Page 5 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

He took the fall for il Mostro,everybody said.Mafia.

So the Rosolinis were not only rich…

They were dangerous.

As soon as she said they were hiring, my mother hissed, “Giovanna!”

“What?” Giovanna exclaimed indignantly. “That’s what my sister said!”

“No daughter of mine is going to work for – forthem!”my mother snapped.

She couldn’t even bring herself to say the word ‘mafia.’

But I was intrigued.

Hesitant, yes –

But if I could make a lot more money than what I was making now –

And actuallycookin a rich family’s kitchen?

I knew I had to find out more.

When Aunt Giovanna hugged me goodbye later that night, I whispered, “How would I apply for that job you mentioned?”

She gave me a sly smile. “I’ll ask my sister. She knows all the gossip.”

3

And that was how I got an interview with the Rosolinis.

An old boyfriend of mine who still lived in town (and who I occasionally still hooked up with when we were both single) drove me out into the countryside for the interview.

Using Google Maps, we turned down a small road bordered by tall, thin cedar trees, then drove until we reached a massive stone wall with iron gates.

We sat there in his car, wondering what the hell we should do, when a voice blared out of a speaker on the wall.

“State your business.”

The voice was so loud that we could hear it clearly through our rolled-up windows.

I opened the car door and stepped out timidly into the freezing winter air.

“I’m – I’m here for the job in the kitchen,” I called out nervously, my heart thudding in my chest.

“Your name?”the voice snapped.

“C-Caterina Martinelli.”

There was a long pause, and I wondered if I would even getinto do the interview.

Maybe I was going to lose the job before I even got a chance.

Then the voice said,“Stay there. We’re sending someone to get you.”

I helpfully suggested, “My friend could drive me up to the – ”

“STAY. THERE. We’re sending someone to get you.”

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