Mafia Kings: Valentino: Dark Mafia Romance Series #6 by Olivia Thorn

Mafia Kings: Valentino: Chapter 29

I was crying in bed when I heard a light knock on the door.

“Go away,” I sniffled.

“Caterina, it’s me,” Alessandra’s muffled voice said. “Please let me in.”

I still loved Alessandra just as much as the first day she walked into my kitchen…

But the fact that she was now my boss’s wife kind of complicated our friendship.

I thought about telling her again to go away…

But I gave in, dragged myself out of bed, and unlocked the door.

Then I collapsed back onto my bed and buried my face in my pillow.

Alessandra closed the door, sat at the foot of the bed, and put a consoling hand on my leg.

“…you listened in, didn’t you,” she asked sadly.

I didn’t look at her. I couldn’t. I was too humiliated by what Don Rosolini had said.

“How much did you hear?” Alessandra asked.

“Enough,” I said miserably.

“Caterina, listen to me: you have to go to Sicily.”

Of all the things I’d been expecting her to say, that had not been one of them.

I looked up from the pillow in shock. “What?!”

“You have to go to Sicily.”

“Why?!”

“To get him back!”

I looked at her like she was crazy. “Your husband gave Valentino a choice between me and an arranged marriage… and he chose the arranged marriage.”

“Dario didn’t want to marry me at first,” Alessandra said. “He didn’t change his mind until he almost lost me.”

“That was different,” I protested.

“How was it so different? Two brothers – one sleeping with a café waitress, the other with a kitchen worker – ”

“You’re a freakin’ long-lost mafia princess,” I grumbled.

“We didn’t find that out until after Dario kicked me out of the house.”

I squinted. “Didn’t you ask him to leave?”

“You’re missing the point,” Alessandra said impatiently. “Dario wasn’t going to marry me until he almost lost me for good. That’s what changed his mind. If I know Valentino, he’s probably cursing himself right now for not taking the deal. By the way, it was all Niccolo’s idea – did you know that?”

“Yeah… that’s what Valentino said, more or less.”

“Well, if I know Niccolo, he laid it on pretty thick. He probably told Valentino how this was all about the FAMILY,” she said in a pompous voice, “and how it was necessary for everyone’s survival and blah blah blah.”

imitation of Niccolo ever,

you a million dollars that Niccolo brought up Dario spending four years in prison – for the FAMILY,” Alessandra said darkly. “Niccolo’s a

gave him a choice, and he said he didn’t want to

you didn’t stick around long enough

frowned. “No –

“Today.”

at

‘Caterina, do you want to marry Valentino NOW – RIGHT NOW, in the next 15

“I…”

for comic effect. “Tell me now! Time’s running out! YOU HAVE TO TELL ME

realized she was trying to drive home how much pressure Valentino

the theatrics, I recognized how insane the

hours ago in the kitchen – back before I knew anything about the arranged marriage – I would have

We’re just having a

my heart, the question about marrying him was even

wasn’t sure I wanted to entrust my heart to him

been the one Don

decision could have called

I still wasn’t sure.

mean… it was a

big step,”

having to take that step with two brothers pressuring you to do your duty to the family, and one of them went to prison so you didn’t have

the part I knew we were both

in the

But… still…

he really doesn’t want to marry

only one way to find

in fear. “I

“Do you want him?”

I paused –

how much he

YES I

“Yes,” I said.

“How much?”

scary to say it – but I said it anyway. “More

go and claim him. Fight

the mafia!” I

made a humorous face. “I didn’t say

suggesting this!” This time, I whispered the

eye. “Dario should have

Blessed Virgin…

was glad Don Rosolini wasn’t around to hear her talk like

even been to Sicily!” I

been out of Tuscany when Dario brought

rich! I have to work this job to survive – because I don’t have

a mischievous grin. “That’s not going to be

she had with her. My head had been buried in my pillow when

roll of cash with

held it

at her in shock. “I can’t take

hand. “Dario took away your happiness. The very least I can do is try to help you get it

her for another few seconds in shock

Then burst into tears.