Page 131 of Mafia Kings: Dario

Like Dario taking them off me…

And making love to me.

“You can burn them,” I said dully. “And all the memories they hold.”

Niccolo sighed heavily… then walked over to the bed, gave me a sad smile, and put out his arm.

I smiled sadly back at him… took his arm…

And he walked me out of the room.

45

All the brothers were waiting for me in the foyer –

All except Dario.

At first I felt ashamed, like they were judging me…

And then I saw the sadness in their eyes as Niccolo walked me down the stairs.

Massimo was first.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “For saving my life.”

“I would do it a thousand times over.” He gave me a sad smile. “I had hoped… that you would be around for a long, long time to come.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I smiled back. “So did I.”

Next was Roberto.

“We didn’t really get a chance to talk much,” he said awkwardly, “but you seem like a wonderful person. If there’s anything I can help you and your father with in the future… anything with business, anything with money, anything you need… please let me know.”

And he pressed a business card into my hand.

“Thank you,” I said, and I meant it.

Valentino was next. To my surprise, he reached out and hugged me.

“You’re a wonderful girl,” he said. “A wonderful woman.”

“Will you do me a favor?” I asked.

“What?”

“Try not to break Caterina’s heart.”

He smiled sadly. “I’ll do my best… I promise.”

Last up was Adriano. Alone out of all the brothers, he looked angry as I walked up to him – but that was par for the course for him.

I looked at him, unsure what he would say or do –

And then he said simply, “You deserve better than this.”

I started crying and smiled. “Thank you.”

Out of nowhere, he leaned forward and kissed my forehead like my father might have.

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