Page 315 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

He looked angry. “Alessandra – ”

“My place is here with you.”

“You are carrying our child – ”

“I said, NO.”

“If she’s staying, I’m staying,” Bianca said.

Mei-ling’s only response was to hold on tighter to Roberto.

“Rachel?” Lars asked.

“Hellno,” she replied coldly as she stared over the barrel of her gun.

Behind me, Massimo yelled, “Lucia – get out!”

“FUCKno!” she shouted back.

“So be it,” Vicari snarled. “Your brother has dishonored my daughter – and thus me and my family. Not only has he broken his oath to marry her, but heraped her.You heard him; he confessed to it. He has insulted me personally, and my retribution for his actions will be – ”

“No,” said a quiet voice behind me.

It was Isabella.

I looked over at her in surprise.

She was shaking – her entire body was trembling –

But she stepped forward and said in an even louder voice, “NO.”

Don Vicari stared at her in shock and anger. “What did you just say to me?”

“Valentino’s lying,” she said.

Oh shit –

Is she gonna do what I THINK she’s gonna do?!

“Isabella – ” I whispered harshly –

“Why would he lie?” Don Vicari snarled.

“Because he’s protecting me,” Isabella said. “I’m gay, Papa. I’m in love with another woman – and he knows you’d kill me if you found out.”

There was deathly silence in the room –

And then Don Vicari pointed his gun at his daughter.

“WHO?!” he shouted.

Isabella stared him down. “No one you – ”

“Me,” Ludavica said as she stepped forward and grabbed Isabella’s hand.

Isabella looked at her –

And burst into tears.

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