Chapter 62
Renee’s and Val’s place
“Oh, my God…” Renee gasped, getting out of the bed. “What the fuck happened to you?” Her eyes widened completely as she gave Val a fast once over.
His right eye was swollen shut, already starting to bruise. His neck showed some scratches, the knuckles on his right hand were badly bruised, almost purple and his left hand was bandaged.
“I went to box but forgot my gloves.” Val grinned, regretting his action one second later as soon as his bottom lip split open and started bleeding slightly.
He sighed hard, watching Renee staring at him through narrowed eyes, blue narrowed eyes. She was pissed off.
“I had a fight with Vin.”
“What?!” Renee blinked, shocked to her core. “What are both of you now? A couple of teenagers getting in a fight?” She scolded him, closing the distance between them. “Jesus, Val! You look like shit!” She shook her head, inspecting his eye.
Letting out a hiss in pain, followed by a string of obscenities in his mother tongue, Val took a seat on the bed.
“Wait ‘till you take a look at Vin, princesa.” He winced when Renee cupped his face not so gently. “Ouch!”
“I told you that asshole needed someone smacking some common sense within his thick, bald skull once and for all, but…” Renee pressed her lips together, fighting back a giggle. “I didn’t think you were going to do that, literally.”
Val laughed hard, cursing aloud when his ribs screamed in protest. “¡Coño! The motherfucker has some nice blows.”
Renee got serious in a heartbeat. She knew things had gotten out of hand pretty fast if Val had lost it in such a way. The last time something similar took place had been in Santo Domingo.
“What did happen, Valentino?” She whispered, carefully stroking his cheek.
Val let out a heavy sigh and met her concerned gaze. “They dubbed me.” His voice sounded hoarse and full of pain. “They dubbed my voice and Vin knew it.”
“Valentino…” Renee took his hand in hers, squeezing softly.
She better than anyone else knew how Val felt about that. It felt like a betrayal, an unforgivable betrayal actually, because his best friend had allowed it.
Renee knew that Val had put his heart, mind and soul into playing his role and this was the reward he was getting in return. Nothing. All his efforts, months of research, countless hours of rehearsing reduced to ashes.
“That’s why he didn’t let me watch ‘SETH’. He allowed them to do that shit to me, again…” Val trailed off, feeling all his tough guy façade vanishing in seconds, the weight and hidden meaning behind Vin’s words finally crashing down on him. “I should have known better than to think it would be my chance, Renee…I should have known he wouldn’t let me…” His gaze fixed in a spot only he could see as he kept whispering absently. “He’s right though, I’m a loser, a failure… I’m nothing more than a punch-drunk boxer…begging for a chance to have success while I pick up the crumbs he’s throwing my way…”
Renee’s eyes filled with angry tears as she cupped Val’s face. “Now, you hear me here, Valentino Morales.” She muttered fiercely. “You’re not a failure and you’re not a goddamed punch-drunk boxer either. And sure as hell you are not a loser, do you understand me?”
Renee put as much reassurance as she could in her words, making sure that Val realized she was not saying those things just to make him feel better, but because she really believed those words with everything in her.
“Oh, come on, Renee.” Val chuckled. “I’m good for nothing, princesa. I can’t even get you pregnant, carajo! I’m just…”
“Shut the fuck up, Valentino! I’m not fucking done!!” Renee cut him off, her eyes sparkling with a weird mix of anger, pain and love.
“I did marry a hell of man from head to toe with a set of balls, a fierce determination and a precious heart, got it?” Renee’s voice didn’t leave room for complaints. “And you should know another thing,” she hesitated for a second, not being sure if she should tell him about the pregnancy test at this very moment. Then Renee locked eyes with Valentino and plunged ahead. “I’m pregnant.”
Val’s good eye widened completely as he gasped. “What…?”
Renee nodded ‘yes’, tears prickling down her cheeks. “I bought a pregnancy test and it’s positive.”
Val’s mind went into overdrive, his personal issues forgotten completely, pushed aside in seconds.
This was the very first time since they had gotten married that Renee had actually bought one of those. Never, not even when her period had failed once before, no matter what they did, and they had done everything humanly possible to have a family, had she bought a pregnancy test. Even things that ‘normal’ people wouldn’t have done because it would sound as if they had gone insane. Such as drinking beverages that supposedly would increase Val’s sexual vigor or Renee’s fertility; sexual positions that were more acrobatic challenges than pleasurable, even old recipes and rituals that old Dominican shamans had been using for centuries and everything with identical results. And now…
“But…how…?” Renee knit a brow. Why the hell did men always asked ‘how’? As if the answer wasn’t obvious. “I mean…when…” He swallowed forcefully over a huge lump in his throat.
Renee smiled through her tears. “Valentino, baby, we’ve been fucking like rabbits in heat for weeks.” She deadpanned and then giggled when Val’s lips spread in a half-goofy grin and his good eye leered at her. “Sooner or later you were going to hit the mark.”
Val pulled Renee to him, wincing a little when his body reminded him that he had gotten in a fight a couple of hours before. Val didn’t care. Nothing else mattered except the need to feel his wife as close to him as physically possible.
Val hugged Renee and closed his eyes, thinking about how his life had been a never ending race searching for something worthwhile to hold onto before he was forty years old and how as the years passed by, that race turned into a race against the clock.
Thinking about how nothing had made sense until he crossed paths with Renee and she showed him he could do anything if he had enough confidence in himself to try it.
Thinking that yet again, his wife was the one showing him there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
And Val lost the last shred of restrain he was using to not let himself go, crying like a little kid.
Renee hugged him tightly, feeling his heart pounding within his chest as Val kept crying, without enough strength left to stop.
“Let it go, baby…” Renee whispered, rocking Val as if he was a little baby, crying silently in each other’s arms. It had been too much to deal with at one time.
There were a lot of thing they had to talk about but everything could wait.
——————–
Vin’s old house
Vin hissed, letting out a string of obscenities and kept drinking directly from the bottle of whiskey. His left cheekbone and jaw hurt like a bitch, his bottom lip was split in two, his knuckles were swollen, his shoulders felt as if they were numb and he was sure he would be pissing blood for at least four days if not more.
Vin couldn’t believe that Val had beaten the shit out of him, again. At least, Val knew how to punch to cause damage without actually breaking any bones. Still his ribs were screaming in pure agony and Vin had taken a couple of pills to lessen the after effects of Valentino’s beating, swallowing them with his old friend ‘Jack Daniels’.
It was an explosive cocktail, Vin knew, but it wasn’t as if he was expecting to have company at all. In fact he doubted anyone would show up, not after the shitty way he had been acting with everybody.
Vin got comfortable on his huge old bed and kept drinking his ass off, drowning his sorrow in the burning alcohol and thinking non-stop about all the people he loved and that he had hurt.
Vin couldn’t believe the nasty things he had said to Valentino. He didn’t even know why he had said them to begin with. Well, hell, he knew but he hadn’t actually meant them, right?
Vin had wanted to hurt Val as much as Val had hurt him and the fact that he had spoken without even considering the effects his words would have on his best friend didn’t say anything good about him as a person. Quite the opposite, Vin knew, even if he didn’t like to acknowledge, that his reprehensible behavior didn’t deserve to be forgiven or even forgotten. Nothing Vin could say or do from now on would change what he had said and had done in the past. Nothing.
As he kept drinking in a desperate, blind race in search of oblivion, Vin recalled Val’s words and saw his own actions through Val’s eyes. It caused him to feel like a worthless piece of shit. It was not only a betrayal, but one of the worst kind; the betrayal of a friend.
Vin had been surrounded by so many called ‘friends’ for so much time that he had found it hard to distinguish between those who loved him for what he did and those who loved him for what he was.
He had forgotten that real friendship required time and dedication. Things Vin didn’t have any problem with while getting a new project ready or shooting a new movie. But regarding his private life, his feelings, the people he loved… well, that was a whole different matter.
Closing his eyes, Vin sunk deeper and deeper in his pain, realizing that his own cowardice had led him to feel the way he was feeling. Alone.
Vin had tried to contact Luna, calling the house, but the phone seemed to have been disconnected. Then Vin had phoned Renee and her cell phone had been busy since early in the afternoon. He had tried to contact Steve and Mike, getting identical results.
Vin hadn’t known what the hell was going on until Marcela called him, telling him that the gossip about his ‘affair’ with Sheila had been made public.
At that very second, Vin realized what a huge fuckup he had made. His timing couldn’t have been worse. Moving out of ‘Black Star’ would only make him appear guiltier than the sin itself.
Vin had no doubt that Luna would think he had betrayed her, and what was worse, it was when she felt more vulnerable than ever, being pregnant. Their marriage would be done.
He had thought about going in search of Luna, determined to ask for forgiveness and a new chance. He even had gotten as far as to get ready, but half way dressed, he went motionless, watching his reflection staring back at him. He had ‘guilty’ written all over his face and his tired gaze was pointing an accusatory finger. In such a state, he just couldn’t stand in front of Luna.
Vin hated to admit that he was once more acting like a coward and hated himself even more for that.
Desperately needing to hear a friendly voice and, even though they had been fighting like two stray dogs, Vin had phoned Valentino. His best friend’s reply had been ‘fuck you, Diesel’ and then he had hung up the phone on him. So, Vin had grabbed the bottle of whiskey and had gotten in bed with only the company of his own pain, anger and frustration.
——————
The security guard gave Sheila the once over and then narrowed his eyes. “I have orders to not let anyone enter the property.”
Sheila rolled her eyes. “I’m not anyone, honey. I’m Sheila Harley.” She smiled seductively, slightly raising her dress, flashing the man with her tanned thighs. “Mr. Diesel called me and told me to come here. So, would you let me in, please? I’d hate to make him wait for me any longer, sweetie.”
The security guard swallowed forcefully when Sheila absently stroked her inner thigh, licking her lips as she glanced at the obvious bulge in his pants.
“I…I’m sorry, Miss Harley, but Mr. Diesel’s orders were…” He trailed off when Sheila reached through the window, stroking his hard on. Just the fabric of his uniform pants separating him from feeling her hands on his cock for real.
“What would you say if we find a way to get what we both want, Mr…”
“Ferguson, Stanley Ferguson.” The security guard whimpered, as his eyes closed. He was about to explode in his pants.
“Stanley…” Sheila breathed as she applied pressure. “Why don’t you show me what you got for me in there, big boy?” Her voice sounded with a weird mix of innocence and lust, sending shivers up Stanley’s spine. “I bet you’re packing some serious deal, huh, Stan?” Sheila winked seductively as she kept squeezing, stroking and caressing him.
“Oh, god…” Stanley groaned, shuddering, watching Sheila’s other hand disappearing under her short dress and between her long, perfect legs.
Sheila moaned, her eyes fluttering closed and squeezed the bulge harder. She could feel the fabric getting wet and, swallowing her nausea back down her throat, Sheila looked up at Stanley’s face.
He wasn’t ugly or disgusting, but sure as hell Sheila would never have given him the time of the day. Actually, she wouldn’t have looked him twice at all, but Marcela had told her that Vin was alone and that now she had a perfect chance to show him that she would be at his side, no matter what.
Sheila thought about her current situation. She wanted to get inside Vin’s house and she would do anything. So without giving a second thought, she spread her legs apart slightly, giving the security guard a hell of a view. She wasn’t wearing panties.
“What do you say, Stan? Do we have a deal?” Her voice caused Stanley’s cock to twitch wildly within the confines of his slacks.
Not even in his wildest sexual fantasies would Stanley dare to conjure such a vision in front of him and he nodded ‘yes’ eagerly. He was more than game and he was not going to let pass up the chance of having a piece of such a fine ass. To hell with Mr. Diesel’s orders, after all Stanley was just an employee at the end of the chain. He could always say he didn’t know Miss Sheila Harley hadn’t been invited to come visit the action movie star.
———————
Black Star. Vin’s and Luna’s house
“Luna, come on, where are you going?” Allison stood, watching Luna getting ready, grabbing a pair of white cotton pants and a matching top. “It’s almost 2am.”
“I’m going to talk with my husband, that’s where I’m going.” She calmly answered, turning around, searching for her purse.
Allison sighed hard. “Listen, sugar, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She frowned, concerned, as she followed Luna’s every move.
Luna seemed too calm after Allison told her about the ‘affair’ between Vin and Sheila. She hadn’t gone through a tantrum and she wasn’t even crying. Luna looked too damn relaxed and that was what scared Allison the most.
Allison even added that it probably was just a desperate move on the part of the Studio to promote ‘SETH’. That it was common practice. But Luna had just nodded and had started getting ready. Allison wasn’t even sure if Luna had paid attention at all.
“Well, it might not be a good idea but I want him looking at my eyes when I ask him what’s going on.” Luna grabbed her purse and headed towards the door.
“Why don’t you wait until tomorrow morning? You will see things in a different light, Luna.” Allison moved ahead of her, blocking the exit. “I’m going with you.”
“No.” Luna shook her head. “I’m going alone and I’m going right now.” She narrowed her eyes when Allison didn’t move an inch.
“Luna, you can’t go alone, please think about the baby.” Allison’s concerned was plainly visible. “Something could happen while you’re driving and you’d be alone. What if you have an accident? What if…?”
Allison trailed off, closing her eyes for a second. She just couldn’t figure out how she would feel if something bad happened to Luna. She would lose her only friend.
Luna took a deep breath and, gently, she squeezed Allison’s arm. “Nothing will happen and I’ll be fine. I’m perfectly well and look,” Luna pressed Allison’s hand over her heart, “I’m not even stressed. I’m okay, I feel okay and I only want to be alone to talk with my husband, Allison.” She answered, feeling her heart skipping a beat. “I need to talk with him face to face, so please, move.”
Allison shook her head. There was no way in hell she was going to let Luna drove alone and at this time of the night. That would be almost suicide.
“Please, sugar, I can’t do that, Luna.” Allison pleaded silently with her to not keep insisting on going alone. “I can’t let you go alone.”
Luna knit a brow. “Listen, Allison, I’m fucking tired of people telling me what I can and what I cannot do. Now fucking move.”
Allison pressed her jaw hard. “Luna…please…let me help you.”
Luna rolled her eyes. “If you want to help me then move out of my way and let me do what I have to do.”
“Luna…”
“Get the fuck out of my way, Allison!” Luna raised her voice, causing Roman to go on guard.
Allison glanced at the dog over Luna’s shoulder and watched him, staring at her. His eyes fixed and he was showing his fangs, growling.
“Luna,” Allison swallowed, “Roman is giving me a funny look and he’s scaring me.”
Luna knit a brow. “That’s because he knows you’re upsetting me, so move out of my way, now.” Her cold tone of voice sent shivers up Allison’s spine.
“You wouldn’t let him to attack me, right?” Allison smiled nervously, feeling her own heart skipping a beat.
“Wouldn’t like to.” Luna replied emotionless.
Allison gasped under her breath and, reluctantly, she moved out of the way.
“Thank you.” Luna whispered coldly and headed towards the main entrance, finding Steve already waiting for her. He had heard the two women’s conversation.
“I’ll drive you, baby.” He said, grabbing the keys of the SUV.
Luna looked down for a second and then locked eyes with Steve. “No, you won’t.” She coldly replied, grabbing the keys for the Mercedes.
Steve stretched his back, rolling his shoulders and stood blocking the main entrance of the house. “You’re not going anywhere without me, Luna. I’m your bodyguard and you’re not going out without protection. Not at this time of the night and much less in your current state.” His voice sounded as cold as ice, causing Luna to narrow her eyes.
“Listen to me, Steve and listen to me well because I will only tell you once.” She moved forward a step and stood in front of Steve. Surprisingly her heart was beating normally and when Luna spoke, her tone of voice matched Steve’s. “I will go wherever the fuck I want and I will do it without you. I don’t need your protection because you are not my bodyguard anymore. You’re fired, Steve.”
“Luna!” Allison gasped; she couldn’t give credit to what she was hearing.
Steve arched a brow but other than that he didn’t move a single muscle in his body.
“I’m not shitting, Steve. Move out of my way or I’ll call the cops so they can throw you off my property.” Luna whispered, emotionless, her tone of voice firm as steel.
Steve gritted his teeth and, cursing silently, he moved to one side, opening the door.
Luna let out the air she didn’t even know she was holding and padded to the door. When she reached it, she stopped and turned her head, meeting Steve’s hurtful gaze.
“And if you follow me, I’ll make sure you won’t get another job in this city of shit.” And with that she headed directly to the car, getting in.
“Steve…” Allison whispered, closing the distance between them. “I…She’s not herself; she doesn’t mean those things, you know it, right?” Hesitantly, she placed a hand in his forearm, noticing that Steve was shaking.
Steve turned his head, staring at Luna as she reversed the car and drove directly to the main gates of ‘Black Star’. Once the Mercedes couldn’t be seen anymore, Steve returned his attention to Allison.
“You stay here in case someone phones. I’m gonna follow her.” He grinned slightly and without thinking, he leaned forward a bit, kissing Allison’s cheek, lingering.
Allison shivered and met his gaze. “Call me if anything goes wrong, okay?”
In response, Steve nodded ‘yes’ and turning around he hurried his steps, getting in the SUV.
PART II
Vin’s old house
“Wow!” Sheila entered the bedroom, closing the door at her back. She never had seen Vin looking such a mess. “You look like shit, Diesel!”
“I’ve known better days, I admit.” Vin slurred without thinking, blinking slowly.
The room seemed to spin around and he cursed silently. He was wasted all right.
Adjusting his blurry vision, Vin watched Sheila standing a few feet of him. “Now look who’s coming?” He narrowed his eyes, taking a long drag of the bottle. “Did you fuck my bodyguards to get in here or what?” He chuckled at his words.
Sheila’s lips twitched in anger but she decided to ignore his nasty remark. She hadn’t needed to do that at all. Once Stanley the security guard let her enter the property, the rest had been a piece of cake.
One of Vin’s bodyguard had been playing X-box and the other had let her in as soon as she told him that Vin had phoned her.
Sheila didn’t know it, but the guy hadn’t even recognized her. Vin’s bodyguard thought she was just some slut his boss had phoned to keep him company. He was supposed to be happily married but then again, he was still Vin Diesel.
So the guy didn’t even think twice and just nodded, showing Sheila the way to Vin’s bedroom.
“I came to offer you my shoulder. I heard you’re going through some hard times.” Sheila closed the distance between them, standing in front of him.
Vin really looked smashed and Sheila did her best not to start bouncing up and down. She couldn’t have planned it better if she had done it herself.
“I thought you needed a friendly face around you.”
Vin snorted, sipping from the bottle. “I don’t need a friendly face around me. What I need is my wife,” he muttered bitterly. “I need Luna but I fucked things up big time and now she must be very pissed off.” He arched his brows, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, or trying to.
Sheila rolled her eyes and, smiling sweetly, she got ready to play the Devil’s advocate. That way she figured she would get closer to Vin, in every sense of the word.
“Oh, come on, I don’t think it’ll go beyond that.” She took a seat and reached out, asking without words for Vin to share the bottle of whiskey.
Vin frowned a little, weighing his options and finally he handed it to her.
“Luna loves you and she will see reason in a couple of days.” Sheila paused to sip, wincing a little when the amber liquid set a path of fire down her throat and then continued. “You only have to give her some time alone, so she can put her own thoughts in order.”
Vin shook his head ‘no’ too fast, cursing when the room kept spinning around him, even though he was sure he had stopped shaking his head.
There was no way that Luna was going to forgive and forget this one. No way in hell and Vin knew it. Deep down he had no doubt; Luna would leave him. He was going to lose her forever, just as Allison had warned him.
“You don’t know my wife; she will cut off my balls and then she will rip out your eyeballs.” He whispered, closing his eyes, fighting his sudden nausea. “Luna is not a woman to mess with; believe me, you don’t want to have her as an enemy.” Vin sighed hard, feeling sick just thinking about how Luna would have felt when she had found about the fucking faked romance.
Sheila rolled her eyes, swallowing the snort back down her throat. Luna was a sweet naïve angel compare to her. She was the one that Luna should be worried about and not the other way around.
“She will understand that we didn’t have a choice in this, Vin.” She placed a hand on his thigh and squeezed softly. “It’s our careers we’re talking about and Luna knows you deserve to have success.”
In response, Vin half opened his eyes, glancing down and then up at Sheila’s face. She grinned a little and grabbed the bottle. Thinking about something that she had learnt long ago, telling lies you will get truths, Sheila smiled sadly.
“I’m not in much of a better position than you, Vin, you know? My boyfriend…erm…Stan, went ballistic too.” Sheila sipped, just wetting her lips. She didn’t want to lose control at all; she needed her mind clear. “But I explained to him that sometimes we have no other choice but to do things that most people would find indecent or amoral to reach our goals.” Sheila watched Vin and realized that he was staring down at her legs. “It’s the price we have to pay to have success.” She grinned inwardly and spread them, pretending that she had done it without thinking and then continued talking, noticing the soft twitch within Vin’s pants. “He got over it and we’ve only been dating each other for a few weeks now. So Luna will understand since she’s your wife.”
Sheila did her best to cover the unbearable disgust she felt at the mere mention of Luna’s name and the fact that she was indeed Vin’s wife, for now at least.
Sheila would play this role until she was sure Luna was out of the picture and then, she was planning to take what remained of Vin, putting him together again so that they both could live the kind of lifestyle Sheila desperately wanted to enjoy.
The odd tone of Sheila’s voice caught Vin’s attention and he turned his gaze to her, giving Sheila a slow once over through the misty fog his self induced alcohol state of mind had reached.
Vin frowned deeply, feeling his cock stirring and shamelessly he adjusted himself. Too many months playing one against five were now coming back to kick his balls.
Sheila was sinfully stunning, breathtakingly beautiful but she just wasn’t Luna. The last thing Vin needed right now was a brainless bimbo giving him advice. Wasted or not, horny or not, he just wasn’t in the mood for company, not even female company, even if his dick didn’t agree with him.
“Whatever…” Vin muttered under his breath, staring at Sheila’s eyes, watching how her dark brown eyes morphed into Luna’s green eyes.
Vin’s breath caught in his throat and he swallowed past an invisible knot that came from nowhere. In seconds, the rest of Sheila’s body followed the transformation that her eyes had undergone and in seconds he wasn’t staring at Sheila anymore; the young actress had somehow vanished.
Vin’s tortured mind conjured a vision of Luna laughing wickedly and even though Sheila was still prattling, Vin wasn’t listening to her anymore, in fact he wasn’t even watching her anymore. All his sense were focused on his vision and he was even listening to Luna’s smoky voice, whispering sweet nonsense things in his ear as he made love to her.
Vin’s gaze slid down blindly, lost in thought about his wife. His eyes were staring at Sheila’s waxed pussy; its lips glistening.
Within his mind, these pussy lips didn’t belong to Sheila but to Luna and subconsciously, Vin groaned, feeling his cock hardening in seconds. Luna’s voice was echoing faintly, calling him, saying that she loved him and that she belonged to him; that she was all his.
All of a sudden Vin’s jeans felt uncomfortably tight and he shifted on the bed without warning.
Sheila had kept talking but she hadn’t stopped watching Vin’s every move and used his unexpected move to ‘accidentally’ spill the amber liquid all over her ample cleavage.
“Oh, Damn!” She exclaimed, doing a show of cleaning herself off and pulling Vin out of his gutter and into painful reality. “Look what you did, Vin!” Sheila half laughed, half whined.
Vin growled, annoyed, realizing that his mind had been playing tricks with him and that Luna wasn’t anywhere close to him.
Ignoring Sheila’s voice, saying something about not having anything to wear, Vin watched his hand, moving as in slow motion, grabbing the bottle from another hand that sure as hell didn’t belong to him, mostly because the nails were polished in a strident red colour, and took a long gulp, spilling half of it.
“Do you have something I can wear, Vin?” Sheila looked around, spotting one of Vin’s tee-shirts draped over the arm of a couch.
In response Vin shrugged his shoulder, not giving a damn about anything at all, not even Sheila’s perfect body a few feet from him, naked as the day she was born.
The room spun around him once more and Vin shut his eyes tightly. That was it. He was on his merry way into oblivion. Can’t wait to reach my destination, Vin thought bitterly and swallowed, blacking out.
—————
Renee’s and Val’s place
“You did what?!” Valentino jumped to his feet, cursing when his ribs screamed in protest and grabbed his discarded cargoes with his free hand.
“I had no other choice, man, Luna threatened me with calling the cops to throw me off ‘Black Star’.” Steve’s concerned voice replied as he kept following Luna, moving through the traffic. “She’s driving to Vin’s old place now, I’m a couple of cars behind her.”
“What’s the matter, Val?” Renee watched Valentino, searching for his trainers.
Val turned around, sitting on the bed. “Luna went to talk with Vin, alone and driving the Mercedes.” He answered, slipping his trainers on, his cell phone placed between his shoulder and head.
“Oh my God!” Renee’s eyes widened completely as she gasped. Her guts screamed at her, her mind already racing while she heard Val’s voice as he went on.
Without giving it a second thought, Renee jumped out of the bed and made a mad dash to the closet, pulling out a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt.
“I live closer to Vin’s old place.” Val got to his feet and turned around, grabbing a sleeveless shirt that was crumpled on a chair. “I’m on my way, you don’t lose her, okay?”
Renee dressed in record time and went to call Vin. His cell phone was out of order and when she went to call the house, Renee remembered that they had disconnected the line. Fighting the sudden urge to kill someone, Renee went to call Allison when her cell phone rang. Allison was phoning her.
“Oh, shit! Can’t fucking believe it!” Steve punched the steering wheel, glancing at the rearview mirror.
A patrol car was flashing at him as a voice ordered him to slow down, stopping the car at the side of the road, immediately.
The sound of a siren in the background covered Steve’s words and Val frowned. “What? What did you say man, I didn’t hear you!” Valentino raised his voice, heading directly to the entrance of the house, picking up the car keys.
Renee was right behind him, talking with Allison, and Luna’s agent explained to Renee what had happened.
“You’re not gonna believe this shit, Val!” Steve muttered through clenched teeth, looking back and forth to the front and back through the rearview mirror, seriously considering ignoring the cops’ order.
Steve knew that if they stopped him, he would lose track of Luna. Of course, he knew where she was heading, but Steve wanted to arrive at the same time as her.
Another patrol car joined the first one, positioning itself in front of the SUV, braking and forcing Steve to brake as well or he would hit the cops’ car.
“What the fuck is going on, carajo?!” Valentino shouted, hearing the sirens and Steve cursing like a mad man. “Steve?”
“Fuck!” Steve cursed and finally stopped the SUV at the verge of the road.
Valentino frowned deeply, listening how someone, apparently cops, ordered Steve to get out of the car, keeping his hands where they could see them as another one asked Steve why he was stalking Vin Diesel’s wife.
After that, the line went silent.
———————-
Luna heard the distant sound of the cops’ sirens and deep down she felt bad for Steve. She could understand that Steve thought he was doing the right thing, but Luna thought the very same. She was sick and tired of people ignoring her words, making decisions in her place and pushing her around. She had just reached her limit.
Never before had Luna thought she would find herself in such an extreme position that she didn’t give a damn about anything at all, not even herself. She was beyond caring; she just wanted to stop the world so she could get off. This was not living, this was just a bad joke and she didn’t even feel like herself anymore.
Luna had been thinking nonstop about Allison’s words and how she had done the best to sugar coat a blow that there was no way to lessen. It had been the very last straw and Luna found herself getting ready to go in search of the fucking truth once and for all. She couldn’t stand any more lies or secrets.
It occurred to Luna that everything could be just one of Marcela’s Machiavellian plans. The perfect example of how much control she had over Vin. The realization didn’t make Luna feel better. Quite the opposite, she only felt angrier, thinking about how stupid her own husband was.
“You definitely married a brainless bunch of muscles, Luna,” she scolded herself, noticing that Vin’s black SUV wasn’t following her anymore.
The cops probably were going to keep Steve in custody until Renee sent someone to get him out.
Luna felt like shit for making Steve go through such a mess, but she just didn’t want anyone following her. More than anything she wanted, no needed, to feel in control of every single one of her actions. To feel that she could get back the control over her life, her body and mind that she had lost, and for that, Luna was sure that she had to be alone.
Letting out a heavy sigh, Luna shook her head and concentrated her senses on driving; it always made her feel good. It clarified her thoughts and kept her mind sharp. Something that Luna knew she was going to need. No more acting on impulse.
——————–
“Valentino, let me go with you, please….” Renee pleaded, unnoticed tears running down her face.
“Princesa… You gotta get Steve out of the mess Luna got him into.” Val sighed hard, wiping away her tears with his thumb.
Steve had been arrested for sending to hell one of the cops after trying for the fifth time to explain to the agent that he wasn’t a stalker but her fucking bodyguard. It was all Steve could say though because giving more details about why and how would only mean a violation of his own code of ethics. He wouldn’t reveal the farfetched reality that lay behind Luna’s irresponsible action.
The less details they knew, the better. Steve was sure that this mess would make the headlines along with the fucking ‘romance’. He didn’t care though. The only thing within Steve’s mind was the fact that he didn’t know if Luna was okay.
As soon as Steve had been taken to the police station, he had been allowed to make a phone call and Steve had phoned Val.
“Mike will be here in a minute and I promise you I’ll call you as soon as I arrive at the house, okay?” He whispered, kissing her forehead softly.
“Okay.” Renee breathed, knowing deep down that Val was right.
She wouldn’t be of any use and she seriously doubted she would be able to stop herself from slapping Vin if he said or did something, anything that end up hurting Luna even more than she was already.
“I love you.” Val hugged Renee tightly and then got in his car.
“Te amo.” Renee whispered, watching Val’s car disappearing from view just as Mike’s car pulled up.
—————-
Vin’s old house
Stanley watched a Mercedes approaching the gates and grinned inwardly when he realized there was a woman driving it. Shit, this Diesel is one lucky bastard, Stanley stretched his back, thrusting his chest out and stood to one side.
Luna narrowed her eyes when she saw the security guard openly leering at her. She stopped the car to search for the remote to open the gates. Luna remembered it was still within the glove compartment.
Stanley used the occasion to get closer, hoping to get a better look at this chick. Maybe he would get lucky and get to hit it for second time tonight.
“Good night, beautiful.” Stanley mock-saluted, leaning against the window and placing his forearm on top of the convertible roof. “There’s s party up there or something?” His lips spread in a dirty smile as he gestured with his head in the direction of the house. “You know you gotta make a deal with Stan to get in there, right, babe?” Stanley waggled his brows, playfully tapping his crotch.
Slowly, Luna turned her head, pinning Stan with a cold gaze. He felt a chill running up his spine as his blood froze in his veins. Something told him that he had just put his foot in his mouth.
Sliding down the window, Luna knit a brow. “Excuse me?” Her tone of voice matched her cold gaze as she looked at Stan as if he was a swine worm. “Do I look like one of those trashy sluts that are walking around Hollywood boulevard, Stan?”
Stanley swallowed hard as he looked down, spotting Luna’s rounded belly, more visible since she was wearing a tight white top. As in slow motion, he looked up at her face and swallowed again, more forcefully this time.
Luna wasn’t wearing makeup and her hair was pulled up in a ponytail. The only piece of jewelry she was wearing was a pair of simple golden rings, her wedding band and the black star ring.
Stanley wasn’t an expert but even in his ignorance, he bet those golden rings were more expensive than his car.
Furrowing his brows, he looked at the woman closely, really looked at her and cringed inwardly as soon as recognition dawned. This woman was not a trashy slut but Vin Diesel’s wife in the flesh and bones.
“I…I’m sorry, ma’am, I…I didn’t…I didn’t recognize y-you.” Stanley stammered, realizing that he had made the biggest fuckup ever. He was going to be booted out of his job in less than 24 hours, Stanley knew as sure as he knew his name.
Luna’s eyes were sparkling with dislike as she pressed the remote, without averting her infuriated gaze from the disgusting man standing at her side. In seconds the gates whined and started opening causing Stanley to curse his damn luck.
The gates finally opened completely and Stanley moved backwards so fast that he tripped on his own feet. He thought about warning ‘Mrs. Diesel’ that her husband wasn’t alone, but then thought better. He suspected he had already talked too much, better if he kept his big mouth shut.
Luna didn’t answer; she just slid the window up and crossed the gates without even looking at him. She didn’t need to be told. Vin wasn’t alone. The question left was to find if he had called an escort service or if he had phoned somebody else.
Luna drove the path up to the house and spotted a yellow Lamborghini Diablo parked at the right side, next to a rented black SUV and another car.
Her gaze slid up and Luna saw the lights were on in the main bedroom, and then she looked again at the Italian car, narrowing her eyes.
As far as she knew, there was no one among their friends or employees that owned a Lamborghini Diablo, and she seriously doubted that a prostitute, no matter how much she charged for her services, would have such an indecently expensive vehicle.
The soft hair of her nape stood and Luna shivered uncontrollably. All of a sudden, the idea of Vin fucking some professional didn’t hurt as much as the other possibility Luna didn’t even dare to think about.
Taking a deep slow breath, Luna switched off the engine and leaned backwards in her seat. A small pinch in her lower belly caused her to wince slightly and she closed her eyes.
Her heart was beating faster now and Luna took a new deep breath, exhaling the air slowly, practicing the breathing techniques that Vin’s trainer had taught her.
Inside the house, Sheila heard the sound of car pulling up. Glancing at Vin, she found that he had passed out and was snoring softly, his face half buried on the pillow.
Sheila rolled her eyes, thinking that if his fans would be able to take a look at him at that very moment, they would have ran like hell.
Vin definitively looked a mess, full of bruises, with his face and head scruffy, dark shadows under his eyes and stinking with a mix of alcohol, smoke and sweat.
Frowning a little, Sheila shook her head and, padding to the window, she discretely peered through the curtains. There was a Mercedes she recognized in a flash parked; its lights still on. Luna’s.
Unable to believe her luck, Sheila whooped silently, bouncing up and down, and got ready to strike the biggest blow ever.
Without waiting a second, she dashed to the bathroom. Once in there, Sheila wet her hair in the shower and then gave herself a fast once over in the huge mirror. Satisfied with the results, Sheila hurried her steps, padding directly to the bed, wearing only the tee-shirt that she had borrowed from Vin.
Unceremoniously, Sheila rolled Vin to one side, realizing that 200 pounds of drunk guy weighed much more than what she figured.
In response, Vin growled, slurring Luna’s name but that was all the acknowledgement he showed. He was in a place far from reality, making love to Luna on a beach and he wasn’t in a hurry to come back any time soon.
Sheila cursed, gritting her teeth, doing her best to remove Vin’s jeans. Wrestling wasn’t her style and Vin wasn’t helping.
At least he had been shirtless when she showed up and Sheila gave endless thanks for that. She was sure she wouldn’t be able to remove the damn shirt without a little bit of Vin’s cooperation.
——————–
Luna entered the house and found one of Vin’s bodyguards exiting the kitchen. The man went motionless, staring at her. He recognized Luna in one second flat and smiled slightly.
“Good night, ma’am.”
Luna nodded politely and headed towards the main bedroom, hearing at her back the man calling his partner and both of them talking in whispers. The words a mere murmur in the distance, Luna pushed to the back of her mind so she could keep focused.
The two bodyguards sneaked behind her, not in plain view but still at earshot. They wanted to be close just in case things got out of hand damn fast. At the end, Diesel’s wife was pregnant and they recalled that she had also heart problems.
Some sectors within the media had made a show of praising Luna for having the guts to go ahead with her pregnancy in spite of the serious risk to her life and the baby’s life that she was running.
Stopping right at the door, Luna’s breath hitched as her heart started to race wildly. She took a deep breath and, stretching her back, she opened the door completely.
Somehow Luna suspected what she was going to find, and even though deep down she had prayed silently for being wrong, the vision broke her heart in million pieces, leaving in its place an empty hollow.
Vin was naked, apparently sleeping, and Sheila was standing, lighting a cigarette, her hair wet, as if she had taken a shower and she was wearing one of Vin’s tee- shirts.
The room smelled of alcohol and weed. Luna’s eyes narrowed when forcing her sickness back down her throat, she breathed in deeply and didn’t smell sex. At that exact second her brain went into overdrive.
Just like many women, Luna had thought about her own reaction if she found her husband with another woman in bed, especially after some friend or acquaintances had gone through such a painful experience.
Some of her friends had agreed that they would lose her mind, rushing to the woman, slapping the hell out of her. Others had agreed that they would cut their husband’s balls off, since he was the only one to blame.
Honestly, Luna had never been able to think about the best course of action, since she was sure no one would be able to think in advance about how to react or what to do until they found themselves in the cheated woman’s shoes.
The irony was that Luna was now the betrayed woman and there she was, clinically analyzing the situation with a coldness she herself found amusing.
This was a set up, no doubt, and an amateur one for that matter. Still, that was not the important thing. The question here was that Vin had let Sheila in, instead of throwing her out and that was enough for Luna to know what to do.
Staring openly at Sheila, Luna grinned evilly. She was going to turn on her heels and she was going to leave them be, because they definitely deserve each other.
Both Vin and Sheila were selfish, egocentric, heartless, manipulative and brainless. Like the old saying goes; ‘birds of a feather flock together’.
Luna chuckled sadly and turned around, getting ready to leave not only the house but Vin’s life forever when Sheila’s next words stopped her.
“What, you’re not gonna say anything?” Sheila raised her face, defiantly staring at Luna’s back.
As in slow motion, Luna turned her head and met Sheila’s triumphant expression written all over her face. They stared at each other’s eyes for what it seemed an eternity until Luna broke the dead silence with a few words that caused Sheila to feel small and insignificant even though she wouldn’t have admitted that to anyone, not even to herself.
“Good luck, Sheila, you’re gonna need it.”
And with that, Luna headed directly to the main entrance.
Sheila grunted and ran to the door of the bedroom, stopping just when one of the bodyguards stood in her way.
“And what does that shit mean, huh, bitch? Are you threatening me, you fat cow?” Sheila yelled, her face flushing with anger as she tried to pass around the bodyguard. “Get the fuck out of my way, asshole!” Sheila pushed him but the guy didn’t move a muscle, just glared down at her and Sheila took a step backwards, gritting her teeth.
“You’re not woman enough for him, you know? And I hope you lose that little bastard you’re carrying in your fucking womb!” Sheila shouted with all the venom she could put in her words.
Luna closed her eyes for a second, fighting the sudden urge to kill Sheila with her bare hands, but kept walking with firm steps, showing a dignity that Sheila was far from being able to show and that only placed her in an even lower level compared to the real lady that was leaving the house.
Vin and Sheila definitely deserved each other and Luna wished with everything in her that Vin gave Sheila half the hell he had given her since they both met.
Luna’s heart was broken and there was nothing left, that was true, but she also felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Finally they were done, or that was what Luna told herself.
Part III
Driving had always been good for Luna; she always found the answers that she was looking for and now wasn’t any different. She loved it and, unlike most people, it never got on her nerves, quite the opposite. Driving always relaxed.
Taking a deep breath, Luna smiled in spite of herself; she couldn’t believe she felt this free. She had almost forgotten how it felt to be able to control your life, your actions, without being manipulated by others.
The more she drove, the more relaxed Luna felt and, slowly, the tension and stress she had been suffering over the last months went droning away, leaving just nothing.
Reaching blindly, she switched the radio on and a song sounded through the speakers, and Luna lost herself in the text of the song, leaving the melody to grab a hold of her heart, mind and soul.
Memories came floating without warning. Sweet words whispered in candlelight…soft music playing…a slow dance…the promise of eternal love…
It’s a beautiful day
Sky falls, you feel like
It’s a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
Secrets…lies…betrayal…humiliation…pain…anger…sorrow…loneliness…helplessness…desperation
It was a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
Beautiful day
Tears fell unrestrained, wiping away the memories, sweeping out every single one, feeling wrapped around them, as if they were a furious torrent, making its way through rocks, leaving in their path just an empty hollow and a secret wish.
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
What you don’t know you can feel it somehow
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
Don’t need it now
Luna took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Was a beautiful day…
The sound of a horn, followed by flashing lights caused Luna gasped aloud, abruptly turning the steering wheel, with a sudden jerk when she found herself about to crash into a huge truck that was driving in the opposite direction.
Cursing under her breath, she gripped the steering wheel with both hands, her knuckles white under the fierce pressure, trying to keep control over the car before it went off the road.
Miraculously, Luna got the Mercedes under control, avoiding spinning around but she ended up crashing the car against the rail guard.
The inertia plunged her entire torso forward fast and, without thinking, Luna let go of the steering wheel and encircled her belly, protecting the baby from the imminent impact. The air bag jumped out of its’ place, bumping her face and Luna yelped in surprise and fear.
Dizzy after the blow she received by the security device, Luna pressed her right hand against her chest, feeling her heart racing wildly. Adrenaline was pumping through her veins and she broke into a cold sweat.
Forcing the air through her lungs, Luna leaned backwards in her seat. She closed her eyes, absently caressing her belly with shaky hands when she felt the baby moving within.
Fresh tears started spilling unrestrained as she tried to regain some control, whispering soothing words just for the baby to hear.
The sound of scratching wheels caused Luna to snap her eyes open, watching someone approaching through her blurry vision. A ringing buzz was painfully piercing her ears and she fought to keep her eyes open.
“Luna!”
She blinked fast, swallowing forcefully when a voice called her name. Her heart was beating faster and faster and she started to force the air through her lungs. They felt like they were burning from the inside out.
“Luna!!” Valentino jumped out of his car, running like hell and yanked the door of the Mercedes open. “Luna? Luna you okay, baby?” Val looked frantically, all over her body, watching for any sign of a wound.
Her forehead was slightly red and her face was stricken with tears. Gently, Val cupped her face, turned it so Luna looked at him.
“Valentino…” Luna whimpered breathlessly as she gasped for air.
“Hey, baby, it’s okay, I’m here, Luna. Everything’s gonna be okay.” Val blurted, carefully reaching around Luna so he could remove the seat belt, getting her out of the car. Not an easy task with just one hand being completely useful. “Just keep breathing, Luna, I’ll get you out of here, baby. Just keep breathing.”
Val gritted his teeth as he lifted his gaze and realized that the passenger’s door was smashed and it couldn’t be opened.
Another car stopped right behind Luna’s car. “Hey, man, what happened?” A male voice called, joining them.
“Have you got a cell phone?” Val asked, trying to release the seatbelt from its anchor.
“Yeah!” The man answered, pulling it out.
“Call 911, she’s five months pregnant and has arrhythmia.” Val did his best to keep his voice even, even though he was shaking inside. He didn’t want to scare Luna more.
“Fuck!” The man did as told, glancing at Luna from the corner of his eye.
Luna started panting, gasping for air. She couldn’t see to breathe normally as a sharp pinch stabbed her lower belly.
“Val!” Luna yelped, wincing, blindly gripping Val’s forearm, digging her nails. “The baby!!” She cried out, grabbing her belly with her other hand.
“The baby is okay, Luna, everything is okay. Keep breathing, please, Luna. You gotta breathe. The ambulance is coming.”
Luna started crying louder, sobbing. Her chest hurt and she felt as if someone was mercilessly twitching a knife in her heart. The pain slid down fast along her left arm, causing it to feel almost numb.
“Here, use this to cut it.” The man handed Val a pocked knife and Val cut the seat belt with it.
“Okay, baby, now let’s get you out of the car, okay?” Val whispered, stroking Luna’s hair and wiping her tears with his thumb. Luna was terrified. “Everything will be fine, you’ll see.”
All Luna could think about was her baby even though the pain in her chest was so unbearable that Luna gritted her teeth, shutting her eyes. That was the last thing she felt before she lost consciousness.
¡Coño, coño, coño! Val chanted silently as he shoved down the now deflated air bag, so he had enough room to help Luna out of the car.
The other man brought a blanket, spreading it. Val picked up Luna’s limp body and placed her onto the blanket. Without missing a beat Val started mouth to mouth resuscitation while the man kept counting aloud, alternating it with the cardiac massage he had been taught.
The man grabbed Luna’s wrist and applied a little pressure, focusing all his senses to feel her heartbeat. “Her pulse is weak but she’s breathing, man.” The man grinned a little. “You saved her life!”
Val heard the sound of the ambulance, coming closer and closer and sighed heavily, closing his eyes for a second. He could feel his own adrenaline pounding furiously in the rhythm of his heartbeats.
“Shit!” The man gasped and Val’s eyes snapped open. “Look at that, man.”
Glancing down, Val wanted to die when he saw Luna’s white cotton pants drenched in blood. No, NO, NO! His eyes blurred with tears as Val went motionless for a second. If he wouldn’t have been on his knees he would had sunk down. Oh, please, God, no! Not the baby, please! Val pulled Luna to him and closed his eyes, praying silently.
————–
Extract Song: “Beautiful Day”
Artist: U2
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything. I’m not making money and no damage has been done.
next…
Secrets 62
Chapter 62
Renee’s and Val’s place
“Oh, my God…” Renee gasped, getting out of the bed. “What the fuck happened to you?” Her eyes widened completely as she gave Val a fast once over.
His right eye was swollen shut, already starting to bruise. His neck showed some scratches, the knuckles on his right hand were badly bruised, almost purple and his left hand was bandaged.
“I went to box but forgot my gloves.” Val grinned, regretting his action one second later as soon as his bottom lip split open and started bleeding slightly.
He sighed hard, watching Renee staring at him through narrowed eyes, blue narrowed eyes. She was pissed off.
“I had a fight with Vin.”
“What?!” Renee blinked, shocked to her core. “What are both of you now? A couple of teenagers getting in a fight?” She scolded him, closing the distance between them. “Jesus, Val! You look like shit!” She shook her head, inspecting his eye.
Letting out a hiss in pain, followed by a string of obscenities in his mother tongue, Val took a seat on the bed.
“Wait ‘till you take a look at Vin, princesa.” He winced when Renee cupped his face not so gently. “Ouch!”
“I told you that asshole needed someone smacking some common sense within his thick, bald skull once and for all, but…” Renee pressed her lips together, fighting back a giggle. “I didn’t think you were going to do that, literally.”
Val laughed hard, cursing aloud when his ribs screamed in protest. “¡Coño! The motherfucker has some nice blows.”
Renee got serious in a heartbeat. She knew things had gotten out of hand pretty fast if Val had lost it in such a way. The last time something similar took place had been in Santo Domingo.
“What did happen, Valentino?” She whispered, carefully stroking his cheek.
Val let out a heavy sigh and met her concerned gaze. “They dubbed me.” His voice sounded hoarse and full of pain. “They dubbed my voice and Vin knew it.”
“Valentino…” Renee took his hand in hers, squeezing softly.
She better than anyone else knew how Val felt about that. It felt like a betrayal, an unforgivable betrayal actually, because his best friend had allowed it.
Renee knew that Val had put his heart, mind and soul into playing his role and this was the reward he was getting in return. Nothing. All his efforts, months of research, countless hours of rehearsing reduced to ashes.
“That’s why he didn’t let me watch ‘SETH’. He allowed them to do that shit to me, again…” Val trailed off, feeling all his tough guy façade vanishing in seconds, the weight and hidden meaning behind Vin’s words finally crashing down on him. “I should have known better than to think it would be my chance, Renee…I should have known he wouldn’t let me…” His gaze fixed in a spot only he could see as he kept whispering absently. “He’s right though, I’m a loser, a failure… I’m nothing more than a punch-drunk boxer…begging for a chance to have success while I pick up the crumbs he’s throwing my way…”
Renee’s eyes filled with angry tears as she cupped Val’s face. “Now, you hear me here, Valentino Morales.” She muttered fiercely. “You’re not a failure and you’re not a goddamed punch-drunk boxer either. And sure as hell you are not a loser, do you understand me?”
Renee put as much reassurance as she could in her words, making sure that Val realized she was not saying those things just to make him feel better, but because she really believed those words with everything in her.
“Oh, come on, Renee.” Val chuckled. “I’m good for nothing, princesa. I can’t even get you pregnant, carajo! I’m just…”
“Shut the fuck up, Valentino! I’m not fucking done!!” Renee cut him off, her eyes sparkling with a weird mix of anger, pain and love.
“I did marry a hell of man from head to toe with a set of balls, a fierce determination and a precious heart, got it?” Renee’s voice didn’t leave room for complaints. “And you should know another thing,” she hesitated for a second, not being sure if she should tell him about the pregnancy test at this very moment. Then Renee locked eyes with Valentino and plunged ahead. “I’m pregnant.”
Val’s good eye widened completely as he gasped. “What…?”
Renee nodded ‘yes’, tears prickling down her cheeks. “I bought a pregnancy test and it’s positive.”
Val’s mind went into overdrive, his personal issues forgotten completely, pushed aside in seconds.
This was the very first time since they had gotten married that Renee had actually bought one of those. Never, not even when her period had failed once before, no matter what they did, and they had done everything humanly possible to have a family, had she bought a pregnancy test. Even things that ‘normal’ people wouldn’t have done because it would sound as if they had gone insane. Such as drinking beverages that supposedly would increase Val’s sexual vigor or Renee’s fertility; sexual positions that were more acrobatic challenges than pleasurable, even old recipes and rituals that old Dominican shamans had been using for centuries and everything with identical results. And now…
“But…how…?” Renee knit a brow. Why the hell did men always asked ‘how’? As if the answer wasn’t obvious. “I mean…when…” He swallowed forcefully over a huge lump in his throat.
Renee smiled through her tears. “Valentino, baby, we’ve been fucking like rabbits in heat for weeks.” She deadpanned and then giggled when Val’s lips spread in a half-goofy grin and his good eye leered at her. “Sooner or later you were going to hit the mark.”
Val pulled Renee to him, wincing a little when his body reminded him that he had gotten in a fight a couple of hours before. Val didn’t care. Nothing else mattered except the need to feel his wife as close to him as physically possible.
Val hugged Renee and closed his eyes, thinking about how his life had been a never ending race searching for something worthwhile to hold onto before he was forty years old and how as the years passed by, that race turned into a race against the clock.
Thinking about how nothing had made sense until he crossed paths with Renee and she showed him he could do anything if he had enough confidence in himself to try it.
Thinking that yet again, his wife was the one showing him there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
And Val lost the last shred of restrain he was using to not let himself go, crying like a little kid.
Renee hugged him tightly, feeling his heart pounding within his chest as Val kept crying, without enough strength left to stop.
“Let it go, baby…” Renee whispered, rocking Val as if he was a little baby, crying silently in each other’s arms. It had been too much to deal with at one time.
There were a lot of thing they had to talk about but everything could wait.
——————–
Vin’s old house
Vin hissed, letting out a string of obscenities and kept drinking directly from the bottle of whiskey. His left cheekbone and jaw hurt like a bitch, his bottom lip was split in two, his knuckles were swollen, his shoulders felt as if they were numb and he was sure he would be pissing blood for at least four days if not more.
Vin couldn’t believe that Val had beaten the shit out of him, again. At least, Val knew how to punch to cause damage without actually breaking any bones. Still his ribs were screaming in pure agony and Vin had taken a couple of pills to lessen the after effects of Valentino’s beating, swallowing them with his old friend ‘Jack Daniels’.
It was an explosive cocktail, Vin knew, but it wasn’t as if he was expecting to have company at all. In fact he doubted anyone would show up, not after the shitty way he had been acting with everybody.
Vin got comfortable on his huge old bed and kept drinking his ass off, drowning his sorrow in the burning alcohol and thinking non-stop about all the people he loved and that he had hurt.
Vin couldn’t believe the nasty things he had said to Valentino. He didn’t even know why he had said them to begin with. Well, hell, he knew but he hadn’t actually meant them, right?
Vin had wanted to hurt Val as much as Val had hurt him and the fact that he had spoken without even considering the effects his words would have on his best friend didn’t say anything good about him as a person. Quite the opposite, Vin knew, even if he didn’t like to acknowledge, that his reprehensible behavior didn’t deserve to be forgiven or even forgotten. Nothing Vin could say or do from now on would change what he had said and had done in the past. Nothing.
As he kept drinking in a desperate, blind race in search of oblivion, Vin recalled Val’s words and saw his own actions through Val’s eyes. It caused him to feel like a worthless piece of shit. It was not only a betrayal, but one of the worst kind; the betrayal of a friend.
Vin had been surrounded by so many called ‘friends’ for so much time that he had found it hard to distinguish between those who loved him for what he did and those who loved him for what he was.
He had forgotten that real friendship required time and dedication. Things Vin didn’t have any problem with while getting a new project ready or shooting a new movie. But regarding his private life, his feelings, the people he loved… well, that was a whole different matter.
Closing his eyes, Vin sunk deeper and deeper in his pain, realizing that his own cowardice had led him to feel the way he was feeling. Alone.
Vin had tried to contact Luna, calling the house, but the phone seemed to have been disconnected. Then Vin had phoned Renee and her cell phone had been busy since early in the afternoon. He had tried to contact Steve and Mike, getting identical results.
Vin hadn’t known what the hell was going on until Marcela called him, telling him that the gossip about his ‘affair’ with Sheila had been made public.
At that very second, Vin realized what a huge fuckup he had made. His timing couldn’t have been worse. Moving out of ‘Black Star’ would only make him appear guiltier than the sin itself.
Vin had no doubt that Luna would think he had betrayed her, and what was worse, it was when she felt more vulnerable than ever, being pregnant. Their marriage would be done.
He had thought about going in search of Luna, determined to ask for forgiveness and a new chance. He even had gotten as far as to get ready, but half way dressed, he went motionless, watching his reflection staring back at him. He had ‘guilty’ written all over his face and his tired gaze was pointing an accusatory finger. In such a state, he just couldn’t stand in front of Luna.
Vin hated to admit that he was once more acting like a coward and hated himself even more for that.
Desperately needing to hear a friendly voice and, even though they had been fighting like two stray dogs, Vin had phoned Valentino. His best friend’s reply had been ‘fuck you, Diesel’ and then he had hung up the phone on him. So, Vin had grabbed the bottle of whiskey and had gotten in bed with only the company of his own pain, anger and frustration.
——————
The security guard gave Sheila the once over and then narrowed his eyes. “I have orders to not let anyone enter the property.”
Sheila rolled her eyes. “I’m not anyone, honey. I’m Sheila Harley.” She smiled seductively, slightly raising her dress, flashing the man with her tanned thighs. “Mr. Diesel called me and told me to come here. So, would you let me in, please? I’d hate to make him wait for me any longer, sweetie.”
The security guard swallowed forcefully when Sheila absently stroked her inner thigh, licking her lips as she glanced at the obvious bulge in his pants.
“I…I’m sorry, Miss Harley, but Mr. Diesel’s orders were…” He trailed off when Sheila reached through the window, stroking his hard on. Just the fabric of his uniform pants separating him from feeling her hands on his cock for real.
“What would you say if we find a way to get what we both want, Mr…”
“Ferguson, Stanley Ferguson.” The security guard whimpered, as his eyes closed. He was about to explode in his pants.
“Stanley…” Sheila breathed as she applied pressure. “Why don’t you show me what you got for me in there, big boy?” Her voice sounded with a weird mix of innocence and lust, sending shivers up Stanley’s spine. “I bet you’re packing some serious deal, huh, Stan?” Sheila winked seductively as she kept squeezing, stroking and caressing him.
“Oh, god…” Stanley groaned, shuddering, watching Sheila’s other hand disappearing under her short dress and between her long, perfect legs.
Sheila moaned, her eyes fluttering closed and squeezed the bulge harder. She could feel the fabric getting wet and, swallowing her nausea back down her throat, Sheila looked up at Stanley’s face.
He wasn’t ugly or disgusting, but sure as hell Sheila would never have given him the time of the day. Actually, she wouldn’t have looked him twice at all, but Marcela had told her that Vin was alone and that now she had a perfect chance to show him that she would be at his side, no matter what.
Sheila thought about her current situation. She wanted to get inside Vin’s house and she would do anything. So without giving a second thought, she spread her legs apart slightly, giving the security guard a hell of a view. She wasn’t wearing panties.
“What do you say, Stan? Do we have a deal?” Her voice caused Stanley’s cock to twitch wildly within the confines of his slacks.
Not even in his wildest sexual fantasies would Stanley dare to conjure such a vision in front of him and he nodded ‘yes’ eagerly. He was more than game and he was not going to let pass up the chance of having a piece of such a fine ass. To hell with Mr. Diesel’s orders, after all Stanley was just an employee at the end of the chain. He could always say he didn’t know Miss Sheila Harley hadn’t been invited to come visit the action movie star.
———————
Black Star. Vin’s and Luna’s house
“Luna, come on, where are you going?” Allison stood, watching Luna getting ready, grabbing a pair of white cotton pants and a matching top. “It’s almost 2am.”
“I’m going to talk with my husband, that’s where I’m going.” She calmly answered, turning around, searching for her purse.
Allison sighed hard. “Listen, sugar, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She frowned, concerned, as she followed Luna’s every move.
Luna seemed too calm after Allison told her about the ‘affair’ between Vin and Sheila. She hadn’t gone through a tantrum and she wasn’t even crying. Luna looked too damn relaxed and that was what scared Allison the most.
Allison even added that it probably was just a desperate move on the part of the Studio to promote ‘SETH’. That it was common practice. But Luna had just nodded and had started getting ready. Allison wasn’t even sure if Luna had paid attention at all.
“Well, it might not be a good idea but I want him looking at my eyes when I ask him what’s going on.” Luna grabbed her purse and headed towards the door.
“Why don’t you wait until tomorrow morning? You will see things in a different light, Luna.” Allison moved ahead of her, blocking the exit. “I’m going with you.”
“No.” Luna shook her head. “I’m going alone and I’m going right now.” She narrowed her eyes when Allison didn’t move an inch.
“Luna, you can’t go alone, please think about the baby.” Allison’s concerned was plainly visible. “Something could happen while you’re driving and you’d be alone. What if you have an accident? What if…?”
Allison trailed off, closing her eyes for a second. She just couldn’t figure out how she would feel if something bad happened to Luna. She would lose her only friend.
Luna took a deep breath and, gently, she squeezed Allison’s arm. “Nothing will happen and I’ll be fine. I’m perfectly well and look,” Luna pressed Allison’s hand over her heart, “I’m not even stressed. I’m okay, I feel okay and I only want to be alone to talk with my husband, Allison.” She answered, feeling her heart skipping a beat. “I need to talk with him face to face, so please, move.”
Allison shook her head. There was no way in hell she was going to let Luna drove alone and at this time of the night. That would be almost suicide.
“Please, sugar, I can’t do that, Luna.” Allison pleaded silently with her to not keep insisting on going alone. “I can’t let you go alone.”
Luna knit a brow. “Listen, Allison, I’m fucking tired of people telling me what I can and what I cannot do. Now fucking move.”
Allison pressed her jaw hard. “Luna…please…let me help you.”
Luna rolled her eyes. “If you want to help me then move out of my way and let me do what I have to do.”
“Luna…”
“Get the fuck out of my way, Allison!” Luna raised her voice, causing Roman to go on guard.
Allison glanced at the dog over Luna’s shoulder and watched him, staring at her. His eyes fixed and he was showing his fangs, growling.
“Luna,” Allison swallowed, “Roman is giving me a funny look and he’s scaring me.”
Luna knit a brow. “That’s because he knows you’re upsetting me, so move out of my way, now.” Her cold tone of voice sent shivers up Allison’s spine.
“You wouldn’t let him to attack me, right?” Allison smiled nervously, feeling her own heart skipping a beat.
“Wouldn’t like to.” Luna replied emotionless.
Allison gasped under her breath and, reluctantly, she moved out of the way.
“Thank you.” Luna whispered coldly and headed towards the main entrance, finding Steve already waiting for her. He had heard the two women’s conversation.
“I’ll drive you, baby.” He said, grabbing the keys of the SUV.
Luna looked down for a second and then locked eyes with Steve. “No, you won’t.” She coldly replied, grabbing the keys for the Mercedes.
Steve stretched his back, rolling his shoulders and stood blocking the main entrance of the house. “You’re not going anywhere without me, Luna. I’m your bodyguard and you’re not going out without protection. Not at this time of the night and much less in your current state.” His voice sounded as cold as ice, causing Luna to narrow her eyes.
“Listen to me, Steve and listen to me well because I will only tell you once.” She moved forward a step and stood in front of Steve. Surprisingly her heart was beating normally and when Luna spoke, her tone of voice matched Steve’s. “I will go wherever the fuck I want and I will do it without you. I don’t need your protection because you are not my bodyguard anymore. You’re fired, Steve.”
“Luna!” Allison gasped; she couldn’t give credit to what she was hearing.
Steve arched a brow but other than that he didn’t move a single muscle in his body.
“I’m not shitting, Steve. Move out of my way or I’ll call the cops so they can throw you off my property.” Luna whispered, emotionless, her tone of voice firm as steel.
Steve gritted his teeth and, cursing silently, he moved to one side, opening the door.
Luna let out the air she didn’t even know she was holding and padded to the door. When she reached it, she stopped and turned her head, meeting Steve’s hurtful gaze.
“And if you follow me, I’ll make sure you won’t get another job in this city of shit.” And with that she headed directly to the car, getting in.
“Steve…” Allison whispered, closing the distance between them. “I…She’s not herself; she doesn’t mean those things, you know it, right?” Hesitantly, she placed a hand in his forearm, noticing that Steve was shaking.
Steve turned his head, staring at Luna as she reversed the car and drove directly to the main gates of ‘Black Star’. Once the Mercedes couldn’t be seen anymore, Steve returned his attention to Allison.
“You stay here in case someone phones. I’m gonna follow her.” He grinned slightly and without thinking, he leaned forward a bit, kissing Allison’s cheek, lingering.
Allison shivered and met his gaze. “Call me if anything goes wrong, okay?”
In response, Steve nodded ‘yes’ and turning around he hurried his steps, getting in the SUV.
PART II
Vin’s old house
“Wow!” Sheila entered the bedroom, closing the door at her back. She never had seen Vin looking such a mess. “You look like shit, Diesel!”
“I’ve known better days, I admit.” Vin slurred without thinking, blinking slowly.
The room seemed to spin around and he cursed silently. He was wasted all right.
Adjusting his blurry vision, Vin watched Sheila standing a few feet of him. “Now look who’s coming?” He narrowed his eyes, taking a long drag of the bottle. “Did you fuck my bodyguards to get in here or what?” He chuckled at his words.
Sheila’s lips twitched in anger but she decided to ignore his nasty remark. She hadn’t needed to do that at all. Once Stanley the security guard let her enter the property, the rest had been a piece of cake.
One of Vin’s bodyguard had been playing X-box and the other had let her in as soon as she told him that Vin had phoned her.
Sheila didn’t know it, but the guy hadn’t even recognized her. Vin’s bodyguard thought she was just some slut his boss had phoned to keep him company. He was supposed to be happily married but then again, he was still Vin Diesel.
So the guy didn’t even think twice and just nodded, showing Sheila the way to Vin’s bedroom.
“I came to offer you my shoulder. I heard you’re going through some hard times.” Sheila closed the distance between them, standing in front of him.
Vin really looked smashed and Sheila did her best not to start bouncing up and down. She couldn’t have planned it better if she had done it herself.
“I thought you needed a friendly face around you.”
Vin snorted, sipping from the bottle. “I don’t need a friendly face around me. What I need is my wife,” he muttered bitterly. “I need Luna but I fucked things up big time and now she must be very pissed off.” He arched his brows, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, or trying to.
Sheila rolled her eyes and, smiling sweetly, she got ready to play the Devil’s advocate. That way she figured she would get closer to Vin, in every sense of the word.
“Oh, come on, I don’t think it’ll go beyond that.” She took a seat and reached out, asking without words for Vin to share the bottle of whiskey.
Vin frowned a little, weighing his options and finally he handed it to her.
“Luna loves you and she will see reason in a couple of days.” Sheila paused to sip, wincing a little when the amber liquid set a path of fire down her throat and then continued. “You only have to give her some time alone, so she can put her own thoughts in order.”
Vin shook his head ‘no’ too fast, cursing when the room kept spinning around him, even though he was sure he had stopped shaking his head.
There was no way that Luna was going to forgive and forget this one. No way in hell and Vin knew it. Deep down he had no doubt; Luna would leave him. He was going to lose her forever, just as Allison had warned him.
“You don’t know my wife; she will cut off my balls and then she will rip out your eyeballs.” He whispered, closing his eyes, fighting his sudden nausea. “Luna is not a woman to mess with; believe me, you don’t want to have her as an enemy.” Vin sighed hard, feeling sick just thinking about how Luna would have felt when she had found about the fucking faked romance.
Sheila rolled her eyes, swallowing the snort back down her throat. Luna was a sweet naïve angel compare to her. She was the one that Luna should be worried about and not the other way around.
“She will understand that we didn’t have a choice in this, Vin.” She placed a hand on his thigh and squeezed softly. “It’s our careers we’re talking about and Luna knows you deserve to have success.”
In response, Vin half opened his eyes, glancing down and then up at Sheila’s face. She grinned a little and grabbed the bottle. Thinking about something that she had learnt long ago, telling lies you will get truths, Sheila smiled sadly.
“I’m not in much of a better position than you, Vin, you know? My boyfriend…erm…Stan, went ballistic too.” Sheila sipped, just wetting her lips. She didn’t want to lose control at all; she needed her mind clear. “But I explained to him that sometimes we have no other choice but to do things that most people would find indecent or amoral to reach our goals.” Sheila watched Vin and realized that he was staring down at her legs. “It’s the price we have to pay to have success.” She grinned inwardly and spread them, pretending that she had done it without thinking and then continued talking, noticing the soft twitch within Vin’s pants. “He got over it and we’ve only been dating each other for a few weeks now. So Luna will understand since she’s your wife.”
Sheila did her best to cover the unbearable disgust she felt at the mere mention of Luna’s name and the fact that she was indeed Vin’s wife, for now at least.
Sheila would play this role until she was sure Luna was out of the picture and then, she was planning to take what remained of Vin, putting him together again so that they both could live the kind of lifestyle Sheila desperately wanted to enjoy.
The odd tone of Sheila’s voice caught Vin’s attention and he turned his gaze to her, giving Sheila a slow once over through the misty fog his self induced alcohol state of mind had reached.
Vin frowned deeply, feeling his cock stirring and shamelessly he adjusted himself. Too many months playing one against five were now coming back to kick his balls.
Sheila was sinfully stunning, breathtakingly beautiful but she just wasn’t Luna. The last thing Vin needed right now was a brainless bimbo giving him advice. Wasted or not, horny or not, he just wasn’t in the mood for company, not even female company, even if his dick didn’t agree with him.
“Whatever…” Vin muttered under his breath, staring at Sheila’s eyes, watching how her dark brown eyes morphed into Luna’s green eyes.
Vin’s breath caught in his throat and he swallowed past an invisible knot that came from nowhere. In seconds, the rest of Sheila’s body followed the transformation that her eyes had undergone and in seconds he wasn’t staring at Sheila anymore; the young actress had somehow vanished.
Vin’s tortured mind conjured a vision of Luna laughing wickedly and even though Sheila was still prattling, Vin wasn’t listening to her anymore, in fact he wasn’t even watching her anymore. All his sense were focused on his vision and he was even listening to Luna’s smoky voice, whispering sweet nonsense things in his ear as he made love to her.
Vin’s gaze slid down blindly, lost in thought about his wife. His eyes were staring at Sheila’s waxed pussy; its lips glistening.
Within his mind, these pussy lips didn’t belong to Sheila but to Luna and subconsciously, Vin groaned, feeling his cock hardening in seconds. Luna’s voice was echoing faintly, calling him, saying that she loved him and that she belonged to him; that she was all his.
All of a sudden Vin’s jeans felt uncomfortably tight and he shifted on the bed without warning.
Sheila had kept talking but she hadn’t stopped watching Vin’s every move and used his unexpected move to ‘accidentally’ spill the amber liquid all over her ample cleavage.
“Oh, Damn!” She exclaimed, doing a show of cleaning herself off and pulling Vin out of his gutter and into painful reality. “Look what you did, Vin!” Sheila half laughed, half whined.
Vin growled, annoyed, realizing that his mind had been playing tricks with him and that Luna wasn’t anywhere close to him.
Ignoring Sheila’s voice, saying something about not having anything to wear, Vin watched his hand, moving as in slow motion, grabbing the bottle from another hand that sure as hell didn’t belong to him, mostly because the nails were polished in a strident red colour, and took a long gulp, spilling half of it.
“Do you have something I can wear, Vin?” Sheila looked around, spotting one of Vin’s tee-shirts draped over the arm of a couch.
In response Vin shrugged his shoulder, not giving a damn about anything at all, not even Sheila’s perfect body a few feet from him, naked as the day she was born.
The room spun around him once more and Vin shut his eyes tightly. That was it. He was on his merry way into oblivion. Can’t wait to reach my destination, Vin thought bitterly and swallowed, blacking out.
—————
Renee’s and Val’s place
“You did what?!” Valentino jumped to his feet, cursing when his ribs screamed in protest and grabbed his discarded cargoes with his free hand.
“I had no other choice, man, Luna threatened me with calling the cops to throw me off ‘Black Star’.” Steve’s concerned voice replied as he kept following Luna, moving through the traffic. “She’s driving to Vin’s old place now, I’m a couple of cars behind her.”
“What’s the matter, Val?” Renee watched Valentino, searching for his trainers.
Val turned around, sitting on the bed. “Luna went to talk with Vin, alone and driving the Mercedes.” He answered, slipping his trainers on, his cell phone placed between his shoulder and head.
“Oh my God!” Renee’s eyes widened completely as she gasped. Her guts screamed at her, her mind already racing while she heard Val’s voice as he went on.
Without giving it a second thought, Renee jumped out of the bed and made a mad dash to the closet, pulling out a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt.
“I live closer to Vin’s old place.” Val got to his feet and turned around, grabbing a sleeveless shirt that was crumpled on a chair. “I’m on my way, you don’t lose her, okay?”
Renee dressed in record time and went to call Vin. His cell phone was out of order and when she went to call the house, Renee remembered that they had disconnected the line. Fighting the sudden urge to kill someone, Renee went to call Allison when her cell phone rang. Allison was phoning her.
“Oh, shit! Can’t fucking believe it!” Steve punched the steering wheel, glancing at the rearview mirror.
A patrol car was flashing at him as a voice ordered him to slow down, stopping the car at the side of the road, immediately.
The sound of a siren in the background covered Steve’s words and Val frowned. “What? What did you say man, I didn’t hear you!” Valentino raised his voice, heading directly to the entrance of the house, picking up the car keys.
Renee was right behind him, talking with Allison, and Luna’s agent explained to Renee what had happened.
“You’re not gonna believe this shit, Val!” Steve muttered through clenched teeth, looking back and forth to the front and back through the rearview mirror, seriously considering ignoring the cops’ order.
Steve knew that if they stopped him, he would lose track of Luna. Of course, he knew where she was heading, but Steve wanted to arrive at the same time as her.
Another patrol car joined the first one, positioning itself in front of the SUV, braking and forcing Steve to brake as well or he would hit the cops’ car.
“What the fuck is going on, carajo?!” Valentino shouted, hearing the sirens and Steve cursing like a mad man. “Steve?”
“Fuck!” Steve cursed and finally stopped the SUV at the verge of the road.
Valentino frowned deeply, listening how someone, apparently cops, ordered Steve to get out of the car, keeping his hands where they could see them as another one asked Steve why he was stalking Vin Diesel’s wife.
After that, the line went silent.
———————-
Luna heard the distant sound of the cops’ sirens and deep down she felt bad for Steve. She could understand that Steve thought he was doing the right thing, but Luna thought the very same. She was sick and tired of people ignoring her words, making decisions in her place and pushing her around. She had just reached her limit.
Never before had Luna thought she would find herself in such an extreme position that she didn’t give a damn about anything at all, not even herself. She was beyond caring; she just wanted to stop the world so she could get off. This was not living, this was just a bad joke and she didn’t even feel like herself anymore.
Luna had been thinking nonstop about Allison’s words and how she had done the best to sugar coat a blow that there was no way to lessen. It had been the very last straw and Luna found herself getting ready to go in search of the fucking truth once and for all. She couldn’t stand any more lies or secrets.
It occurred to Luna that everything could be just one of Marcela’s Machiavellian plans. The perfect example of how much control she had over Vin. The realization didn’t make Luna feel better. Quite the opposite, she only felt angrier, thinking about how stupid her own husband was.
“You definitely married a brainless bunch of muscles, Luna,” she scolded herself, noticing that Vin’s black SUV wasn’t following her anymore.
The cops probably were going to keep Steve in custody until Renee sent someone to get him out.
Luna felt like shit for making Steve go through such a mess, but she just didn’t want anyone following her. More than anything she wanted, no needed, to feel in control of every single one of her actions. To feel that she could get back the control over her life, her body and mind that she had lost, and for that, Luna was sure that she had to be alone.
Letting out a heavy sigh, Luna shook her head and concentrated her senses on driving; it always made her feel good. It clarified her thoughts and kept her mind sharp. Something that Luna knew she was going to need. No more acting on impulse.
——————–
“Valentino, let me go with you, please….” Renee pleaded, unnoticed tears running down her face.
“Princesa… You gotta get Steve out of the mess Luna got him into.” Val sighed hard, wiping away her tears with his thumb.
Steve had been arrested for sending to hell one of the cops after trying for the fifth time to explain to the agent that he wasn’t a stalker but her fucking bodyguard. It was all Steve could say though because giving more details about why and how would only mean a violation of his own code of ethics. He wouldn’t reveal the farfetched reality that lay behind Luna’s irresponsible action.
The less details they knew, the better. Steve was sure that this mess would make the headlines along with the fucking ‘romance’. He didn’t care though. The only thing within Steve’s mind was the fact that he didn’t know if Luna was okay.
As soon as Steve had been taken to the police station, he had been allowed to make a phone call and Steve had phoned Val.
“Mike will be here in a minute and I promise you I’ll call you as soon as I arrive at the house, okay?” He whispered, kissing her forehead softly.
“Okay.” Renee breathed, knowing deep down that Val was right.
She wouldn’t be of any use and she seriously doubted she would be able to stop herself from slapping Vin if he said or did something, anything that end up hurting Luna even more than she was already.
“I love you.” Val hugged Renee tightly and then got in his car.
“Te amo.” Renee whispered, watching Val’s car disappearing from view just as Mike’s car pulled up.
—————-
Vin’s old house
Stanley watched a Mercedes approaching the gates and grinned inwardly when he realized there was a woman driving it. Shit, this Diesel is one lucky bastard, Stanley stretched his back, thrusting his chest out and stood to one side.
Luna narrowed her eyes when she saw the security guard openly leering at her. She stopped the car to search for the remote to open the gates. Luna remembered it was still within the glove compartment.
Stanley used the occasion to get closer, hoping to get a better look at this chick. Maybe he would get lucky and get to hit it for second time tonight.
“Good night, beautiful.” Stanley mock-saluted, leaning against the window and placing his forearm on top of the convertible roof. “There’s s party up there or something?” His lips spread in a dirty smile as he gestured with his head in the direction of the house. “You know you gotta make a deal with Stan to get in there, right, babe?” Stanley waggled his brows, playfully tapping his crotch.
Slowly, Luna turned her head, pinning Stan with a cold gaze. He felt a chill running up his spine as his blood froze in his veins. Something told him that he had just put his foot in his mouth.
Sliding down the window, Luna knit a brow. “Excuse me?” Her tone of voice matched her cold gaze as she looked at Stan as if he was a swine worm. “Do I look like one of those trashy sluts that are walking around Hollywood boulevard, Stan?”
Stanley swallowed hard as he looked down, spotting Luna’s rounded belly, more visible since she was wearing a tight white top. As in slow motion, he looked up at her face and swallowed again, more forcefully this time.
Luna wasn’t wearing makeup and her hair was pulled up in a ponytail. The only piece of jewelry she was wearing was a pair of simple golden rings, her wedding band and the black star ring.
Stanley wasn’t an expert but even in his ignorance, he bet those golden rings were more expensive than his car.
Furrowing his brows, he looked at the woman closely, really looked at her and cringed inwardly as soon as recognition dawned. This woman was not a trashy slut but Vin Diesel’s wife in the flesh and bones.
“I…I’m sorry, ma’am, I…I didn’t…I didn’t recognize y-you.” Stanley stammered, realizing that he had made the biggest fuckup ever. He was going to be booted out of his job in less than 24 hours, Stanley knew as sure as he knew his name.
Luna’s eyes were sparkling with dislike as she pressed the remote, without averting her infuriated gaze from the disgusting man standing at her side. In seconds the gates whined and started opening causing Stanley to curse his damn luck.
The gates finally opened completely and Stanley moved backwards so fast that he tripped on his own feet. He thought about warning ‘Mrs. Diesel’ that her husband wasn’t alone, but then thought better. He suspected he had already talked too much, better if he kept his big mouth shut.
Luna didn’t answer; she just slid the window up and crossed the gates without even looking at him. She didn’t need to be told. Vin wasn’t alone. The question left was to find if he had called an escort service or if he had phoned somebody else.
Luna drove the path up to the house and spotted a yellow Lamborghini Diablo parked at the right side, next to a rented black SUV and another car.
Her gaze slid up and Luna saw the lights were on in the main bedroom, and then she looked again at the Italian car, narrowing her eyes.
As far as she knew, there was no one among their friends or employees that owned a Lamborghini Diablo, and she seriously doubted that a prostitute, no matter how much she charged for her services, would have such an indecently expensive vehicle.
The soft hair of her nape stood and Luna shivered uncontrollably. All of a sudden, the idea of Vin fucking some professional didn’t hurt as much as the other possibility Luna didn’t even dare to think about.
Taking a deep slow breath, Luna switched off the engine and leaned backwards in her seat. A small pinch in her lower belly caused her to wince slightly and she closed her eyes.
Her heart was beating faster now and Luna took a new deep breath, exhaling the air slowly, practicing the breathing techniques that Vin’s trainer had taught her.
Inside the house, Sheila heard the sound of car pulling up. Glancing at Vin, she found that he had passed out and was snoring softly, his face half buried on the pillow.
Sheila rolled her eyes, thinking that if his fans would be able to take a look at him at that very moment, they would have ran like hell.
Vin definitively looked a mess, full of bruises, with his face and head scruffy, dark shadows under his eyes and stinking with a mix of alcohol, smoke and sweat.
Frowning a little, Sheila shook her head and, padding to the window, she discretely peered through the curtains. There was a Mercedes she recognized in a flash parked; its lights still on. Luna’s.
Unable to believe her luck, Sheila whooped silently, bouncing up and down, and got ready to strike the biggest blow ever.
Without waiting a second, she dashed to the bathroom. Once in there, Sheila wet her hair in the shower and then gave herself a fast once over in the huge mirror. Satisfied with the results, Sheila hurried her steps, padding directly to the bed, wearing only the tee-shirt that she had borrowed from Vin.
Unceremoniously, Sheila rolled Vin to one side, realizing that 200 pounds of drunk guy weighed much more than what she figured.
In response, Vin growled, slurring Luna’s name but that was all the acknowledgement he showed. He was in a place far from reality, making love to Luna on a beach and he wasn’t in a hurry to come back any time soon.
Sheila cursed, gritting her teeth, doing her best to remove Vin’s jeans. Wrestling wasn’t her style and Vin wasn’t helping.
At least he had been shirtless when she showed up and Sheila gave endless thanks for that. She was sure she wouldn’t be able to remove the damn shirt without a little bit of Vin’s cooperation.
——————–
Luna entered the house and found one of Vin’s bodyguards exiting the kitchen. The man went motionless, staring at her. He recognized Luna in one second flat and smiled slightly.
“Good night, ma’am.”
Luna nodded politely and headed towards the main bedroom, hearing at her back the man calling his partner and both of them talking in whispers. The words a mere murmur in the distance, Luna pushed to the back of her mind so she could keep focused.
The two bodyguards sneaked behind her, not in plain view but still at earshot. They wanted to be close just in case things got out of hand damn fast. At the end, Diesel’s wife was pregnant and they recalled that she had also heart problems.
Some sectors within the media had made a show of praising Luna for having the guts to go ahead with her pregnancy in spite of the serious risk to her life and the baby’s life that she was running.
Stopping right at the door, Luna’s breath hitched as her heart started to race wildly. She took a deep breath and, stretching her back, she opened the door completely.
Somehow Luna suspected what she was going to find, and even though deep down she had prayed silently for being wrong, the vision broke her heart in million pieces, leaving in its place an empty hollow.
Vin was naked, apparently sleeping, and Sheila was standing, lighting a cigarette, her hair wet, as if she had taken a shower and she was wearing one of Vin’s tee- shirts.
The room smelled of alcohol and weed. Luna’s eyes narrowed when forcing her sickness back down her throat, she breathed in deeply and didn’t smell sex. At that exact second her brain went into overdrive.
Just like many women, Luna had thought about her own reaction if she found her husband with another woman in bed, especially after some friend or acquaintances had gone through such a painful experience.
Some of her friends had agreed that they would lose her mind, rushing to the woman, slapping the hell out of her. Others had agreed that they would cut their husband’s balls off, since he was the only one to blame.
Honestly, Luna had never been able to think about the best course of action, since she was sure no one would be able to think in advance about how to react or what to do until they found themselves in the cheated woman’s shoes.
The irony was that Luna was now the betrayed woman and there she was, clinically analyzing the situation with a coldness she herself found amusing.
This was a set up, no doubt, and an amateur one for that matter. Still, that was not the important thing. The question here was that Vin had let Sheila in, instead of throwing her out and that was enough for Luna to know what to do.
Staring openly at Sheila, Luna grinned evilly. She was going to turn on her heels and she was going to leave them be, because they definitely deserve each other.
Both Vin and Sheila were selfish, egocentric, heartless, manipulative and brainless. Like the old saying goes; ‘birds of a feather flock together’.
Luna chuckled sadly and turned around, getting ready to leave not only the house but Vin’s life forever when Sheila’s next words stopped her.
“What, you’re not gonna say anything?” Sheila raised her face, defiantly staring at Luna’s back.
As in slow motion, Luna turned her head and met Sheila’s triumphant expression written all over her face. They stared at each other’s eyes for what it seemed an eternity until Luna broke the dead silence with a few words that caused Sheila to feel small and insignificant even though she wouldn’t have admitted that to anyone, not even to herself.
“Good luck, Sheila, you’re gonna need it.”
And with that, Luna headed directly to the main entrance.
Sheila grunted and ran to the door of the bedroom, stopping just when one of the bodyguards stood in her way.
“And what does that shit mean, huh, bitch? Are you threatening me, you fat cow?” Sheila yelled, her face flushing with anger as she tried to pass around the bodyguard. “Get the fuck out of my way, asshole!” Sheila pushed him but the guy didn’t move a muscle, just glared down at her and Sheila took a step backwards, gritting her teeth.
“You’re not woman enough for him, you know? And I hope you lose that little bastard you’re carrying in your fucking womb!” Sheila shouted with all the venom she could put in her words.
Luna closed her eyes for a second, fighting the sudden urge to kill Sheila with her bare hands, but kept walking with firm steps, showing a dignity that Sheila was far from being able to show and that only placed her in an even lower level compared to the real lady that was leaving the house.
Vin and Sheila definitely deserved each other and Luna wished with everything in her that Vin gave Sheila half the hell he had given her since they both met.
Luna’s heart was broken and there was nothing left, that was true, but she also felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Finally they were done, or that was what Luna told herself.
Part III
Driving had always been good for Luna; she always found the answers that she was looking for and now wasn’t any different. She loved it and, unlike most people, it never got on her nerves, quite the opposite. Driving always relaxed.
Taking a deep breath, Luna smiled in spite of herself; she couldn’t believe she felt this free. She had almost forgotten how it felt to be able to control your life, your actions, without being manipulated by others.
The more she drove, the more relaxed Luna felt and, slowly, the tension and stress she had been suffering over the last months went droning away, leaving just nothing.
Reaching blindly, she switched the radio on and a song sounded through the speakers, and Luna lost herself in the text of the song, leaving the melody to grab a hold of her heart, mind and soul.
Memories came floating without warning. Sweet words whispered in candlelight…soft music playing…a slow dance…the promise of eternal love…
It’s a beautiful day
Sky falls, you feel like
It’s a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
Secrets…lies…betrayal…humiliation…pain…anger…sorrow…loneliness…helplessness…desperation
It was a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
Beautiful day
Tears fell unrestrained, wiping away the memories, sweeping out every single one, feeling wrapped around them, as if they were a furious torrent, making its way through rocks, leaving in their path just an empty hollow and a secret wish.
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
What you don’t know you can feel it somehow
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
Don’t need it now
Luna took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Was a beautiful day…
The sound of a horn, followed by flashing lights caused Luna gasped aloud, abruptly turning the steering wheel, with a sudden jerk when she found herself about to crash into a huge truck that was driving in the opposite direction.
Cursing under her breath, she gripped the steering wheel with both hands, her knuckles white under the fierce pressure, trying to keep control over the car before it went off the road.
Miraculously, Luna got the Mercedes under control, avoiding spinning around but she ended up crashing the car against the rail guard.
The inertia plunged her entire torso forward fast and, without thinking, Luna let go of the steering wheel and encircled her belly, protecting the baby from the imminent impact. The air bag jumped out of its’ place, bumping her face and Luna yelped in surprise and fear.
Dizzy after the blow she received by the security device, Luna pressed her right hand against her chest, feeling her heart racing wildly. Adrenaline was pumping through her veins and she broke into a cold sweat.
Forcing the air through her lungs, Luna leaned backwards in her seat. She closed her eyes, absently caressing her belly with shaky hands when she felt the baby moving within.
Fresh tears started spilling unrestrained as she tried to regain some control, whispering soothing words just for the baby to hear.
The sound of scratching wheels caused Luna to snap her eyes open, watching someone approaching through her blurry vision. A ringing buzz was painfully piercing her ears and she fought to keep her eyes open.
“Luna!”
She blinked fast, swallowing forcefully when a voice called her name. Her heart was beating faster and faster and she started to force the air through her lungs. They felt like they were burning from the inside out.
“Luna!!” Valentino jumped out of his car, running like hell and yanked the door of the Mercedes open. “Luna? Luna you okay, baby?” Val looked frantically, all over her body, watching for any sign of a wound.
Her forehead was slightly red and her face was stricken with tears. Gently, Val cupped her face, turned it so Luna looked at him.
“Valentino…” Luna whimpered breathlessly as she gasped for air.
“Hey, baby, it’s okay, I’m here, Luna. Everything’s gonna be okay.” Val blurted, carefully reaching around Luna so he could remove the seat belt, getting her out of the car. Not an easy task with just one hand being completely useful. “Just keep breathing, Luna, I’ll get you out of here, baby. Just keep breathing.”
Val gritted his teeth as he lifted his gaze and realized that the passenger’s door was smashed and it couldn’t be opened.
Another car stopped right behind Luna’s car. “Hey, man, what happened?” A male voice called, joining them.
“Have you got a cell phone?” Val asked, trying to release the seatbelt from its anchor.
“Yeah!” The man answered, pulling it out.
“Call 911, she’s five months pregnant and has arrhythmia.” Val did his best to keep his voice even, even though he was shaking inside. He didn’t want to scare Luna more.
“Fuck!” The man did as told, glancing at Luna from the corner of his eye.
Luna started panting, gasping for air. She couldn’t see to breathe normally as a sharp pinch stabbed her lower belly.
“Val!” Luna yelped, wincing, blindly gripping Val’s forearm, digging her nails. “The baby!!” She cried out, grabbing her belly with her other hand.
“The baby is okay, Luna, everything is okay. Keep breathing, please, Luna. You gotta breathe. The ambulance is coming.”
Luna started crying louder, sobbing. Her chest hurt and she felt as if someone was mercilessly twitching a knife in her heart. The pain slid down fast along her left arm, causing it to feel almost numb.
“Here, use this to cut it.” The man handed Val a pocked knife and Val cut the seat belt with it.
“Okay, baby, now let’s get you out of the car, okay?” Val whispered, stroking Luna’s hair and wiping her tears with his thumb. Luna was terrified. “Everything will be fine, you’ll see.”
All Luna could think about was her baby even though the pain in her chest was so unbearable that Luna gritted her teeth, shutting her eyes. That was the last thing she felt before she lost consciousness.
¡Coño, coño, coño! Val chanted silently as he shoved down the now deflated air bag, so he had enough room to help Luna out of the car.
The other man brought a blanket, spreading it. Val picked up Luna’s limp body and placed her onto the blanket. Without missing a beat Val started mouth to mouth resuscitation while the man kept counting aloud, alternating it with the cardiac massage he had been taught.
The man grabbed Luna’s wrist and applied a little pressure, focusing all his senses to feel her heartbeat. “Her pulse is weak but she’s breathing, man.” The man grinned a little. “You saved her life!”
Val heard the sound of the ambulance, coming closer and closer and sighed heavily, closing his eyes for a second. He could feel his own adrenaline pounding furiously in the rhythm of his heartbeats.
“Shit!” The man gasped and Val’s eyes snapped open. “Look at that, man.”
Glancing down, Val wanted to die when he saw Luna’s white cotton pants drenched in blood. No, NO, NO! His eyes blurred with tears as Val went motionless for a second. If he wouldn’t have been on his knees he would had sunk down. Oh, please, God, no! Not the baby, please! Val pulled Luna to him and closed his eyes, praying silently.
————–
Extract Song: “Beautiful Day”
Artist: U2
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything. I’m not making money and no damage has been done.
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