His Chosen Mafia Queen

Chapter 9

Valentino’s POV

After leaving Sophia’s apartment, I linger in the hallway

across from the elevator, hoping Soph would change her

mind and invite me back into her apartment. After several

excruciating minutes, I sigh and press the elevator button,

and seconds later, the door opens.

Every floor that takes me further from her feels like a

punch to the gut, especially now that she knows how I’ve

always felt about her and she didn't reciprocate or

acknowledge it…I mean, I get it, she probably never felt

that way I did and still do…if she did feel the same, I’m

sure she definitely doesn’t now…I caused her pain, and

now she’s in danger because of how I feel about her…I

brought chaos into her life.

Once the elevator stops on my floor, Owen is standing by

my door, then follows me once I enter and throw myself

on the couch,

“That bad?” He asks while locking the door.

“Yes…she knows everything,” I reply in a somber voice.“Everything?….like EVERYTHING;

everything?….feelings, danger, silent invisible protector,

dirty hands, everything”?

“Yes, O, Everything except how dirty my hands actually

are, but she’s not dumb, I know she knows being in the

mafia means my hands are stained red.”

“How did she take it?”

“As good as to be expected, I guess…part of me was

hoping for some kind of reciprocation, but instead I got

kicked out.”

Owen laughs, which causes me to give him a death stare,

then he responds with a surrender hand gesture.

“I’m sorry, man, that s**t sucks…I just can’t help but

laugh when I think of the big, tough Maria boss King

being defeated and kicked out by Sophia.”

“Shut up, Owen, you would be the same way if Carmen

did that s**t to you.”

“That’s true, but we’re talking about you, not me, and we

both know you would laugh at the idea of me being put in

my place by my petite Carmen.”I can’t help but let out a little laughter at the image of

Carmen manhandling him to put him in his place.

“See V, you’re imagining it now, aren't you?”

I shake my head in response, which causes both of us to

laugh.

“So what now?” Asks Owen in a serious tone.

“We continue searching for information on who's after

Soph while protecting her.”

“About that…the letter was a real threat, and it came from

someone in Al’s old territory.”

“We need to find out who it’s from…we took care of Al,

and most of his followers submitted or retired because

they were tired of this life, so either we have a traitor

amongst us now, or he had followers we didn’t know

about.”

“I’m on it, boss…we’ll catch the person behind this

soon.”

“We'd better…double up on the search efforts and

question all of Al’s old retired and reformed men, if you

have to scare them a little, do so.”“Are you sure, boss?”

“Damn right I am, Sophia’s safety is my first concern.”

“I understand, but it might mean removing a couple of

men from Sophia’s security team who specialize in the

kind of work we need done here.”

“Take whoever you need to get the job done. I’ll be

joining, watching over Sophia personally, and I’ll have

some of the guys follow closely…she might not like it,

but she has no choice…I’m not taking any chances with

her life.”

“What about your life?”

“No one would dare f**k with me.”

“I’m sorry, V, but you’re wrong.”

“Who in their right mind would f**k with me?”

“Sophia!”

“Damn, you’re right! I don’t know how I’m going to get

her on board.”

“Maybe Carmen can?”“No, Owen, this is something I have to do myself.”

“Okay, I’m just glad I got the easier job,” he states while

walking to the door.

I shake my head in agreement with a mixture of a slight

scuff and a chuckle sound.

“Don’t worry, boss, we’ll find them before anything can

happen to Sophia.”

“Thanks, O.”