Page 250 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

“Yes,”Niccolo said grimly.“Massimo threw him off the bell tower.”

“Jesus Christ…”

My mind raced as I tried to process everything I’d heard.

That morning, while I was in Ortigia, Massimo had led an assault on the Isle of San Michele – a cemetery island just off the coast of Venice. He’d been trying to rescue the Widow’s granddaughter, who had been kidnapped by Aurelio and some mercenaries.

Massimo, Adriano, Lars, and 20 of our guys had gone in.

Only a handful had walked out…

And now Massimo might not make it, either.

“I’m coming to Venice,” I said.

“No you’re not,” Don Vicari said.

He was sitting across the table, listening in on the call.

“The fuck I’m not,” I snarled at him.

He just narrowed his eyes. “You’re not leaving this house until after the wedding.”

“LOOK – ”

“Valentino,”Niccolo interrupted,“listen to me. There’s nothing you can do here. I’ll call you every hour if you want, I swear – but we NEED Don Vicari’s help right now. Fausto is still out there, and I’m sure he’s lost his mind over what happened to Aurelio. He’s not going to fight with the gloves on anymore, and it’s going to get ugly. We need Don Vicari’s forces more than ever. Do you understand?”

“But – ”

“We’ll see you at the wedding – Massimo, too. It will all be fine, I promise. But until then, do whatever Don Vicari tells you to. Do I make myself clear?”

I glared at Vicari hatefully, but I mumbled, “…yes.”

“Good.”Niccolo paused.“I understand there was some sort of… trouble earlier?”

“It’s fine,” I muttered.

“Then why wasn’t I able to reach you?”

“I’ll tell you at the wedding,” I said acidly.

Nic knew I was telling him to fuck off; given the situation, though, he couldn’t do anything but take it.

“…fine. We’ll talk then. Don Vicari, thank you for protecting my brother.”

“Hmph,” Vicari grunted. “He has a habit of putting himself in harm’s way.”

“It’s an inherited trait in our family. But both my brother Dario and I greatly appreciate your help with – ”

“Is Alessandra there?” I interrupted.

“I was speaking with Don Vicari,”Niccolo said coldly.

“Yeah, I heard,” I snapped. “Is Alessandra there?”

“Yes, but – ”

“Put her on.”

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