James.
There was no way to describe how I felt the moment I saw Becca in the state she was in. I wanted to kill Chad… but no matter how much I wanted to, I knew she needed me more than I needed vengeance.
I didn't condone hurting women, and even when Allison used to strike me and get physical with me when she was drunk, I never hit her.
Even though there were many times when I wanted to.
To hit a woman was a boyish thing to do.
Pacing around my office, I tried to collect my thoughts. I hadn't wanted to come in today to sort things out at work, but Becca made it clear she wouldn't allow me to miss work because of her.
The damn woman was too kind for the people of this world, and I wished I could take her away from the cruelty and show her the life she deserved.
I was conflicted, though. This was only supposed to be a casual, fun thing, and instead it was turning into something else. It was becoming more, and I wasn't even trying to make it that way, but I couldn't stop being around her.
Every moment I was away from her, she clouded my thoughts and drove me towards insanity. Like a drug that I was hooked on—I needed another fix.
Hearing her talk to her father, though, struck something deep inside me.
She was planning to leave earlier than expected, and the moment I heard the conversation, I felt my heart clench at the idea.
I didn't want her to go. I didn't want to know she left, and there was no telling if I would see her again. So when I asked her to stay, my mind started spinning.
“F*ck!" I yelled to no one as I stood staring out the window. “What am I doing?"
Running my hands through my hair, I let them slide down my face as I groaned in frustration. Until that prick got what he deserved, I would never be able to get anything done.
Pulling out my phone, I called Bennet, the head of my security teams. My orders were explicit to him that morning. I wanted to know where Chad was, because until I sorted him out, I couldn't focus on getting Becca to stay.
“Yes, Mr. Valentino?" Bennet said through the phone. He already knew what I wanted.
“Well… did you find him?" I snapped.
It wasn't his fault I was angry, and I wasn't trying to take it out on him.
But I wanted this f*cker found sooner rather than later.
“Yes, sir. He is currently staying at The Setai. My men have eyes on him now. It seems he is drinking on the beach in a lounge chair. Shall we bring him to you?"
“No," I replied quickly. “I want you to have him go to his room. I will be there shortly, but be discreet. I don't want him to know I'm coming."
“Yes, sir. I will make sure it happens," Bennet replied, and I had no doubt that he would.
There was a reason I hired Bennet. He was ex-special forces and a man that came with high regards from a few military men I knew. Back in the day, he was the one you called when things went wrong.
He fixed things. His nickname, The Handyman.
Shoving my phone into my pocket, I made my way towards the elevators, not bothering to tell Evette what I was doing. She had worked with me long enough to know when I was on a mission, there was no point in stopping me.
Just move along and reschedule my appointments.
It was the one thing I liked about her—she rarely asked questions.
Exiting the building, I saw my driver standing with the door open, waiting for me to enter.
“Where to, sir?"
“The Setai," I replied before he closed the door.
I had a problem to deal with, and it was one I was looking forward to.
*******
Pulling up to The Setai, I clenched my hands and took a deep breath. The owner was very familiar with who I was and actually held a gala here once a year to celebrate the rich and famous of Miami.
My mind was clear about what I was about to do. I told Becca I wouldn't, but there was no way I could let this go.
Stepping from the car, I made my way inside. Instantly, faces recognized me, and the general manager came out to greet me.
“Mr. Valentino! It's wonderful to see you again. Were you looking to stay?"
“No, Tom. I am taking care of something quickly. However, it may be good if you look into having one of your guests removed from this hotel," I replied, walking past him and heading towards the elevator. Bennet already informed me of what floor the little prick was on, and I knew he would be waiting for me.
As soon as I reached the floor, Bennet greeted me at the open doors. “He is inside, sir."
“Good." Bennet handed me a key card, and I opened the door, walking inside.
Chad's eyes met mine and widened in surprise. “What the f*ck are you doing in my room?"
“Shut the f*ck up and sit down, boy, before you make things worse for yourself."
There was no edge of reason with me at the moment, and if Chad continued the way he was, he was going to find himself in the hospital.
“Who the f*ck do you think you are, old man? Do you know who I am?"
Laughter escaped me as I watched him try to act big and bad. Chad stood, jaw clenched, with his fists balled as if he was actually going to do something to me.
“No, do you know who the f*ck I am?" I snapped. “You have no influence down here, boy. This is Miami, not New York. If you're not careful, you will find yourself in a very bad position."
Hesitating, Chad seemed to carefully weigh my words as I watched his shoulders slightly relax. “What do you want?"
“I want to talk to you about coming to my house and attacking Becca."
Laughter escaped Chad at my comment. “Is that what that bitch told you? She invited me there, and I didn't attack her. She asked for—"
Fury filled me as I cleared the spot between us and punched him in his face. My grip on his throat as I stared down at him waning as Becca's pleading voice to let it go was the only thing stopping me from beating him within an inch of his life.
“Don't you dare f*cking talk about her like that. I saw you on the f*cking cameras, Chad. How would your daddy and those buddies of yours in New York like to see that video?"
“What–I didn't do shit!" he stammered, trying to cover for himself.
“That's bullshit, and you know it. I want you gone, Chad. I want you out of my f*cking city, and I want it done tonight. If you don't go, there are going to be consequences."
It wasn't a threat. It was a solid promise that if he didn't leave, I had no problem making him disappear. I may have been kind and gentle to Becca. I may have been a respectable businessman to others. Deep down, though, I had a wild side to me that was uncontrollable.
I would destroy Chad and make it look like an accident if I had to.
“Why the f*ck do you care about what happens to that girl, anyway?"
The question brought recognition to me. Why did I care?
Oh, perhaps it was because I cared about her more than I was willing to admit.
“That's not your business. You need to get the f*ck out of my city."
Shoving him, I stepped back and fixed my suit as I watched Chad stumble over his own feet. He wasn't as big and bad as he thought, and the fact he was trying to play this off annoyed me.
“You know… Tally said she thought Becca was seeing someone, and she told people she thought you were f*cking one of her friends." Chad laughed, “It's you, isn't it?"
Sneering at him, I shook my head. “No, it's not. However, you would be dead if she was."
The only reason he wasn't dead right now was because of Becca. She would know right away I had something to do with it, and I would lose her forever.
“Whatever… you're f*cking banging her aren't you?! Holy shit… I can't wait to tell Tally. She is going to flip hearing her supposed best friend is f*cking her father."
Glancing towards Bennet, I raised a brow, and Bennet knew exactly what I wanted to happen. I tried to play it calm. I tried to do as Becca asked, but now this little shit was bringing Tally into it… it seemed he needed a lesson.
Bennet's approach to Chad caused Chad to try and bolt. However, Bennet was skilled and within two seconds, Chad was within his hands, restrained.
“You know… I tried to give you an easy way out," I said as I took my suit jacket off and laid it neatly on the back of the sofa. “Yet, you just don't learn, do you?"
“Man, let me go!" he yelled. “I was just f*cking around. I know you wouldn't sleep with that stupid bitch. She is beneath you, and doesn't deserve anyone!"
Rolling up my sleeves, I shook my head and laughed. “Bennet, he just keeps digging himself a deeper hole, doesn't he?"
Bennet laughed at my comment, raising his brow but remaining silent. He knew very well how dark I could be, and this was amusement for him.
“Becca deserves the world, Chad. Something you never were going to give her. I think you will find it is you who is beneath her, you spoiled f*cking prick. So you leave me no choice but to show you what happens to pricks like you when you f*ck with those who rule and control the streets of Miami."
There was no stopping me once I started. Hit after hit, I made a point to show him how much he had affected Becca when he attacked her.
I didn't have to say anything to him after that point. The blows spoke volumes, and with every grunt, I hit him harder.
His blood may have coated my hands, but I'd leave him alive to learn his lesson.
If he didn't… well, there was no telling if he would live through another lesson.
I only prayed Becca wouldn't be angry with me in the end.