“Somebody is blackmailing me,” she said, and told Geno the story.
“But you didn’t kill him, right?” Geno asked when Valencia had finished her story.
She shook her head and said, “No.”
After one last look, Geno put the pictures on the coffee table and sat back. “So, let me make sure that I understand this. You were being blackmailed by the dead guy, and now somebody else is trying to blackmail you with these pictures.”
Valencia nodded.
“What was the first guy blackmailing you about?” Geno asked, but the phone Valencia received with the pictures rang before she could answer. Since she wasn’t ready to answer that question, she snatched the phone up from the coffee table and answered it. But Valencia knew that it was a question that had to be answered.
“Put it on speaker,” Geno said quickly.
“Hello.”
“Valencia DeVerão.”
“Who is this?”
“Fifty thousand dollars or the police and the media get those pictures. I’ll be in touch with instructions,” the caller said and ended the call.
The phone slipped out of Valencia’s hand, she looked at Geno, the shaking returned, and she began to cry again. He took her in his arms.
“Shhh. It’s going to be alright. Nobody’s gonna hurt you as long as I’m here,” Geno said again to reassure her.
“What am I gonna do??
? she managed through her tears.
“Shhh. It’s gonna be alright, Vee. You let me worry about this now. Nobody will ever hurt you as long as I’m here.”
Geno sat on the couch with Valencia, holding her until they had both fallen asleep. When he woke up the following morning, she was still asleep. Valencia looked so peaceful. Like the events of the night before had faded away. He caressed her face, remembering all the times that he’d stared at her while she slept, admiring her deep-set eyes, the slope of her nose, and her full lips. Geno kissed her lips gently, and then he picked Valencia up and carried her into her bedroom.
Now that he had her in bed, Geno stood there for a few seconds looking at her before he left the room, gently closing the door behind him. Once he had checked his gun, Geno went outside and had a look around to see if he saw anything that was obviously suspicious, before going back inside. He went into the kitchen and once he found the coffee, he made himself some. While the coffee brewed, Geno took out his phone.
“This better be important, Geno,” Xavier said when he answered.
“Sorry to wake you up, but I need your help, and Carla’s too,” he said and explained the situation.
“Don’t worry, Geno, we got you,” Xavier said, as he and Carla got out of bed.
“Thanks.”
It was after nine when Valencia woke up. She sat up in bed, yawned, stretched, and felt so peaceful. But once she exhaled, the events of the last evening came rushing back. The police had questioned her about a murder, and she was being blackmailed. Valencia got out of bed and came out of her room to find Geno sipping coffee in her living room.
“Good morning,” he said.
“Morning,” she forced a smile and sat down next to him.
“You okay?”
“No. I was questioned by the police, and I’m being blackmailed.” Valencia moved closer. “No, I’m not okay. What am I gonna do, Geno?”
“What do you want to do?”
“What choice do I have? I’m gonna pay him.”
“Do you have fifty thousand dollars?”