Valentina
Valentina yawned and rubbed her eyes as she studied her new office. It was nicely decorated in earth tones and a few lakeside photos dotted the walls. All she needed was the shingle with her name on it outside the door and she would be open for business. That sign was supposed to be on the door by the end of the day. It was a nice surprise when Madison greeted her first thing in the morning with treats from the Java Shop.
“That was fun last night.” Madison sipped her latte and stuffed the last bite of a chocolate pastry in her mouth. They sat on opposite sides of her desk, still empty of paperwork and files.
“You sure are chipper today. How do you do it? It’s like you’re going nonstop all the time and you don’t look a bit worse for wear.” If there was a secret, she wanted to be let in on it.
“It’s just love.” Madison’s cheeks flushed. “I know it’s corny, but ever since I’ve been with Roman, I wake up with a smile on my face each day.”
Valentina rolled her eyes. “Ugh, you didn’t grow up with him tormenting you every day and hiding your dolls. What a pest.”
Her lovesick companion just laughed. “No, but I bet he never let anyone else torment you.”
“You are correct on that one.” Val took a long sip from her coffee and set the cup on the table. “You know it’s not always going to be that way. Right?”
“Of course. That’s why marriage vows include the phrase for better or for worse.”
“You know what I mean.” Her sister-in-law knew she’d married into a mafia family but had no idea what it was like to grow up in one.
“Yes, I do know.” Madison sobered. “I’ve witnessed more violence since I’ve known Roman than I have in my entire lifetime. But it was Roman who protected me and kept me and others safe. He also promised to move the family to more legit businesses and I believe him. It will take time, and I know to not ask any questions that I don’t want to know the answers to.”
“That’s a start.” Valentina frowned.
“What’s wrong, girl?”
“I guess I just see everyone living their dreams, falling in love, reaching their goals.” Her gaze wondered to the window.
“It looks to me like you are living your dream and reaching your goals.” Madison leaned forward. “We’re sitting in your new office. As soon as the sign is on the door, the place will be booming.”
“I think I’m just worried about failing.” Valentina turned in her chair.
“If you are worry about failing, you’ll never do anything. I’m amazed at all you’ve done. You have no idea how much of a loser I feel like sometimes when I think of all you’ve accomplished. It’s amazing.” Madison was singing her praises
Valentina’s cheeks flushed with the tribute. “Are you kidding me?”
“No. How many people your age have both a law office and a place like Firenza?”
Val shrugged and slumped back in her chair. It was a lot, but if it weren’t for her family, she wouldn’t have half of the things she had. It had been their money that had afforded her to do the things she’d done.
“But I don’t think that is what has you in a funk. You want our handsome law enforcement officer for yourself, and don’t try and deny it.”
“So what if I do? He doesn’t want me.” She took another sip of her latte.
“How do you know?” Madison stood up and walked around the room as she talked. “I think you are both so uptight about what everyone thinks that you don’t know what you want.” Truer words could not have been spoken.
“Our family—” Val started, but was interrupted.
“I have a feeling that no matter who you pick for your man, Roman and your father are going to hate him.” She stopped in front of the desk and placed her hands on her hips. “That said, I think Officer Ryan is the only one with enough balls to stand up to both of them. And if you like him as much as I think you do, you’d better go get him before someone else does.”
“I just don’t know.” There was a knot in her gut.
“For a lawyer, you sure don’t put up much of a fight.”
“I’m a damn good fighter. I’m just not good as this dating stuff.”
“Is anyone? Geez, girl. Do you like him?” Madison challenged.
“Yes.” She lifted one shoulder and dropped it. “He’s good looking.”
“And?”
“He has a job and seems to care about people.”
“And?”
“And I have no idea what to do about it.”
“I do.”
“What, walk over and ask him out?”
“No, but you could get to know him first. Looks are fine but you have to have something to back that up.”
Of course looks faded, but it was his drive to always do what was right that appealed to her. After being in a family that always seemed to be on the wrong side of the law, someone on the right side was a step in the right direction.
“I agree, but I feel like I made a mess of everything the other night, not to mention big brother stepping in and threatening him.”
“I don’t think Ryan seemed too upset. I think he would have stayed if he hadn’t gotten that phone call. It had to have been important for him to leave.” Her sister-in-law crossed her arms over her chest and was quiet. After a few seconds, her face lit up. “I know. I know what you could do.”
“What?” Valentina would take any suggestions she could get. After all, Madison had snagged one of the most sought after and richest bachelors around.
“I ran into Danny the other day and she mentioned a new program they were starting at the station. It’s for troubled kids and kids who just needed some direction. A type of work program to give them experience. You could go down to the station and sign your law office up. Just think, you could get someone to help around here. Make coffee, file papers, things like that.” She stopped and made a sweeping motion with her hand. “Well, when you have some work.”
A work program? Her chair creaked as she leaned back. That was a good idea to have someone here in case she had to leave. She would eventually need help. “I like it.”
Madison rounded the desk and gave Val’s chair a push. She was nothing if not subtle. “Go down there before you chicken out.”
Grabbing her purse, Valentina got to her feet. “Let’s go.”
“Oh, hell no. You are doing this on your own.”
“Okay.” She tossed both of their empty coffee cups in the trash. “Well, can I at least give you a ride somewhere?”
They walked out the door and she spied Arlo leaning against one of Roman’s black SUVs. “I forgot your ride is already here. Hi, Arlo.” She waved and he nodded.
“Good luck, Val. My only advice is if it is meant to be, it will be.” Madison gave her a shoulder a quick squeeze.
“What’s meant to be?” her brother’s, and now Madison’s, bodyguard asked as he opened the vehicle door.
“I’m trying to find Val a man,” Maddy explained.
Arlo rolled his eyes. “Heaven help the poor man,” he grumbled under his breath.
“What?” That hurt. Valentina pouted.
“I didn’t mean it that way. You know I love ya like a sister, but you know what it’s like with your brother and father. Have you ever even gone on a date?”
Val stopped and turned bright red. “Yes, a couple times, in fact.”
“What?” Madison gasped. “You’re joking, right?”
“There wasn’t much time for fun.” Never had she felt so stupid and she narrowed her eyes at Arlo, who whispered an apology.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.” Madison touched her arm. “You’ll be fine. He’s a good man. I know it.”
Confidence gone, Val hugged her goodbye and stepped back to the sidewalk. Shutting the door, Arlo stepped to her side. “For what it’s worth, the man who will be able to stand up to your family will be the one I respect to stand by your side.” He patted her shoulder before rounding the vehicle. Tears threatened. Arlo was a good man and just as single as she was, but like he said, they were like brother and sister. He started the SUV and the pair disappeared down the street.
A cool breeze caressed her cheek and Valentina hugged her sweater tighter. Soon, she wouldn’t be able to be outside without a coat. The thought of spending another cold winter alone stiffened her resolve to find that special someone. Whether going to the local police department today would fix that problem remained to be seen. At least she was doing something good and hopefully help out a youth who needed direction.
She may have cursed her family at times but she had always been taken care of and protected. Not everyone was that lucky.
Ryan
Ryan eyed the box of donuts in the breakroom with caution. They looked good but it was hard to tell how long they’d been there. Using his better judgement, he just poured some coffee that was probably passed its freshness date as well. What it lacked in taste it made up for in temperature.
The hot liquid seemed to burn its way down his throat and his cheeks heated. It did the trick to clear the cobwebs in his brain. His usually quiet town was getting busy. In just a few short days there was a young woman’s death, Tyler’s accident, and, of course, the return of Valentina Caponelli. What was he thinking kissing her? She was trouble. It wasn’t her fault but it was guilt by association. Still, it was worth it. The coffee warmed his belly, or was it his thoughts of a certain beauty from Chicago.
Walking out of the room, he thought he must be dreaming. Valentina was talking to Danny at the front desk. If Roman was standing with her, it would be a strong bet that she was there to file a sexual harassment charge for manhandling her in a parking lot, but she was by herself. She was also smiling, a beautiful, heart stopping smile. Her lips were full and soft. That he remembered and would never forget. He leaned to rest a shoulder against the wall, but quickly recovered after realizing he was a lot farther away than he thought. Except for some coffee spotting the floor, there was no damage done. Ryan quickly grabbed some napkins from the breakroom.
Mess cleaned up, he was ready to go say hi to Valentina, but she was gone.
“Hi, Ry,” Danny greeted as she walked by.
“Hi.” He grabbed her arm. “Uh, hey, Danny, got a sec?”
“Yeah, what’s up? At least you are.” She laughed. “I saw you almost wipe out. What the hell was that about?”
“Nothing. I slipped.” He tried to brush it away. “Say, was that Miss Caponelli you were talking to?”
“Valentina?” She tilted her head and rested her elbows on her gun belt. “Are you serious? You’ve got it bad.”
He rubbed his forehead. “Not sure what you mean.”
“Yes, you do. Of course it was her. Damn, if you want to date her, just go ask her,” she teased.
“I. Don’t. Date.” Saying it one word at a time wasn’t fooling anyone but he tried. “I just wanted to know why she was here.”
A fist came out of nowhere and hit him in the arm. “You know what, Donavan? You’re a dumbass.”
“Oww! What the hell, Danny?” He rubbed the sore spot. Not only did she swear worse than any man, she hit harder.
“I don’t know the reasoning behind why you don’t want to date, but in the right light you aren’t half bad to look at. Do yourself, and the rest of us, a favor and go ask her out. You don’t want to end up alone. You remember old man Halverson. Don’t ya?”
How could he forget? That was a bad day, to say the least. John Halverson and his brother had been bachelors for years and lived on the edge of town. A few years ago, John’s brother died, leaving him home alone, just him and his old Collie dog. One day they got a call at the station from Halverson’s mailman. The box at the end of his driveway was full and the man’s car hadn’t moved in a week.
Ryan and Danny drove out to see what was going on. They could tell as soon as they looked in the window that the man was dead and had been for at least a week. It was a sad case. The poor dog was starved half to death and wouldn’t let anyone near his master. To this day it still brought a tear to his eye.
“I don’t want to end up like John.” It choked him up just to speak about it.
“Then don’t.” She pointed a finger in his face. “I like dicks, not chicks, and even I think she’s hot. I could tell Valentina was looking around too. Like she was hoping to catch sight of you.”
“You think so?” It would be easier if he knew she felt the same way but their time together the other night had been a disaster. “What was she doing here anyway?”
“Your love goddess was just wondering about the work program the department just started. She wants to hire someone for her law office.”
“Really? I forgot about that.” Not only did his admiration for her just go up a notch, his pride did too. It was a win-win situation. The program kept kids busy and off the street while giving them valuable work experience, and the company got much needed help.
“Really. Are we done now? Do you have your head out of your ass so I can get some work done?”
“Yeah.” He couldn’t help but laugh. Whoever ended up with Danny would have his hands full, that was for sure.
“I’m hoping to go over all the reports from Tracy’s death. We should have the autopsy results soon.” The woman was already stepping backward down the hallway.
“As soon as you hear anything, let me know.” It still kicked him in the gut every time he thought of her dying at such a young age and all alone. The image would probably never be erased from his mind.
“Okay, well, I better see if I can catch up with Val, uh, Miss Caponelli and see what we can come up with.”
Danny smiled. “Just bring her some flowers. Girls like that kind of shit.”
“I’ll do even better.” The idea was already forming in his mind. “I’ll bring her a kid.”