Page 301 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

I listened to creaking footsteps pass by. An old man’s voice muttered as he counted something.

“…eight thousand… nine thousand… good, it’s all there.”

He continued up the aisle.

Moments later, more footsteps followed. There was a screaming baby, followed by couples scolding older children to be quiet.

Eventually, I heardveryslow footsteps and a man’s impatient voice.

“Come on, Bisnonna… hurry it up…”

I began to hyperventilate.

What the hell am I doing here?!

What the hell was I thinking –

Interrupting a mafia wedding?!

THIS IS INSANE!

But I couldn’t back out now.

Idefinitelycouldn’t leave without being seen.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

And if Our Lady smiled on her wayward daughter…

Maybe Valentino could be mine once and for all.

108

Valentino

Ludavica emerged from the back seat of the last car.

She didnotlook happy – and I knew exactly why.

She and I were in the same boat:

Neither of us was going to get to marry the woman we loved.

“Where’s Isabella?” I asked.

Ludavica gestured towards the car. “Waiting for you to go inside.”

“Why?”

She looked at me like I was stupid. “Because you’re not supposed to see the bride until she gets to the altar.”

“Oh… right.”

The bride.

Knowing that the next time I saw Isabella, she would become my wife –

It made my stomach hurt.

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