Page 16 of Mafia Virgin (The Kings of Italy)

I went to my sparse office and closed the heavy door. The liquor bottles were lined up, waiting patiently to provide solace. First, I had to wash the bad taste of the last hour out of my mouth. I was fucking married—and to a woman I didn’t know. I still couldn’t believe it.

I threw back a mouthful of Irish whisky, the burn ripping through my chest and settling in my stomach. My father and brother had hated the stuff, which was probably why I ordered cases of it. Taking another glass, I went to the desk and picked up the phone. I dialed Viviana’s room.

She answered on the third ring. “Ciao, Mo.Come stai?”

The sound of her voice soothed something inside me. Vivi was safe. And I would do anything to ensure that it stayed that way.

I found myself smiling despite my shitty day. “Ciao,sorellina. I wanted to check on you.”

“Except you checked on me yesterday. And now there’s an extra guard outside my room. Should I be worried?”

I could hear the anxiety creeping into her words and it gutted me. I’d spent my whole life trying to keep her safe, protecting her from the demons in my world. “No, absolutely not. Everything is fine.”

“You would say that even if it weren’t true.”

“We agreed, no? I told you I’d be honest if you had something to fear. You don’t.”As long as I follow Virga’s orders.

“Are you sure?”

“Sì, certo.”

“I don’t want to lose you, Mo.”

“Basta,” I said gently. “You won’t lose me.”

“You’re my only family left, Mo. If there’s something I need to know, then tell me.”

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

She sighed into the phone. “I hate this for you. I know you never wanted to be don.”

“Dai, it’s meetings and more meetings, Vivi,” I said. “A thousand questions every day that must be answered. So much thinking and talking.”

This made my sister laugh. “Be grateful for the meetings. It’s better than people shooting at you.”

We chatted for a few more minutes, but I didn’t tell her about my marriage. It would only upset her and raise her anxiety. If she grew too agitated, the attendants would drug her and I knew how much she hated that.

After we rang off I strolled toward the kitchen, ready for dinner. I felt better after speaking with Viv, but it didn’t mean she was safe. I hated to move her to another facility and force her to leave her friends and nurses. The last time we did, Viv couldn’t sleep and lost a considerable amount of weight. She was frightened that my father would discover she was alive.

When he died I begged Viv to come live at home with me, but she refused. She said the house had too many bad memories. It did for me, too, but I had no choice in the matter. I was Don Buscetta now and my security was apparently more important than my peace of mind.

Laughter drifted out from the kitchen and I scowled. What did anyone have to be so fucking happy about? When I walked in, Zani and Emma were at the bar, drinking wine, while Sal chopped herbs on the island. The cozy scene set my teeth on edge.

The laughter immediately died at my presence, and I felt like an outsider in my own home. Again.

Resentment scraped across my nerves like talons, digging up my childhood insecurities, and anger bubbled up in my chest. I wasn’t supposed to feel like this.Shewas supposed to feel like an interloper. Unwanted and unloved.

My skin was suddenly too tight, too hot. I couldn’t think straight. In a split second, I made a decision. “I’m going out.”

Zani frowned, while Emma avoided looking at me altogether. Sal put down his knife and wiped his hands. “I made your favorite, aubergine caponata.”

“Mo,” Zani said, a hint of disapproval in his tone. “Do you think it’s wise, tonight of all nights?”

Meaning he wanted me to sit and babysit Emma. Have some sort of wedding night. Fuck that. I would get my dick wet, but with someone who actually wanted it.

“I have plans,” I lied, plucking an olive off the island and tossing it in my mouth.

“With who?” Zani asked.

---