Chapter 2 After maths

CHAPTER 2

Blue and red lights flashed outside the club, sirens wailing as officers poured in, securing the scene. Valentine stood near the bar, wiping blood from her temple where a stray piece of glass had grazed her. Matteo leaned against the wall, still catching his breath, his eyes constantly scanning the room for any remaining threats.

Two officers approached Valentine, their stiff posture relaxing as they recognized her. One of them, Detective Monroe, gave her a curt nod. "Miss De Luca, you alright?"

She gave a dismissive wave, masking her frustration. "I'm fine. Clean up this mess and make sure there are no witnesses talking to the press. My father doesn't want any rumors spreading."

Monroe nodded without hesitation, already pulling out his phone to make arrangements. "Consider it done. We'll chalk it up to a gang dispute gone wrong."

Matteo raised a brow, his lips curling into a smirk. "Convenient. Didn't realize the De Lucas had half the precinct in their pocket."

Valentine shot him a glare. "You jealous, Romano? Thought your family had more sway than that."

He didn't respond, just watched as the police began ushering civilians out and marking off the crime scene. One of his men approached, whispering something into his ear that made his expression darken.

Valentine caught the tension in his jaw. "What?"

His eyes flashed dangerously. "Our warehouse just went up in flames. Explosion. Casualties confirmed."

Her stomach twisted, but she kept her face neutral. "You think this is just about your family?"

Almost on cue, Monroe came back, his face pale. "Miss De Luca... the dock warehouse just blew up. Same MO."

Valentine's blood ran cold. "What?"

The detective hesitated, glancing between her and Matteo. "Massive fire. There's... there's nothing left."

A quiet, bitter laugh escaped Matteo. "Guess someone wants both our families to burn."

Valentine gritted her teeth, shoving down the panic threatening to rise. This wasn't just a hit-it was a declaration of all-out war.

"Go," she ordered Monroe. "Handle the dock. Make sure no one's talking. I'll deal with this."

Matteo pushed off the wall, his jaw clenched. "We need to talk. Privately."

Valentine hesitated, but then nodded, gesturing for him to follow. They slipped past the kitchen door, moving through the narrow hallways until they found the entrance to the basement-an old, hidden lounge area used for more private business. She pulled the key from her pocket and unlocked the door, leading him down the creaking steps.

The room was dimly lit, smelling faintly of leather and aged whiskey. A single bulb flickered overhead, and Valentine poured herself a drink from the dusty cabinet, downing it in one go.

She didn't notice Matteo approaching until he was right behind her, his hands braced on either side of the bar, caging her in.

"What the hell are you doing?" she snapped, turning to face him.

His eyes were darker than usual, shadows cutting across his sharp features. "You knew something was coming. Don't lie to me."

She glared at him, refusing to back down. "Don't start pointing fingers, Romano. We both know neither of us would hit our own."

The tension between them was suffocating, anger laced with something far more dangerous. Matteo didn't move, didn't back away, and his breath fanned across her cheek, too close.

"You're shaking," he murmured.

"Shut up," she snapped, but it came out weaker than intended.

He leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "You're scared. Or maybe you're just pissed that you didn't see this coming."

She shoved at his chest, but he didn't budge-just smirked, like he found her rage amusing. That cocky, infuriating grin made her blood boil, and before she could think, she grabbed his collar and yanked him down, crashing her lips against his.

The kiss was violent, all teeth and desperation. Matteo groaned against her mouth, his hands sliding down to grip her hips, pulling her flush against him. He spun them around, pinning her to the bar, his mouth devouring hers like he was starving.

Valentine bit his bottom lip, making him hiss, and he retaliated by gripping her thighs and hoisting her onto the counter. Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, drawing him closer, and his hands slid up her thighs, pushing her dress higher.

She tugged at his shirt, ripping buttons in her haste, and he didn't seem to care, too busy kissing his way down her neck, leaving marks she'd hate herself for later. Her hands tangled in his hair, tugging hard enough to make him groan, and she smirked against his mouth.

His hands slipped under her dress, fingertips tracing her bare skin, and she gasped when he hooked his fingers into her underwear, tugging them down in one swift motion. Her mind spun, caught between hating him and wanting him more than her next breath.

Matteo's mouth claimed hers again, rough and demanding, and his hands gripped her waist as he pressed against her, teasing her with just enough friction to drive her mad. She arched into him, nails dragging down his back, and he finally gave in, sliding into her with a deep, unrestrained groan.

Her breath hitched, and his hands tightened on her hips, holding her in place as he moved-rough and relentless, like he was determined to make her feel every inch of him. Valentine bit back a moan, refusing to give him the satisfaction, but he didn't let up, whispering filthy things in her ear that made her cheeks burn.

"Admit it," he growled, biting down on her shoulder. "You've wanted this as much as I have."

She didn't respond-just dug her nails into his shoulders and pulled him closer, meeting each thrust with equal fervor. The room felt too hot, too small, and she couldn't focus on anything except the way he moved, like he was determined to break her.

When release finally hit, it tore through her, leaving her gasping for air. Matteo wasn't far behind, his grip on her almost bruising as he buried his face in her neck, breathing heavily.

Silence fell, heavy and awkward, as reality crept back in. Valentine pushed him off, sliding down from the bar and fixing her dress. She didn't look at him, didn't say anything-just wiped her smudged lipstick and poured another drink.

Matteo smirked, leaning back against the bar like nothing had happened. "Not bad, princess. Didn't know you had that in you."

She shot him a deadly glare. "That never happened."

He just chuckled, clearly unbothered. "Whatever you say."

As footsteps sounded from upstairs, they both straightened, putting on their usual masks of indifference.