Page 89 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

“You’re a freakin’ long-lost mafia princess,” I grumbled.

“We didn’t find that out untilafterDario kicked me out of the house.”

I squinted. “Didn’t youaskhim to leave?”

“You’re missing the point,” Alessandra said impatiently. “Dario wasn’t going to marry me until he almost lost me for good.That’swhat changed his mind. If I know Valentino, he’s probably cursing himself right now for not taking the deal. By the way, it was all Niccolo’s idea – did you know that?”

“Yeah… that’s what Valentino said, more or less.”

“Well, if I know Niccolo, he laid it on pretty thick. He probably told Valentino how this was all about theFAMILY,”she said in a pompous voice, “and how it was necessary for everyone’s survival and blah blah blah.”

I chuckled in spite of myself. It wasn’t the best imitation of Niccolo ever, but Alessandra had captured his self-importance pretty well.

“And I’ll bet you a million dollars that Niccolo brought up Dario spending four years in prison – for the FAMILY,” Alessandra said darkly. “Niccolo’s a master manipulator. I’m sure he guilted Valentino into thinking hehadto do it.”

“But your husband gave him a choice, and he said he didn’t want to marry me!”

Alessandra smiled like she knew something I didn’t. “I’m guessing you didn’t stick around long enough to hearwhenDario said the two of you had to get married.”

I frowned. “No – when?”

“Today.”

I stared at her. “WHAT?!”

“Exactly!” Alessandra crowed. “If I asked you, ‘Caterina, do you want to marry Valentino NOW –RIGHTNOW, in the next 15 minutes’ – would you do it?”

“I…”

“Well?!” Alessandra tapped her elegant gold wristwatch for comic effect. “Tell me now! Time’s running out! YOU HAVE TO TELL MENOW!”

I realized she was trying to drive home how much pressure Valentino must have been under…

But even without the theatrics, I recognized how insane the choice was.

If she’d asked me three hours ago in the kitchen – back before I knew anything about the arranged marriage – I would have laughed in her face.

Girl, are you crazy?! We’re just having a good time!

Now that Valentino had broken my heart, the question about marrying him was evenmorecomplicated.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to entrust my heart to him a second time.

And ifIhad been the one Don Rosolini had asked…

Ifmydecision could have called off the arranged marriage…

I still wasn’t sure.

I mean… it was alot.

“That’s a big step,” I said lamely.

“It’s a HUGE step! Now imagine having to take that step with two brothers pressuring you to do your duty to the family, and one of them went to prison soyoudidn’t haveto!”

She didn’t mention the part I knew we were both thinking:

Two brothers in themafia.

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