Page 134 of My Mafia King

I’ve lived in shame my whole life because my family was how it was.

I was convinced it was my fault and had to do with something I had done. I feel less even now because of how my father treated me and my sister.

I don’t have time to analyze my feelings toward my father.

The only two things I know are that I don’t like to talk about him and want to get away from him and never have to deal with him again.

I look down, pondering.

What can I tell him?

“I don’t think my situation is that rare. Maybe it’s not common, but it’s happened to other people too.”

The introduction is for me more than it is for him.

He listens attentively while I struggle to say more.

“He has neglected us––me and my sister––and threatened us many times that he would harm us and throw us out. I just want to make sure his threats never become reality,” I say evenly.

“Where is your sister?” he asks, his eyes tipped down for a second.

“She’s staying with a relative. She’s safe for now,” I say. “I just need to…”

I stop, realizing this is where things get complicated.

If I tell him the entire story, I must tell him I’ll leave as soon as I get more money.

“Yes?”

“Nothing. I told you I don’t want to talk about it. It makes me feel bad.”

He studies me for a few moments before checking the time on his watch.

“We need to go,” he murmurs before rising to his feet and offering me his hand. “They’re waiting for us in the casino.”

* * *

DAMASO

When I walkwith her in the casino, time stops, people freeze, and the animation fades, everything becoming a muted scene with no life in it.

I used to get all the eyes in the room when I walked in.

I get them now, too, but not before they take her in first.

Carmina has no idea what’s going on.

Her cheeks are flushed. Maybe it’s from the sun today, or maybe it’s from walking next to me.

Her hair and eyes steal the show.

I’ve never seen someone more magnetic in my life, and I’ve seen women covered with glitter, clad in sequined costumes, wearing feathers and tiaras.

I run the kind of business where magnetism is instrumental in making money.

People like to be distracted, see magnificent things, and fully experience them.

That’s what makes this even more fascinating.

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