Page 239 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

Isabella extended a hand to shake.

I justknewthat Cat was going to slap it away, or cuss her out, orsomething–

But instead, she took Isabella’s hand.

Hesitantly, but she took it…

And shook it limply before letting go.

Cat looked like she was trying hard not to cry.

I felt fucking awful –

And I took it out on Isabella.

“WHYare youHERE?”

“Don’t talk to her like that,” Ludavica snapped.

I turned on hernext. “I don’t remember asking you a goddamn – ”

“They’re here, Valentino,” Isabella whispered, her voice panicked. “My father’s men – they’re here.”

My heart stopped in my chest.

“Where?” I asked hoarsely.

“I saw one of them in the crowd, so Lu and I slipped away.”

“How did you know where to come?!”

“Paolo mentioned the hotel name, remember?”

She was right.

You got a text, boss. She’s at the Locanda dell’Ortigia.

“What do we do?” Isabella asked, frightened.

SHIT.

I turned to Cat. “You’ve got to leave. Get a taxi and go somewhere –anywherebut here – but you have to leave NOW.”

“I can’t leave my things!” Cat cried out. “That’s all I have!”

I wanted to say,Except for your fucking LIFE, which you’re going to lose if you don’t LISTEN to me!

But I didn’t want her to panic, so I said, “Babe, you have to trust me – ”

“She’s got a couple of minutes,” Isabella interrupted. “My father’s men are looking on the other side of the island. I doubt they’re searching over here yet.”

“But – ”

“You still need to change,” Isabella said as she pointed at my shirt. “If you show up wearingthat,my father will know the difference.”

Goddamn it!

The plan was falling apart.

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