Chapter 32 Chapter 33
Valerie's POV
“What have I gotten myself into?” I asked myself for the one millionth time, digging my fingers into my hair.
The strands twisted between my hands as I tugged it, wincing like a frustrated child.
I did not even care about the sting spreading across my scalp as the pain which I felt was the least of my worries.
After Luciano dropped that ridiculous condition of buying my freedom with fifty billion dollars, he had simply walked out.
He was calm and unbothered as if he hadn’t just turned my life into a joke.
When he stepped out of the room, the door had shut behind him with a quiet click that echoed louder than a slam.
I really wanted to chase him, to scream at him until he changed his mind and gave me another option.
My body had leaned forward instinctively, ready to run after him but my feet refused to move.
It was not out of pride, no this was different.
Somewhere deep down, I knew he meant every word as he didn’t bluff.
If he gave a condition, it was because he already knew I couldn’t meet it.
He wanted me trapped and fortunately for him, he got what he wanted.
Frustrated, I dragged in a slow breath then collapsed into the bed, the soft mattress swallowing me whole.
The pristine ceiling stretched endlessly above, the chandelier glittering faintly as it swayed to the music only it could hear.
Lying there, my thoughts spun like a storm, yet my body stayed still.
I wasn’t someone who gave up. I had survived worse situations than this so this was just another challenge, another wall to climb.
Gripping the edge of the bed, I sucked my teeth, rolling onto my side as ideas raced through my mind.
There had to be a loophole, a weakness I could exploit.
“Lauren,” I whispered suddenly, squeezing my eyes shut.
Guilt twisted in my chest as I recalled the fright on her face when I walked through her door several hours ago.
I had dragged her into this, and now she was probably terrified because of me.
I wanted to reach out, to hear her voice, to make sure she was safe but Luciano had cut off every line of communication like he was surgically removing pieces of my life.
Biting my bottom lips, I allowed my fingers to curl into the bedsheets.
Just as a frustrated scream began to build in my throat, something clicked inside my brain and I shot upright.
An idea just clicked.
My chest became warm as a grin spread slowly across my face.
I didn't have to see my face in the mirror before I knew it was wicked and triumphant.
“Yes…” I murmured, swinging my legs off the bed. “Yes, that could work.”
I hurried toward the desktop placed against the wall, my pulse quickening.
The screen lit up instantly when I pressed the power button.
“Please be connected, please be connected.” I whispered in prayer.
After booting, the WiFi symbol appeared and that instant, relief flooded through me.
I logged into my email quickly, my fingers flying across the keyboard. I was going to send an email to the German embassy.
If I could get temporary protection or accommodation through official channels, Luciano wouldn’t be able to touch me, not without creating an international incident.
The thought made my smile widened.
“You always find a way out,” I muttered to myself, rubbing my hands together in glee.
I began typing, carefully choosing each word.
If this worked, I wouldn’t just escape Luciano, I would put a distance between me and my father.
When I finished, I reread it three times, checking for mistakes as every detail mattered.
My finger hovered over the send button, that was when I heard footsteps.
At first, I dismissed it as my imagination but then the footsteps grew louder and closer.
Wondering what was going on, my heart began to slam against my ribs.
Before I could react, the door swung open and Luciano stepped inside.
I jumped up so quickly that my chair scraped loudly against the floor.
Instinctively, I moved in front of the screen, blocking his view. I couldn't let him see what I was trying to do as it was too risky.
Trying to keep my gaze on him, my pulse was racing wildly as I tried to steady my breathing.
When he didn't say anything for the next few minutes, my eyes dropped to his bare chest.
My brain short-circuited for a full second.
He stood there shirtless and hair slightly damp as if he had just come from a shower.
His well defined muscles stretched across his torso, every line sharp and deliberate like something sculpted rather than born.
Heat rushed to my face before I could stop it and he must have seen it as his lips twitched.
“You can take a picture,” he said lazily. “It will last longer.”
My head snapped up, mortified.
“I wasn’t staring,” I snapped.
“You were,” he replied calmly.
Tilting my head to the side, I crossed my arms, trying to recover my composure.
“What do you want?” I huffed.
He walked further into the room like he belonged there which, annoyingly, he did.
“I’m spending the night here,” he said casually.
My jaw dropped and when I finally found my tongue, I yelled, “Hell no, that is not going to happen.”
He tilted his head slightly, studying my reaction like it amused him.
“Why?” he asked mildly.
“Because this is my room,” I shot back. “And you’re not invited.”
“That has never stopped me before.” He shrugged like it was nothing.
Fuming with anger, I rolled my eyes hard enough that it hurt.
“You’re not even scared that I might stab you in your sleep?” I blurted without thinking.
His gaze sharpened at my words, amusement flickering dangerously in his eyes.
“That,” he said slowly, “is coming from someone who couldn’t dodge a bullet.”
The words hit like a slap as anger flared instantly.
Without thinking, I raised my hand to slap him but before my palm could land on his face, his hand caught my wrist midair.
His grip was firm and unyielding.
My breath hitched as he spun me around effortlessly, pulling me against him. The sudden movement knocked the air from my lungs.
“Let go,” I hissed, trying to break free from the connection.
Instead, he leaned down and kissed me.
It was at that moment that the world stopped.
His lips were warm, firm and commanding in a way that made my thoughts scatter. I should have pushed him away, I should have fought him off.
Instead, for one dangerous second, I froze and worse of all, I liked it.
The realization terrified me, bringing me back to my senses.
Scowling, I shoved him hard in his chest, breaking the kiss.
“What is wrong with you?” I snapped, masking the chaos inside me with anger.
He didn’t answer, he just looked at me with that infuriating calm like he knew what I was desperately trying to hide.
I opened my mouth, ready to yell at him and unleash every emotion tangled inside me but then a knock interrupted.
Luciano glanced toward the door, a slow smile spreading across his face as he stepped away from me.
I expected him to ignore the knock, but instead, he made his way towards the door with an infuriating smile on his lips.