The Tax Collector (girlxintersex) book 2 SAMPLE

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Valentino POV

The laptop screen's strong brightness burned myeyes, yet I couldn't take my sight away from her picture. I need to find her. Iknow Lucia couldn't survive out there. She's only a girl. A girl that Ilet down.

Two days before her disappearance, I began looking for her. Everyone encouragedme to accept the reality that she take her bag of clothing but not herphone. She ran away since it was the best option for her.

I didn't care what Lucia believed would be best for her since she didn't know.
"Val," my fiancé called. I hurriedly click from the Facebook group Icreated. It had double the number of people searching for Lucia. I was preparedto do everything to find her. I searched every homeless shelter. I searchedevery street for homeless people but could never find her.

She appeared to be on the go. I feared she could be in another state.

"Yes, Baby?" When I didn't hear Deja scuttling toward me, I yelledafter her.

"Coming..." She said, and I grinned as I heard her feet sprint; in asecond, she was at the counter, laptop in hand. "I think I've discoveredthe ideal venue for our wedding. Sure, it's a little expensive, but it'sincredibly lovely, and everyone who is invited must have a passport."

I hopped from the stool and slid down to the end of the countertop. My handinstinctively wrapped around her waist, giving her a gentle squeeze. "And,where is that?" I asked the red-haired girl.

She shrieked in my arms and raised her head up, plucking her lips inpreparation for a kiss. I put a kiss there. I got engaged to Deja about a monthafter Lucia left. I was putting it off till I found her. But Deja was in ahurry, insisting that love was calling and that the only way to answer it wasto put on a ring.

Of course, eager to get beyond that obstacle and focus on locating Lucia, Iagreed to her request. Ah, she proposed to me, but I had to make sure I put aring on it, which made no sense. But I don't care if it does. I simply want tolocate her.

I was tortured with guilt. If something happened to Lucia, it would be myfault. I abandoned her, and she simply ran away.

My gaze shifted to her glowing screen. "The Blueberry Lodge?"I read. "The venue for all your parties and festivities."

"And, where is that?" I inquired, staring down at her lovely face.She's gorgeous.
"In Canada..." She made a bashful declaration. "We only need apassport, and I researched the flights; if everyone books now, for the nextseveral months, it will be cheaper." She explained as she browsed throughthe pages. I could see the natural pattern extremely well.

Deja wants a big wedding. We're talking about 200 guests, three cakes, a feastfor those 200 guests, and the traditional leaping of the broom. While I, on theother side, would want to put on my pajamas with the lady I love and just go tothe local courtroom, which is only a 20-minute trip away. I want somethingbasic.

"Can those 200 guests afford the tickets? How much are they?"
"Well, it's not only about the airline tickets; they'll have to stay forat least a week, and so on. So each estimate is seeking to spend around$3,000."

I arched an eyebrow, wondering where she thought most of these folks weregetting their money from. "Love, that's a little out of most people'sbudget. How about one of Los Angeles' lodges?

"Val..." She whined. She does it to get her way. Deja was spoilt; hersister said it all the time. She gets what she wants, and she won't stop untilshe does. If she wanted 200 guests, three cakes, and other amenities, inCanada. She doesn't won't stop until she gets her wish..
I groaned, giving in to the little whimper. I kissed her cheeks gently."You have to contact everyone you want to attend this wedding."

"This wedding?" She moved her body on the stool to faceme. "You mean our wedding, correct?"

"Yes, it's our wedding." I corrected myself softly.

"Did you discover somewhere for our honeymoon and pre-parties?"

"Uhm..." I couldn't tell her I was looking for Lucia, but based onher disappointed expression, she knew I wasn't looking at anything. I needto find her. Regarding the honeymoon, it's usually Paris or a tripto the Caribbean.

"You were on that flipping Facebook page, weren't you?" She glared.

She slammed her laptop shut and made her way out of my arms. I sighed,preferring to check whether the group had any updates rather than hurryingafter her. But I have to race after her.

"Deja, wait..." I grabbed her just as she tucked her laptop insideher handbag.

"What, Val...?" She snapped, releasing a strained groan.

"I promise tonight I'll look into a hot area for our honeymoon."

"The honeymoon?" She let out a hiss. "Are you serious, Val. Thissounds like one of your street-based businesses. You take more care indiscovering that stu—" She moped, biting her lips in frustration.
"Hey, it's okay, I understand..." I muttered, drawing her into anembrace, and she rested her head against my chest.

"I want it to work."

"It will. I simply feel slightly bad." I surrendered.

"Val, you do not have to. She ran away because she is a damagedgirl." If she believes what she said made me feel better or cut even aninch off the thick butter of guilt, she is mistaken. Lucia will be more thansimply a girl, I will forget.

"I think we should discuss about more significant topics."

I nodded. Lucia was more important than this filthy wedding. I grinned andkissed her lips.

"Like, what?"

"You know, I want to move in..."
I sighed carefully at the topic; the last time I sighed, we had a three-hourargument. I didn't want her to stay with me, at least not until after thewedding, and the reason was because it was the correct thing to do.

"We discussed this... after the wedding." Imurmured, hoping not to start another heated dispute.

"Why not now? We'll see what it's like to live together."

I shook my head, softly grasping her hands. "Let's leave that as asurprise."
She pulled her hand away.

"Deja..."

"I am leaving. Goodnight, Val."

"Deja."

She smiled thinly, waiving her hand, and took up her bag. She headed for thedoor. This time I let her.