Page 189 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

“…Paolo?” Don Vicari asked, slightly confused.

“Molinari,” Rocco spoke up, then dropped his eyes quickly when his father glared at him. “He’s been driving Valentino around.”

“So he was in on your little scam,” Vicari said to me angrily.

Shit.

“He just dropped me off,” I said. “He didn’t know about the thing with Rocco. I met him at the pick-up point. He never knew I was out drinking.”

“What was the pick-up point?” Vicari asked.

He was trying to catch me in a lie –

But I was ready for him.

“That big church in Ragusa,” I said. “The Duomo.”

Vicari didn’t seem 100% satisfied, but he didn’t seem as suspicious anymore, either.

“You could tell Isabella it’s a wedding gift from you,” I suggested, trying to get off the topic of Paolo. “I’m sure she’d love it.”

Vicari stared at me for another moment, like he was trying to see through me –

And then he said, “I have something to show you. Come with me.”

Great.

As we walked out of the study, Rocco started to follow us –

“Not you,” Vicari said contemptuously. “You stay here. Or better yet, go back home to your wife.”

Rocco blushed a deep shade of crimson and stared at the floor as we left.

As much as I hated the guy, I pitied him.

He was exactly what Ididn’twant to end up being:

A dog on a leash, with Don Vicari holding the other end.

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Don Vicari was silent as we walked out the back of the house.

Given the pile of shit I’d just talked myself out of, I kept my mouth shut so I didn’t accidentally step back in it.

Every foot soldier we passed bowed their head in respect.

All of them said either“Padrone”or“Don Vicari.”

He didn’t even acknowledge them.

We passed through the gardens, then headed for the rugged hills around the property.

That’s when I realized where we were headed.

The barn.

The one that the foot soldier had told me,It is not for you.

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