The Bodyguard | [Finished Not Edited | +18]

42

Valentino's Pov:

I've never felt this mix of pride and hostility. Part of me hates her for defying my orders and coming here. The other part of me can't believe I will propose to her soon. She is such an incredibly brave and selfless woman. Even after everything she's been through, she can still be my beacon in the darkness.

The high table Women is waiting for me to counter my future wife's offer, knowing she'd rather have my head on a pike than anything else. So I say the first thing that comes to mind. "Restrain my girlfriend and gag her, and you and I can have a civilized conversation."

I hear Viviana's gasp from across the room but don't even glance her way for fear of losing the council woman's attention. There's no way in hell I'll sleep with her unless I could gain access to a gun before she got me in her bed. But knowing what I know about our esteemed the high table Women, she'd have me tied to the headboard to take what she wants rather than be seduced.

She snaps her fingers, and a guard quickly produces a chair and ties her up, then uses the same gag they used on me to silence her. Our Cooks lingers at the corner of the room, and while I'd tried to attack her when they first arrived, I've had time to calm down and truly think things through. Nothing would entice our Cook into betraying me. She must be here on Alexander's orders even though he doesn't look so great for the effort right now.

I can't think about any of them right now. This is my last chance to save even some of them, and if I can't save Viviana, then there is no reason left for me to live. I pin the high table Women with a stare that used to make women shiver for me. In fear or anticipation, I've never known. Both if I have my way. It probably loses some of its effects with one of my eyes almost swollen shut and the bruising on my cheeks, but I do what I can anyway.

I know I've got her when she licks her lips and comes around the table toward me. One of the other men warns her about getting too close, and he's right. If I get her in the distance of my hands, she's a dead woman. But she stays far enough that I can't reach with my restraints holding me back.

"And what is your offer?" she asks, dipping her eyes down to my crotch and back up.

Viviana lets out something muffled like a curse, but now it's her turn to be ignored while I save her life. Unlike her, I know what I'm doing, and I won't fail.

I clear my throat and call on the indifferent mask I usually wear at society functions. "There are very few in society who know the inner workings like you or I. If I wanted to, I could hunt down every high table member here, along with your families, your friends, your cats, your dogs, your household staff, and let's not forget your neighbors."

The woman snorts. "This is your idea of a negotiation? Threatening us when you're tied to the floor on your knees."

I sort of shrug, but it's difficult with my hands bound to the floor. "You know what I'm capable of. You all do, as evidenced by the fact that I was able to take out a head of a society member and the brother of the Leader of the Undergroumd World, and then a family head himself...and you still haven't found him, have you? Don't worry, you won't. Not without my help."

She waves me on impatiently as she leans her thin hips against the table. "And...you're offering what? You just admitted your crimes. I can kill you now and defend myself against anyone in the high table who would like to argue about our rules."

"If you want...but you'd have to let everyone else go, and I guarantee my five won't let my death go unpunished."
She flicks her gaze to Alexander, who is still groaning on the concrete. At the point, he's either seriously injured or playing up his injuries for a reason I haven't been able to figure out yet.