Page 209 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

Whoknewthere was something terrible in the next room and knew it might destroy her…

But was still trying to build up the courage to confront the unthinkable.

Ludavica’s expression confirmed it.

She was practically begging me with her eyes:

Please don’t say anything – PLEASE.

I immediately backed off. “Why – what doyouknow?”

“Papa said he embezzled a bunch of money and ran off,” Isabella said quietly, her face still pale.

“Yeah… that’s what I heard from Rocco,” I muttered. “That he ran off. But your dad’s trying to find him.”

Color flooded back into Isabella’s face.

Ludavica looked grateful.

Paolo just seemed confused.

But Isabella’s voice was still sadly haunting as she said, “I hope Papa never finds him.”

Too late,I thought, but I kept that to myself.

After the grim detour about Eliseo Marconi, things gradually went back to normal.

After eating lunch, we walked around. The girls went into lots of clothing stores andoohedandaahedover the outfits.

“You know your father would never let you wear any of these,” I cautioned.

“I know, but I can look,” Isabella said grumpily.

Two hours after we arrived, Paolo got a text from Cat.

“Your lady friend, boss,” he said, holding the phone out to me. “She’s at someplace called the Minerva.”

I’m at the Hotel Minerva. Room 404.

I used Google Maps to find it.

It was only seven blocks away and a few blocks north, right on the seaside.

“Alright, thanks,” I said as I handed the phone back to Paolo.

“I’ll see you in the lobby in – how about four hours?” he said.

“Make it five.”

“Oooooooh, somebody’s got stamina,” Ludavica smirked.

I shot her a look likeSTOP.

“Have fun with your girlfriend,” Isabella teased me.

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

“Your mistress, then.”

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