Page 55 of War Within
Before I went to clean up, I strode to the edge of the bed. Placing a hand on her leg once again, I exhaled sharply.
After finishing up some work in the guardhouse, I went to check on Valentina. She texted me letting me know she was in the study. I watched her for a moment before she turned her head, tears glistening as the reflection of the flames danced off them.
Striding over, I yanked her close to my body. “Babe, please don't cry.”
“Emir, she's the first woman my dad's truly liked since my mom. I can just tell, even if I can’t quite read her, yet. My heart breaks for him. My heart also breaks for Marco.” She choked slightly on her sobbing. “I've listened and haven't reached out to him. But I miss him and think something is wrong. He will be so sad when he finds out about Jane.”
Watching her this way was killing me. I sighed internally as not to alarm her. I needed to tell her, but her dad would kill me. “Valentina, we need to talk.”
“I need to talk to you too.” She wiped her tears, sniffling.
My palms gently stroked her arms up and down. “You first.”
“After all this, I can't see myself away from you any longer. I want to transfer here and be with you full time.”
“No.” I took a step back. “I don’t meanno. I just mean, don't give up college because of me, baby.”
“Emir, I can do it from here. I’ve been in love with you since I was sixteen.”
I chuckled, remembering her innocent crush. “And I want to stay with you.” The thought of her father murdering me went through my mind. I loved her and wanted her to be happy. Her heart’s desires were my focus just as much as protecting her father. “If you're sure this is what you want, I support you, but you have to make sure your dad is on board. I won’t disrespect him. I mean, not with something that huge.”
“I will talk to him. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Can I stay in your room with you tonight?” She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth.
“What if your dad finds out?” I groaned. “I just feel like he starting to like me. We've never stayed together with him around.”
“Not to his knowledge anyway.” She giggled.
Squinting, I shook my head, trying my best to stifle my smirk. “He did give me permission to be with you.” I sighed, torn between my desire to be close to her, and keep her father’s trust. “But he’s still going to be mad at us staying overnight together.”
“I don't want to be without you right now.” She buried her face in my chest.
Wrapping my arms around her, I kissed her wet hair.
“He's too distracted and I think you and I both, could use our own distraction.”
“You’re going to get me killed Valentina, but fine. I can’t saynoto you.”
“AHEM!”
We backed away from our kiss quickly, putting space between us. Valentina’s mouth fell agape as she averted her gaze. I swallowed hard, knowing this was my last moment alive. I leaned back on the cabinets.Fuck.
“Should I come back tomykitchen later or are you guys done?” Shooting us both daggers, he crossed his arms.
“Good morning, sir.” I picked my coffee up off the counter, placing the rim to my lips, getting in a last taste before it was replaced by the iron flavor of blood.
“Do you have to do that in the kitchen?” He scoffed, striding to the coffee maker, pouring himself his own cup.
“Sorry, dad.” Valentina shifted her weight back and forth, forcing herself to look him in the eyes.
“When I told Emir you guys could be together,” her father rounded the island, coming to a stop in front of us, “I didn't mean all over the house. I need to make breakfast. I gave the staff the rest of the week off.”
“We already did, see.” Valentina opened the oven. “I put it in here to keep it warm for you and I assure you we didn't kiss near the pancakes.”
Curling his lip, he shook his head, taking a sip of his coffee.
