Page 123 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

She was no longer on the phone, and she looked positively giddy.

“It’s all set!” she said.

“How much did he want?” I asked worriedly.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Alessandra – ”

“I saiddon’t worry about it.” She sat down on the bed next to me and took my hands in hers. “I can afford it, and I’m happy to help.”

“Alessandra – ”

“You were my only friend when I came here. You were the first person in this house who showed merealkindness. The others – Massimo, Lars, Roberto – were nice to me because they felt sorry for me, but they still followed Dario’s orders and kept me under lock and key. Theybecameimportant to me, eventually – but you were my friend when there was nothing in it for you, just because you’re good and kind. Please– let me repay the favor.Please.”

My eyes welled up, and I hugged her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Just make me one promise.”

“What?”

“Do whatever you have to do to get Valentino back.”

“What if he reallydoesn’twant me?” I moaned.

She laughed. “I know him well enough to know better.”

“But whatif?”

“Then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I know this is scary, but this is your one chance to get him back – and you deserve a shot at happiness. Now – go to Sicily and claim your man.”

I nodded, tears in my eyes, and hugged her again.

39

Valentino

It was a long drive back to Don Vicari’s. I dreaded what would happen the entire way.

Rocco had probably already let his father know what happened in Pozzallo…

And Don Vicari was probably going to have something to say about it.

I was right on both counts.

When Paolo pulled up to the compound, a foot soldier was waiting for me by the side of the gravel drive. “The Don wants to see you.”

Great.

Paolo gave me an uneasy half-smile –Good luck, bud –and I followed the foot soldier into the house.

He took me to a door at the far end of the house and knocked.

“Come in,” said a gruff voice.

The foot soldier gestured –Go in –then walked off.

I entered a small study that was white like all the other rooms in the house.

---