Page 236 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

Let’s hope she’s right about the rest of it, too.

I wrestled the body into one half of the suitcase and tucked his arms, legs, and head inside until he was in a fetal position.

His wallet was on the floor with his keys, right where I’d tossed them earlier.

I took everything out – especially his driver’s license and credit cards – and wiped down the wallet and keys before tossing them in the suitcase with him.

I supposed if Ireallywanted to make sure they couldn’t identify him, I’d pull out his teeth and cut off his fingertips…

But I wasn’t gonna bethathardcore about it.

If I got lucky, it would be months before he was found.

That would be enough.

I wiped down the pistol and tossed it in.

Then I pulled his cell phone out of my pocket and turned it off.

I had no idea how to get the battery out, so I just hit the screen against the corner of the sink until it shattered, then bent the phone completely out of shape. I wiped it down and threw it in with the body.

Then I zipped the suitcase and struggled to get it upright.

It was going to be a shitshow getting this thing down the stairs…

But I was thankful I’d talked it out with Isabella.

At least I wouldn’t have to doWeekend at Bernie’swith a body that was stiff as a board.

“What do we do now?” Caterina whispered.

“We wait.”

I sat on the bed and held her in my arms.

While I did, I told her what I needed for the distraction.

“Can you do that?” I asked.

“I – I think so. But what happens after you get rid of him?”

“You’ve got to get out of Ortigia. Go back to Ragusa or Cefalù.”

“How do I get in touch with you?”

“Talk to Alessandra. I’ll call her, too – she can be our go-between.”

Cat looked at me in a panic. “This is the last time I’m going to see you, isn’t it?”

“No,” I insisted, but I couldn’t be sure.

I had no idea if I was even going tosurvivethis.

If Don Vicari found out what I had done…

Caterina buried her face in my chest. “I can’t lose you! Ican’t!”

“You won’t,” I whispered as I stroked her hair. “We’ll figure something out. I promise.”

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