Page 317 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

Rachel grumbled… then put away the Glock.

“Good,” the old lady said. “Good.”

120

Iwatched in amazement as the old woman hobbled up the steps to the platform.

Rocco tried to help her, but she angrily swatted his hand away.

She walked over to Isabella –

Who was shaking all over.

I swear, she seemed more frightened than when her father was pointing a gun at her.

Probably because, of all the people in the world she didn’t want to disappoint…

It was her great-grandmother.

But the old lady smiled at her kindly, nodded, and then turned around to face her grandson.

“As you know, I had an arranged marriage, too,” she said to Don Vicari. “I was only 18 on my wedding day.

“I was a good wife to your grandfather. I gave him six children, and I was faithful to him all my life. But I never loved him.

“Icameto love him, in a way, I suppose… but I loved someone else.

“A girl from my village. Her name was Constantina.”

There was a quiet gasp from Rocco and the foot soldiers.

Don Vicari just stared up at her, bewildered.

“Back in those days, our feelings for each other were considered aninfamia.My father would have killed us both if he knew.” The old lady glared at her grandson. “It seems not much has changed.

“The night before my wedding – in this very chapel – Constantina begged me not to go through with it. She wanted me to run away with her. I refused because I was frightened of what would happen to us… and I married your grandfather the next day.

“Two weeks later, Constantina hung herself.”

Tears welled up in the old lady’s eyes and trickled down her wrinkled cheeks.

Isabella sobbed, and she and Ludavica clutched each other even more tightly.

The old lady’s pained expression turned to rage. “So I will bedamnedif I let you, or any other man, take away my great-granddaughter’s happiness. I have suffered enough for this family – and I willnotlet her, or the woman she loves, suffer the same fate as the girl who lovedme,and who I was too cowardly to save.”

At this, the old woman reached into her black sleeve –

And pulled out astilettoblade, thin and wickedly sharp.

I froze in shock, unsure of what she was going to do –

When she raked the tip across the palm of her hand, opening up a deep cut.

As blood poured down her fingers onto the floor of the chapel, she reached out and took Isabella’s hand.

“Sangre di mi sangre,”she said loudly.

Then she put her bloody hand on Ludavica’s.

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