It was a fucking mess.

Valentino watched from the sidelines with a strange mix of admiration and satisfaction as V pummeled Red into a bloody pulp. He’d always known something was off about Jared — Red — and now it was clear he’d been right all along. But just as V was about to deliver another devastating blow, Kai showed up, his elder brother, trying to put a stop to the chaos.

“Man, stop it. Jared’s still our fucking friend,” Kai said, slipping an arm around V’s shoulder in a weak attempt to hold him back.

But V wasn’t having it. He shoved Kai off and kept raining down punches. Red, unbelievably, was laughing through the pain. The sheer audacity of that shithead made Valentino smirk.

“I don’t have a friend who drugs my fucking sister just so he can do whatever the hell he wants with her,” V spat, grabbing Red by the collar.

Valentino’s mind flashed back to the day V had beaten up some guy near death just for daring to look at his “precious kitten.” He’d even sent the photo to Red — a show off. Valentino knew exactly where Jared had taken you that night because he’d been paying off the club staff to keep an eye on him. The footage was crystal clear: Jared carrying you into one of the private rooms and from what he can see, barely conscious.

“You find this amusing, Valentino? Call the cops now,” Kai snapped, breaking Valentino out of his thoughts.

“Uh… yeah,” Valentino said lazily, pulling out his phone and dialing. He wouldn’t have done it if Kai hadn’t ordered him to. Honestly, Kai was ruining all the fun. Valentino was eager to see if V would end up killing Jared.

Why?

Because Valentino was the guy you’d been kissing in that Instagram post you published— the one nobody recognized. Not even Kai. Which also became the reason Red drugged you in the first place.

That was why Valentino had joined the club in the first place. He was close to telling everyone that he is your boyfriend…not yet. And hanging out with your older brother V was part of his plan to get on his good side.

Red was the ex. How dare he drug you and take you to one of the club’s rooms?

Before long, the police arrived, finally pulling V away from what was almost murder. Red — a cold, calculating look that sent a chill down his spine.

Does he know it was me who told V? Valentino wondered. Red was dragged out by the cops, and V went to the sink to splash cold water on his face. “Fucking lunatic,” he muttered.

“I’ve always had a bad feeling about Jared,” Valentino said, breaking the silence, earning a sharp glare from Kai.

“What? It’s true. So, what now, V?” Valentino asked.

V swallowed hard. “He’s going to jail. He should.” It was a firm declaration. “Maybe even pay some thugs to finish him off.”

“Woah there, V. He was still your friend. Doesn’t that mean anything?” Kai protested. “We’re—”

“If you don’t shut your mouth, Kai, I’ll pull your tongue out,” V warned coldly. “If Valentino hadn’t told me, my sister could’ve been hurt” V said, anger still simmering.

“You can always count on me, V,” Valentino promised, feeling the weight of being accepted into your brother’s inner circle. But Kai knew better. Valentino might seem naïve and pathetic, but he not.

V stomped on the broken glass littering the kitchen floor as he left. “I’m going to see my kitten,”

Kai turned to Valentino. “Why are you messing with Red?”

“Me?” Valentino scoffed. “He brought it on himself. Livia and he were done. And what did he do? Drugged her, took them to a room. Kai, if you think Jared’s still a good friend, you’re dumb.” Valentino brushed past him and left.

Kai stood still, conflicted.

Valentino pulled out his phone and checked the tracker he’d secretly planted. You were out, sitting in some bistro. He headed drove straight to you, then sliding smoothly into the seat beside you.

“How are you?” he asked gently, patting your back. “Decided to have some alone time after everything that’s happened? Jared’s probably going to jail, Livia. He’s not safe to be around.” He smiled softly, eyes warm. “Also means…we can officially be together.”