Betrayal

Chapter 48

Antonio's POV

Losing someone was one thing but seeing that person happy with someone else was hard to swallow. He wanted something to be wrong with Zain, he wanted to prove to her that Zain was not the right man for her and that he could give her things that Zain never could, but the guy was the definition of perfect, he had anger issues but they all seemed to vanish when Valerie was around, he was like a lost puppy and Antonio knew exactly how that felt. The feeling of wanting to please her and keep the smile on her face. Antonio knew deep down that he was never going to forget what he had with Iris, even if she had a new name and new life, she was still 'the one that got away'. He knew they were having sex, but to see them in that kitchen broke him. He wanted to be the one she moaned to.

It had been a week since he walked in on them. Zain was clearly not bothered by it but she was. He could see it in her eyes. She was avoiding him most of the time, with him still living in their house, it was clear that they would run into each other eventually. "Hey Antonio... I uh, I just wanted to say, am sorry, about the... I mean, what you saw", she said when they ran into each other, she was on her way to work, yes she has her chef uniform on that was how Antonio figured it out. She struggled with words making him smile. She was always shy when she was nervous. "Valerie, it's ok. I get it, am your past and he is your present. Am not saying am comfortable with it. I don't like him but he likes you. The idiot risked his life to save mine just because he knew it would bring a smile to your face. I know that only someone with true commitment would do that for you and as much as it pains me to admit, that is the one thing he was able to beat me at. Choosing you over everything", he said swallowing hard. It was something that he never expected to admit in public. It made him feel vulnerable but he didn't care. The woman standing in front of him always had the power to do such things to him, and make him open up. She made him feel safe and like there was no such thing as judgment. "Thank you. Well, I have to go. Make sure you don't forget the meds. The nurse said you have healed already so you can start going to work", she rambled. "You want me out of the house already?", he teased making her eyes go wide. "No, I just know that you hate staying in and don't think I didn't see Boris sneaking in a laptop so that you can continue working. You need time to recover, I mean it", she commanded reminding him of the feisty side of her that always kept him and Boris in check. "Valerie, I will behave", he replied with his hands up in surrender making her smile. "Val, we are late", Zain said from the door. "She is coming Papa bear", he shouted earning a huff from Zain and a smack from Valerie. "Stop with the teasing", she said pushing him to the side as she walked fast to follow Zain to the car. 

"Everything is set Boss", Boris said when he was done packing their things. He nod his head and then went to the living room to see if Zain was there. He found him glued to the TV watching some action movie. "Hey man. I know we started on the wrong foot but, I just want to say thank you, for everything. I know that Boris couldn't make it out of there alive if it wasn't for you. I see that you love her and I want you to know that if you needed anything, just give me a call and I will have you sorted", he said looking at the screen as well. "It's all good", he replied shortly. Antonio knew that was all he was getting out of him since the only time he was talkative was when he was alone with Valerie. He turned to the front door, ready to leave when he spoke... finally, "Take care of yourself, I don't want to be saving your ass again", he said with a smirk making him laugh as he walked out the living room. 

He found Valerie standing next to the front door. "I will miss you", she said with a voice just above a whisper. He turned to look at her and her eyes were puffy. He walked towards her, pulling her in for a hug, it was a goodbye and he knew she was feeling the same. "Take care of yourself ok? Stay out of trouble, I mean it", she said whipping her tears away. "I will, I promise", he said knowing very well that in his world there was no such thing as staying out of trouble, trouble always found it's way to him. She hugged him again, then held his hand as they walked out of the house. Boris looked sad, like someone who just lost his dog, it felt weird seeing him that way but then again it was Iris, she brought out the best in all of them. "Take care of your sexy self and if he messes up you call me immediately. I will come to kick the sense into him ok?", he told her, looking at her straight in the eyes. The same ones that made him lose himself the first time he saw her in his office. He whipped her tears away hugging her for the last time. She hugged Boris too, something that he clearly did not expect but he hugged her back. He got in the car right after Boris did. Watched as she waved at him.

"Boss, your father is on the line", Boris told him as they were heading to the airport. "Yes", "We have a problem", Antonio remained quiet and gave his father a go-ahead to continue speaking. "One of my boys is in custody, he was taken away from the feds by someone from Section 30", "And who the hell are those?", "You tell me" before he could protest there was a photo received in his email, he opened it and saw the man that was leading the said Section 30 enjoying a beer with Zain. "Fuck! I'll handle it", he said hanging up.