Page 252 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

Then she said,“Okay. I will.”

“Thanks, Alessandra.”

“Do you want to speak to Niccolo again?”

“No,” I said decisively.

“Alright… well… goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

I hung up the call.

“Can I keep this?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“No,” Vicari said.

“Then I’m going to go take a shower,” I announced.

I got up and limped towards the door –

When Vicari said out of nowhere, “All that talk about ‘love.’”

I turned and looked at him.

My heart was beating faster; I was afraid he’d figured it out.

“What about it?” I asked.

He looked at me for a long moment in silence…

Then said contemptuously, “That shit is what makes you weak.”

If I could have killed him right then and there, I would have.

Instead, I just gave him aFuck yousmile. “Maybe so. But I don’t care if it does.”

And I turned away and walked out of the kitchen.

After my shower, it took me hours to fall asleep. I couldn’t stop worrying.

About Massimo…

About Caterina…

And that I might never see her again.

At least she was safe.

That was more than I could say for my brother.

87

When Don Vicari summoned me the next morning to his study, I couldn’t read his expression. It was completely blank.

“It’s your brother,” he said emotionlessly as he pressed ‘Speakerphone’ on the cell.

“…hello?” I asked, terror creeping up my spine.

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