Page 330 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

Suddenly his hand tightened on my neck.

When he spoke, his voice was steely, and he stared into my eyes with a look that chilled me to my soul.

“But do notEVER. Do it. Again.Understood?”

I swallowed hard. “Never again, Don Rosolini. I swear it on my love for Caterina.”

He peered into my eyes for a long moment…

And then he gave me a kind smile.

“Alright. Come on… let’s go celebrate. It’s your wedding day, after all.”

And he put his arm around my shoulder and hugged me as we left the alleyway.

125

Caterina

Iwatched nervously as Niccolo and Valentino walked off. I wasincrediblyscared for him.

I tried not to be a busybody –

But I kept glancing over at the alleyway.

They kept their voices down, but from their body language, it looked like they were going to come to blows.

“Excuse me,” Don Rosolini announced as he stood up, then strolled towards the alleyway.

Alessandra gave me a reassuring look –It’ll be alright –but my heart was racing.

When Niccolo stormed out of the alleyway, I couldn’t take it anymore.

I hurried over to my new brother-in-law –

The man who had always terrified me.

He stopped short when he saw me coming towards him, and confusion replaced some of the anger on his face.

“Signor Rosolini,” I pleaded, “I know it’s not my place – ”

“You don’t have to call me ‘Signor Rosolini’ anymore,” he said with a darkly humorous smile. “I’m your brother-in-law now.”

I swallowed. “…Niccolo…”

It feltverystrange to call him that to his face, but I soldiered on.

“I know you’re very angry at him, but it was my fault,” I said.“Iwas the one who followed him to Sicily. I was the one who – ”

“You weren’t theonlyone involved, though, were you,” Niccolo asked sardonically as he glanced over at the table.

I followed his gaze to Alessandra, and my heart skipped a beat.

He’d probably figured it out long ago, but still –

“Sir – uh, Niccolo – I’m asking you to place the blame on me and me alone,” I pleaded. “It wasmyfault. Please don’t punish anyone else for what Idid.”

Niccolo looked down at me in silence…

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