Page 76 of Mafia Virgin (The Kings of Italy)

My sister waved at me from the bench at the edge of the pond. A dozen or so ducks were gathered around her feet as they waited for the bread she was tossing.

It had been almost a month since I visited in person, which was too long. So when Viviana called this morning to ask me to come, I didn’t hesitate.

Thankfully, my sister looked well. Happy. Mirabella has been her home since she was eighteen years old. Before that, she stayed in a different in-patient facility, one that catered to children. It hadn’t been easy, faking her death and keeping her existence a secret from my father and brother. Every bout I won, every Euro of prize money, had gone to Viviana’s care. It was part of what had motivated me in the ring.

Now she was twenty-six, an adult. But she was well cared for. Safe.

And I would marry ten women and father a hundred babies to ensure it stayed that way.

I nodded at one of the three guards I personally paid to keep watch over her twenty-four hours a day, then approached the bench. “Sorellina, ciao.” Bending, I kissed her cheeks. “Come stai?”

“Bene. But why do you look so serious today? Here, sit with the ducks. They’ll cheer you up.”

I dropped onto the seat next to her. “And if they bite me, they become dinner.”

“Did you hear that, amici?” She threw the ducks more bread. “The powerful mafia don is threatening you.”

I snorted and stretched my arms out on the back of the bench. “You couldn’t wait to remind me.”

“I can’t help it. I never wanted this for you. And I know you never wanted it, either.”

“It doesn’t matter what I want. I’m a Buscetta. But it’s not so bad, now that I am the one in charge.”

“Without Papà and Nino, you mean. I can see that.” She tossed the rest of her bread and dusted off her fingers. “It must feel as if a weight has been lifted, no?”

“The weight has been lifted for you, as well.”

She shrugged, her long dark hair shifting with the movement. “I try not to think about them.”

“But they can’t hurt you any more, Vivi. No one will ever hurt you, not as long as I am breathing.”

“You’re a good brother, Mo. I always thank God that he gave you to me.” We both knew I wasn’t religious, so I didn’t respond. She studied my face carefully. “You’re happy? Being the one in charge, I mean.”

“It has its benefits.”

“Like money and women.”

I smiled. “Yes, those are two I happen to like.”

“You’re not . . . you’re not doing it for me, are you?”

This wasn’t the first time she’d asked. And I still wanted to avoid the conversation. She didn’t like hearing that everything I did, every single day, was for her. “Stop worrying about me. Tell me, why did you want to see me today?”

“You said things have changed now that Papà and Nino are dead. You said things are better.”

Hope rose in my chest. Did she want to come home? That would solve everything with Virga. “Yes, things are better. You’re safe, Vivi.”

“Good.” She smoothed her skirt, not meeting my eyes. “Because there is a man here, another patient. He’s being released and the two of us would like—”

“Fuck no.”

The nearby ducks scattered at my harsh tone, but I didn’t look away from my sister’s face. She frowned at me. “You don’t even know what I was going to say.”

“It doesn’t matter. I won’t allow you to put yourself in jeopardy.”

“You said there was no jeopardy. You said I was safe and there was nothing to worry about.”

“There is nothing to worry about,” I lied.

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