Signed To The Mafia King - Chapter 69: Chapter 69

ALINA
I woke up late, still feeling heavy with sleep.
Blinking against the sunlight pouring through the curtains, I stretched, but the movement made me stop at once.
Something felt off.
My skin was touching the sheets, I could feel the air against my body.
I pushed the blanket back, and the realization hit me like a punch.
I wasn’t wearing anything.
A sharp shot of shock went through me, as my eyes snapped to the chair near the closet. My clothes were neatly folded and stacked on it.
Luca.
My mind went back to last night. The last thing I remembered was leaning against him in the car.
Had he carried me upstairs? Undressed me?
A strange feeling lit in my stomach. It was partly disbelief, and partly something else I wasn’t ready to name.
Shoving the thought aside, I got up and grabbed my robe, heading straight for the bathroom.
The hot water ran over my skin, but it did nothing to clear my head.
Luca had been gentle because I hadn't even woken up.
He had been careful, because if he had wanted to cross a line, he would have. But he hadn’t.
Still, something about it worried me.
I finished quickly, got dressed, and left the room.
Downstairs, Sofia was in the dining room, stirring her coffee lazily. She looked up as I walked in.
“I was just about to come find you.”
I pulled out a chair and sat down. “What for?”
“I’m leaving for London in two days.”
I grinned at her. Sofia had wanted to go so that was good. “Finally, some good news.”
She smiled back. “I was thinking of traveling alone, but I knew you’d suggest something else.”
I nodded. “I’ll call my mother. You two can go together.”
She sighed, shaking her head with fake solemness. “I knew it. I'll be out to get a new suitcase.”
“Why?” I asked.
“I lost the last one I came home with.” She said sadly.
“When are you going?”
“This afternoon.”
“I’ll be home all day,” I said. “I just need to meet with Valerie first.”
Sofia hummed, sipping her coffee, but I was already standing, my mind elsewhere.
The meeting had been on my mind since last night.
I made my way to the other wing of the house. Luca had agreed Valerie could stay there for now.
Before I even reached the door, I heard Maya laughing. The sound was light and sweet to my ears.
I smiled.
Inside, the scent of food filled the space. Valerie stood by the stove, sleeves rolled up, flipping something in a pan.
On the floor, Leo and Maya were playfully struggling over a pile of crayons, despite the fact that there was another pile lying untouched beside them.
I laughed. “Valentina and I used to do the same thing.”
Valerie turned, grinning. She looked more relaxed, her hair in a beautiful bun. “Some things never change.”
She reached down, ruffling Leo’s curls before moving to the table. I sat across from her.
“How are you feeling?” I asked.
She stretched her arms above her head, letting out a satisfied sigh. “Fantastic.”
I nodded. I was glad to hear that. At least she could relax and rest for now. I knew that very soon, Riot and his brother would start fighting to take her back, but at least, she could breath for a moment.
I watched her for a moment. She looked better. Lighter. Like she had finally let go of whatever weight she’d been carrying.
I opened my mouth to ask more, but before I could, she leaned forward, resting her arms on the table.
“I’m leaving tomorrow.”
I was shocked. What did she mean by leaving?
A beat of silence passed before I found my voice. “Where?”
She shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet.”
I frowned. “Then why leave?”
Her lips pulled into a small smile. “Because it’s time.”
“Valerie…”
She held up her hand. “I know what you’re going to say. That I don’t have to go. That I should stay until I figure things out. But, Alina…” She exhaled. “...I can’t.”
My hands curled slightly against the table. “You don’t have a plan.”
“I don’t need one,” she said simply.
That made something hot rise in me. “That’s reckless.”
She smiled. “It’s freedom.”
I stared at her, searching for hesitation, for doubt, but there was none.
She was serious.
A part of me understood. Another part of me hated it.
She was leaving.
And for some reason, I wasn’t ready for that.
I drummed my fingers against the table, exhaling slowly. “Maybe I do feel guilty about your father’s death.”
She looked at me, eyes sharp.
I held her eyes. “Not because I did anything, but because he died because of my father.” I leaned back slightly. “But you leaving doesn’t change anything, Valerie.”
She sighed, rubbing a hand down her face. “I know.”
“Then stay.”
She blinked. “Alina…”
I shook my head. “Leaving with two children makes you vulerable. Riot and Daniel will find you in no time.”
Her jaw tightened.
“They’re still angry,” I continued. “And the only place they will never come for you is here. Under Luca’s protection, you’ll be safe.”
Valerie let out a breath, standing up, but instead of moving away, she sat back down, her fingers tracing patterns on the table.
“Will you?” she murmured. “Will all of you be safe?”
I waited for her to continue. I could see she had more to say.
She met my eyes. “I know Riot. He doesn’t think, he acts first and thinks later. He will come for you.”
I shrugged. “We’ll be ready for him too.”
She laughed but her eyes were worried.
“We have protection in place,” I added. “Lorenzo will protect you.”
Valerie bit her lip, shaking her head. “Lorenzo is your bodyguard.”
I raised a brow. “So?”
“I don’t want a bodyguard.”
I leaned back, crossing my arms. “Have him. He's better for you than me.”
Valerie raised her brow. “Oh, I see what this is. You don’t want a bodyguard, so you push him off on me?”
I smirked, laughing when Valerie did too.
I stood, reaching over to squeeze her fingers. “Stay.”
She stared at me for a long second, lips pressing together.
Then I turned and walked out. I really hoped she would stay here until everything was settled and calm.