Page 116 of Mafia Virgin (The Kings of Italy)

The best thing for her would be to go to Toronto, become a doctor, and forget this ever happened. Build a life that suited her instead of being trapped in mine.

“I want to speak to him,” I told Zani. “Ring D’Agostino.”

“I hope you’re telling him to bring her back.”

I thought of Emma, weeping quietly on the bed, curled into a ball. Exactly like my mother all those years ago. “I’ll not make her stay. If she wishes to leave, then she can go. I won’t stand in her way.”

“She’s your wife, Mo. She could be carrying your child.”

“Call,” I barked.

Shaking his head, Zani began dialing on my phone. Ringing soon echoed through the car speakers.

A deep voice answered. “You’re too late.” I could hear the satisfaction in his tone.

“If anything happens to her,” I said softly, deadly. “I will peel the flesh from your bones. Are we clear?”

“That you would dare to question my ability to keep her safe is an insult.”

“She’s still my wife, D’Agostino.”

“Not for long, Buscetta. One way or another this marriage ends very soon. Capisce?”

Did he think I was worried for myself, the coglione? “That favor I asked for, about Virga? Now you know the reason I asked. Have you made any progress?”

“Yes, but I’m not inclined to help you, considering you married my woman’s twin without permission.”

Fuck this.

I didn’t wait to hear anything more. I disconnected and stared through the window, not seeing the rolling hills around us. I could feel my friend’s eyes burning into the side of my head.

“I can’t believe this,” Zani finally said. “Are you willing to let her go so easily?”

“I won’t keep her against her will. If I do, I’m no better than Virga or my father.”

Zani cursed softly but didn’t argue. I flexed my hands and told myself it was for the best.

I was fine before Emma came along and I’ll be fine now that she’s gone.

Viviana was my family, the only one that mattered. I’d find her and bring her home to stay with me. Then I would redecorate the mansion to remove any traces of our father. Hell, I would tear it down and rebuild it from scratch, if that's what she wanted. Her safety and happiness would never waver again, not for one instant.

And her boyfriend? Federico Chiellini was about to be on the receiving end of every bit of my anger and frustration. I was looking forward to it.

* * *

We finally arrived at a small turnoff. “We have to get out and walk from here.”

“I hope it’s not far,” Zani muttered as he stepped out of the car. “These shoes cost seven-hundred euros.”

We opened the trunk and pulled out our pistols, then I began leading Zani up the path.

For the next thirty minutes we climbed higher and higher. Though the surroundings were slightly more overgrown, they were familiar. My father had insisted both Nino and I learn the route, no one else. That way we could come out and periodically bring him shit. The routine was always the same: I came alone, ensuring I wasn’t followed, then for two or three hours my father shouted instructions and berated me, after which I left.

Until Giulio Ravazzani and Alessandro Ricci killed the old man and set me free. It had been the happiest day of my life until—

No use thinking about that now. She was gone.

I swallowed the burn in my throat just as we arrived at the small copse of trees surrounding the farmhouse. Instantly, it was clear that my father’s hiding spot was occupied. Laundry hung outside on lines and fresh wood had been chopped. A stranger might’ve stumbled across the place, but my gut told me it was Viviana and Federico.

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