“In the bank.”
“Okay. But you let me handle it, okay.”
“Okay,” she nodded quickly, and rested her head on his shoulder.
“Good,” he paused. “You hungry?”
“Last night’s dinner from La Grenouille?” she smiled.
“No.” He laughed. “I noticed that you have food in your house.”
“I do. I’m doing something new; I cook these days.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah … wow,” she said, pumping her fist weakly.
Geno stood up. “Why don’t you relax, and I’ll make us some breakfast.”
Valencia smiled, remembering those delicious breakfasts that he used to cook and serve to her in bed.
“I’m going to take a shower and change clothes,” she said and stood up.
Geno got up and watched her walk away. Want some company? Was what he wanted to ask her. “You want coffee?” he asked instead.
“Please,” she said, disappearing into her room.
Now that they had finished their bacon and cheese omelet breakfast, Geno drove Valencia to the bank to get the money. Once that was secured, he drove her back to the house to wait. It wasn’t long after they got there that the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get that,” Geno said and stood up.
“You expecting somebody?”
“Yes,” he said, and opened the door. “What’s up, X?” he asked; and then he saw the other person. “Money! What’s up?”
“Came to see what you got—” Marvin began as he came through the door, and then he saw Valencia. “What kind of mess you got yourself into?”
“Valencia DeVerão, this is Xavier Assante and Marvin Simmons.”
“Good to meet you both,” Valencia said politely, and then she looked at Geno. “Can I talk to you for a minute, please?”
“Sure,” Geno said, leading her by the hand into her bedroom, and closing the door.
“That’s one fine mess he’s got himself into,” Marvin said, then sat down.
“Truly,” Xavier said, and joined him.
“Who are those men and what are they doing here?” Valencia asked as soon as she closed the door.
“You said you were gonna let me handle this, right?”
“Right.”
“Well … this is me handling it.”
Valencia looked at him. He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.
“Do you trust me?”