CHAPTER EIGHT - THE WOMAN BEFORE SCARLET
705 Words
"Leonardo,” Valeria called again, her stilettos tapping rhythmically against the floor as she ascended the stairs.
He recognized that sultry purr in her voice—the kind that sent shivers down his spine.
When she reached the entrance of his office, she pushed the door open slowly, teasingly.
She was draped in a side-slit gown that revealed the curve of her left torso, stomach, and hips.
“Darling, I knew you’d be buried in thought,” she cooed, swaying seductively.
“I heard we almost got caught by those bastards. Is it true?” she asked, striding toward him.
Leonardo’s eyes traced the smooth skin along her sides—tempting, inviting.
He knew why she was here. Their usual routine of a few heated exchanges, knocking over the items on his desk, and then— having some intimate moments together; but not today, maybe never
Leonardo stretched his neck, exhaling slowly before sitting up to adjust his posture.
Valeria reached for the buttons of his shirt, but he caught her wrist and gently pushed her hands away.
“News travels fast, doesn’t it?” he murmured.
“It always does,” she replied with a smirk.
Leonardo rose from his chair and walked to the window, gazing out at the mountainous terrain. He needed to avoid her advances.
“But you know,” Valeria continued, “I was thinking we could have some victory drinks. The cops have nothing on us.”
She giggled, retrieving a bottle of champagne from the wine cellar. As she approached, she slid her hands down his waist, lower, until she gripped his manhood.
She whispered sweet nothings into his ear, sending warmth through his body.
His eyes met hers.
For a moment, he felt himself slipping into the old pattern.
Then, Scarlet’s face flashed in his mind.
Leonardo immediately withdrew, taking a deep breath.
“What’s wrong?” Valeria asked, perplexed.
Leonardo had never turned her down before.
“I’m just not in the mood,” he said firmly.
“Oh, come on. We won this battle. We should celebrate,” she insisted, leaning in for a kiss.
“Could you stop?” Leonardo barked, pushing her away slightly.
Valeria froze.
She couldn’t believe it.
Leonardo had never rejected her advances.
He saw the disbelief on her face but didn’t care. Right now, he just wanted her to leave.
“You know,” she muttered, “it’s surprising that you’d turn me down without a valid explanation. You didn’t even ask how my trip to Toledo went.”
Shit. She was right.
Valeria had gone to oversee the retrieval of gasoline tanks for his drug lab.
He should have asked about it.
But no—he had been too preoccupied with thoughts of the woman who had captivated his heart.
“About that,” Leonardo began.
“How did—”
“Oh, keep your words to yourself, Leo,” Valeria snapped.
“I always knew I was just a pawn in your empire. You never actually cared about me. I was nothing more than a tool for your pleasure. You want to know how the deal went? Fine—it went well. We closed on a solid agreement. Happy now? Are you?”
Her voice poured out like an untamed flood.
Leonardo’s patience snapped.
Without warning, he grabbed her by the throat.
She gasped, her fingers clawing at his grip.
“You… are… hurting… me,” she choked out, struggling against his hold.
He let go.
“Don’t ever speak to me like that again,” he warned. “Unless you want your body scattered for the vultures to feast on.”
Valeria staggered back, rubbing her neck.
She had seen Leonardo's ruthlessness before—but never directed at her.
She stared at him, shaken.
Leonardo turned away, refusing to meet her eyes.
He wanted to apologize—she deserved better—but her outburst had triggered his fury. Even if he tried, she would likely storm off.
She would get over it.
And maybe—just maybe—he would eventually give her what she wanted.
But probably not.
Not when his mind was consumed by the only woman he truly desired—Scarlet Blackwood.
I
- Writer
