Page 200 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

“We already know,” Isabella informed him from the backseat.

Paolo looked around in bug-eyed terror. “Youdo?!”

“Yes.” Then Isabella looked at me. “Is that her name? Caterina?”

“Yeah,” I said uncomfortably.

It was a little weird talking to your future wife about the girl you were banging.

“That’s a pretty name,” Isabella said sweetly.

“Yeah,” I said lamely.

What was I supposed to say?

Thank you?

I agree?

Instead, I focused on Paolo. “Your phone.”

Paolo was sweating now. “This is a bad idea.”

“Now you know why you got your promotion.”

He glared at me –

But he got distracted when Isabella said, “We can keep a secret.”

Paolo looked at them in the rearview mirror, then shook his head and swore under his breath.

“PHONE,” I said.

He pulled it out and slapped it into my palm.

“Pull off the road up ahead,” I ordered him.

“Why?”

I glared at him. “So I can talk to heroutsidethe car.”

“What, we don’t get to listen to your conversation with your girlfriend?” Isabella teased.

“She’s not my girlfriend. And no, youdon’t.”

“Awww,” Ludavica complained playfully.

“Not your girlfriend?!” Isabella exclaimed. She was having more fun than I’d ever seen before. “What is she, then – your mistress?”

“I think she’s a fuck buddy,” Ludavica said, which made Isabella gasp –

And then both girls collapsed into gales of laughter.

I glared at them in the rearview mirror, then looked at Paolo. “Pull over –now.”

Once I was outside the SUV – and had shut the door on the girls’ playful taunts and Paolo’s obvious panic – I dialed Caterina.

“…hello?”she answered warily.

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