage.
This is going to be a night I’ll never forget.
“Giulio…I’m sorry.”
I hold onto her tighter. This is one of the first times in months that we’ve been this close. I surrender to her. I need her, just as much as she needs me. Her vanilla scent reminds me of a time when life was tranquil. Not this nightmare.
“None of this is your fault. Please never think something like this can be your fault. Ever.” I sweep her soft waves behind her ear and soften my gaze. My lips gravitate to her and I kiss her forehead. “You’re coming home with me.”
“I br-brought him a folder and was helping him. I didn’t expect him to…”
“Do we need to file his sexual misconduct as sexual harassment or sexual assault?”
She shakes her head, sobbing. “No. I don’t want to deal with th-the police again.”
“Let’s take it slow. Can you tell me what happened?”
I can hear Bryce shuffling behind us, speaking with the bartender. I’m not a violent man, but Bryce brought me to another level tonight. I want to finish him. Right here. This time with my words. But Valencia is my priority. I need to take care of her first.
Valencia tells me everything in detail. Twice she stops and I accompany her into the bathroom. I rub her lower back and hold her hair back when she throws up.
The first time we return, Bryce is gone.
The second time, the whole place is shutting down early.
Valencia tells me she feels better after emptying her stomach, however, I know it’s not over. She’s still tipsy. I get her a water, shove the damn manila folder between my belt and dress shirt, and scoop her in my arms. She falls asleep as I slip her into my car. Her Jeep is parked in front of mine. I’ll collect it tomorrow—after I hunt down Bryce McCarson and treat him like the coward he is.
“What happened, man?”
“Bryce McCarson happened. You should have seen him.”
Lance brushes a hand over his light crew cut, before locking the front door and rushing by my side to ensure I can make it up the stairs with her. Of course I can. If this was any other occasion I would be rejoicing that she’s in my arms and this close to me…
Not tonight.
I’m beyond pissed off.
I should’ve got there quicker.
Lance weaves past us at the landing to open the door to my bedroom. I can always count on him. He was my best man and my closest friend since we attended the Washington State University together, which is also why I hired him as my project manager at Notti Designs after we graduated.
Valencia whimpers in my arms as I lay her on what used to be our bed. Her peaceful expression crumbles. Those full lips I used to kiss press together in silent protest.
Oh, Dio.
Half asleep, she doesn’t let me go and I don’t want her to. My body relaxes when her hands slither around my shoulder blades and she pulls me into her hair. It drives me deeper into her, into everything I once had.
Valencia needs me tonight. I know more than ever not to ruin it.
No talk of Addilyn.
No talk of Bryce.
Just comfort.
“What did he do?”
I do my best to brief Lance with my turned head. “Almost sexually assaulted her—actually, it was more than that. Not one fucking person in there intervened. I asked and they thought they were a couple. Can you believe that? Marcus saved me on this one. If it wasn’t for him…I would not have known where to look.”
His eyes widen. “Did McCarson…?”
“The bastard was close.”
“Oh, shit! I’m sorry, man. Did you manage to speak to him?”
“He left before I had the chance to. They were both drunk. Bryce had her pinned down, non-consensually kissing her neck and attempting to convince her that she deserves better than me. My first reaction was to pull him off and punch him in the face. Fuck. I’m losing my mind. I could have done more. I should have done more.”
“You did what you could, Giulio.”
“But what if my best isn’t good enough?” I shake my head, causing Valencia’s arms to fall. No. Hold onto me, baby.
She stirs in her sleep and curls into fetal position. I loathe her wine stained dress and the whiff of Bryce I get from her.
How dare he fucking touch my girl?
Yes.
My girl.
Rising from the bed, I walk to where Lance is standing but can’t look away from Valencia Giannotti. I’m too worked up. Too preoccupied something will happen to her even if I blink. “I was in London on a
