Page 125 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

“But unless a guy is openly defiant – unless he refuses to pay and threatens to make trouble – don’t burn down his fuckin’shop. Don’t take his livelihood away from him. Otherwise, how the fuck is he gonna pay us?

“Butyou…youwere openly defiant,” Vicari said, wagging his finger at me. “So what the fuck am I supposed to do withyou?”

“Maybe don’t make me work with Rocco anymore,” I suggested.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” he said, with that cold laugh that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m going to cut you some slackthistime because you’re gonna be my son-in-law. But this time and this time only.

“You’re gonna go out with Rocco again tomorrow, and you’re gonna follow his orders. No more of this bullshit. No more making him look bad in front of his men. Got it?”

“I have one question.”

Vicari leaned back in his chair and snorted in exasperation. “What.”

“Once I marry your daughter, am I going to be one of Rocco’s thugs? You just want me to be one of those meatheads who works for him?”

“Two of those ‘meatheads’ are my sons-in-law,” Vicari reminded me.

I tried a little bit of flattery. “Your older daughters seemed pretty smart from what I saw of them yesterday at dinner. But I don’t know about their taste in men.”

“Neither do I.” Vicari chuckled, and this time he actually seemed amused. “In answer to your question: no, I got bigger things in mind for you than being one of Rocco’s flunkies. But first you gotta learn the territory. You see how it all works.Thenwe talk. Got it?”

I knew he was letting me off the hook and that I should get out while the getting was good.

“Got it,” I agreed.

“Good. Now get the fuck out of here.”

I stood up and started for the door –

“And don’t be late for dinner,” he ordered. “I want you to spend more time with Isabella.”

“Yes, sir,” I said and left the room as fast as my feet would take me.

40

Caterina

It took a while before Alessandra said it was okay for me to leave.

I assumed she had to pay the guy in Sicily, but she wouldn’t tell me for sure – just that we had to wait.

I was a nervous wreck as I packed. Niccolo still hadn’t come home from Sicily, and I was hoping I could be gone before he arrived.

Then the big moment arrived.

Alessandra came to get me just after 3PM.

“You ready?” she asked with a sympathetic smile.

I nodded, trying to look braver than I felt – but I had never been more scared in my entire life.

As I lugged my battered suitcase down the hall, Alessandra walked beside me, giving me advice.

“You’ll be fine – just keep your money safe from pickpockets. But if something happens, call me. You memorized my cell number, just in case?”

“Yes,” I said nervously.

“Good.” She put a reassuring hand on my arm. “It’s going to be okay. It’s all going to work out just fine.”

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