Page 21 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

“We already know the address.”

Then he hung up.

Well, that wasn’t ominous atall.

Still, it was better than the two crazy people screaming at me from the other side of the bathroom door.

I came out, brushed past them, and hurriedly went into my room to pack. I threw everything I had into my suitcase andwaited out the screaming until a black Mercedes pulled up in the driveway.

Through the window, I could see a man in a black suit and tie get out of the car and head for the house.

When I lugged my suitcase to the front door, my father stepped in front of me. “If you go out there and get in that car, you’re never coming back in this house again. Do you understand me?”

I glared at him furiously.

Nonna never would have said that to me.

Nonna would have asked me please not to go, and I probably would have listened to her. But even if I didn’t, she would haveneverthreatened to cut me off.

All the years of my parents never supporting me –

Of criticizing me –

Of comparing me to my brothers and sisters –

Of calling me a slut –

All my resentment and quiet suffering came crashing down on me in one single moment.

“Gladly,” I snarled.

My father looked shocked. My mother gasped.

Then my father shook his head in disgust and stepped aside.

My parents at least had the good sense to be quiet when the mafia guy knocked on the door and I opened it.

“I’m ready,” I said.

He took my bag and headed for the car.

I followed him down the walkway, then looked back at my mother and father standing in the open door.

My father was glaring at me hatefully.

My mother looked both heartbroken and disgusted.

Then my father slammed the door shut.

In contrast, the guy in the black suit held the rear car door open for me.

With a heavy heart, I got in the Mercedes, and we drove away.

In the months to come, I Facetimed my little sister occasionally on my phone…

But that was the last time I ever saw my parents.

8

---