Page 122 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

“Are you sure you can arrange a meeting in the future?” she asked.

“YES. How many times do I have to say it?”

“HOW?” Alessandra snapped right back at him.

“I can’t go into specifics. You’ll just have to trust me.”

“You don’t want us to be able to identify you to the Vicaris,” Alessandra said drily.

“Ding ding ding,”he said sarcastically.“Give the lady a prize.”

Alessandra made a face. It was obvious she thought he was an asshole.

I did, too –

But if he could get me to Valentino…

“Tell us what Caterina needs to do.”

“She needs to get to Sicily as soon as possible. I don’t know how LONG I can guarantee a meeting.”

“How about tonight?”

I looked at Alessandra in shock. She ignored me.

“Perfect.”

“Should she fly into Palermo?”

“No. Fly into Catania – that’ll be closer to where Valentino will be.”

“What should she do when she gets there?”

“Take a taxi to a hotel. Keep your phone on and charged so I can reach you, day or night.”

“Alright, I’ll give her your number. She’ll text you when she knows her arrival time.”

“Fine. Look, I’m taking a big risk here. I could get whacked for this, so I’m expecting something big enough to make it worth my while.”

“Hold on,” Alessandra said. She switched the phone off speakerphone and told me, “I’ll be right back.”

“Alessandra – ”

“I’ll be right back,” she promised, then went out into the hall and closed the door behind her.

I sat there on my bed, feeling guilty that she was doing so much for me…

And that it sounded like it was going to cost her even more than what she’d already given me.

But none of that was helping me calm down, so I pulled out my phone, opened Google Maps, and typed in ‘Catania.’

It was a small city on the eastern coast of Sicily –

Farther away from Florence than I’d ever been in my life.

My heart started beating rapidly in my chest.

That’s when the door opened and Alessandra walked in.

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