Page 35 of Bulletproof Baby

"I don't have enough to tell yet."

"You have plenty, but only if you're comfortable."

"I'll tell you what's making me uncomfortable. This stupid dress. Get me out of this," I tell him as I desperately reach around for the zipper in the back of the corseted bodice.

We never make it to Zollos, opting to stay home with the pizza and vodka to make a bunch of memories and inside jokes that will drive our family crazy every time we get together. Frankie's advice is solid, and as every day passes, my attachment to Valentino lessens.

It bothers me less and less that he's not blowing up my phone or showing up at Frankie's place unannounced. I still want his attention, but I know there's a lot happening right now. Our only communication typically comes when he's arranging transportation for me to go somewhere. He doesn't want any of Saul's people to know I haven't been kidnapped. It's a tiresome and redundant routine and conversation. However, by the time three weeks pass, I'm beginning to rethink how much space I want and if this is truly the safest option for me.

Frankie and I are great roommates. We dodge the important questions and conversations when it comes to my life and focus on his life. There are a few nights where he doesn't come home, leaving me scared out of my mind, but he always turns up with a tawdry tale of his “sexcapades” as he likes to call them. It makes me crave to get out and do something. Hell, I even miss going to work. My parents are happy to give me some time off. I leave out the thwarted kidnapping attempt, but they're genuinely happy to give me time to take care of myself. God forbid they take care of me.

When a Friday night rolls around and Frankie finally has off, we decide to head out to enjoy ourselves. I can't get a hold of Valentino, but I'm sure that by now, Saul's no longer looking for me. There's no way that Saul believes I'm being held captive this entire time, right? Valentino's probably made it safe for me to go out, and the security measures are for both our benefits, peace of mind and all. Going out with Frankie is going to be fun and exciting. I can escape the chaos.

I even put on the one-sleeve dress that enhances my thick hourglass shape. The shoes on my feet hurt like hell, but they're cute. Frankie throws on a pair of dark jeans with a dark navy button-up shirt. We look amazing.

I'm definitely ready for a night out. However, once we step outside of Frankie's building, something feels off. My eyes scan the street as I search for the car that Valentino lets me use. The security transport comes with a driver who doubles as a bodyguard. That would make me feel far more comfortable than this dress. Fuck, I should have slipped deodorant between my chafing thighs. They'll be raw by morning with the way Frankie likes to dance until sunrise.

Frankie offers to call a cab or hail a taxi. However, it's pointless as a group of men come out of the shadows. They're efficient, quick, and far more professional than the ones who broke into my apartment weeks ago. Valentino warned me this might happen. He warned me that someone would find out the first team failed and would try again.

My eyes go wide just as I see Frankie go down. Fight or flight kicks in as I kick off one shoe, readying myself to run. An arm grips me around the waist as a cloth covers my face. A faintly sweet smell of a chemical cleanser swarms my nostrils. My inhale is deep, instinctual, and gives me little time to realize what's happening. The world around me fades to black.

16

VALENTINO

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway of my Hamptons Bay beach house has my pulse racing. The time and planning it takes to kidnap someone successfully is an art form. Something the people Caputo hired know nothing about.

The heaviness of the tires tells me they're pulling around to the back of the house, where I head outside to greet them. Two masked men get out of the driver’s and passenger seats. They move silently around the car before opening the back door. One takes a step back for me to look inside.

Lia's asleep in one hell of a dress. One shoe is on her foot and the other is on the floor of the back seat. I reach inside to cradle her in my arms. She doesn't look hurt.

"Any problems?" I ask the masked soldier.

"No, sir. The guy's back in his apartment sleeping it off. She's been out for nearly two hours. Didn't give her much, she should be coming out of it in the next hour or so."

Lia moans and stirs in my arms. I look at them. "Thank you fellas. Take a trip."

They nod and get back inside the car to drive off the property. The smell of the ocean air coming off the beach makes me want to spend the rest of the night looking up at the stars, sleeping on the sand with Lia in my arms. Of course, she has to be awake first.

The soft scent of her vanilla soap brings a smile to my face, reminding me of the last time we were this close. It sucks that moment is tainted with memories of men invading her home. I have my own dark memories, nightmares that plague some sleepless nights. I never want Lia to have that, but as I cradle her in my arms, I wonder how much this night is going to affect her. Is she going to care that this was my plan? That she's finally safe?

"Where's Frankie?" she whispers, her words barely come together. "What did you do to him?"

"Frankie's fine, Lia," I tell her as we step through the door, leading into the kitchen. I take her straight into the spare bedroom where as soon as I lay her down, her arm wraps my neck and yanks me down toward her.

She's awake, and she's pissed.

I don't think she knows it's me. Or if she does, she doesn't care as she keeps me close, trying to put me in a headlock. She's strong.

"Lia," I call her name between grunts as I try to get her off of me without hurting her.

She throws me to the side and gets off the bed, trying to make a run for it. I don't let her get far, grabbing her around the waist and yanking her back into me. She feels just as I remember. I can't stop thinking of how much of an asshole I must be for her anger to turn me on this much.

The minute she gets a chance, she elbows me in the side, forcing me to spin her around.

"Look at me, Lia," I tell her. Her eyes, the fear fades and anger surges.

She pushes against my chest. "You did this?! You had those guys come and drug me? How long have I been knocked out? Where's Frankie? Is he alright?"