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.”

the best imitation

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

choice, and

didn’t stick around long

frowned. “No –

“Today.”

at her.

“If I asked you, ‘Caterina, do you want to marry Valentino NOW – RIGHT NOW, in the

“I…”

elegant gold wristwatch for comic effect. “Tell me now! Time’s running

trying to drive home how

without the theatrics, I recognized how insane

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

you crazy?! We’re just having

the question about marrying him was even more

sure I wanted to entrust my heart to

if I had been the one

could have

I still wasn’t sure.

it was

step,”

you to do your

I knew

brothers in the

But… still…

if he really doesn’t want

find out. Go

in fear. “I can’t

“Do you want him?”

I paused –

no matter how

I

“Yes,” I said.

“How much?”

but I said it

and claim him. Fight

marriage – by the mafia!” I said, whispering the last word

face. “I didn’t say

suggesting this!” This time, I whispered

dangerous look in her eye. “Dario should

Blessed Virgin…

glad Don Rosolini wasn’t around to hear her talk

been to Sicily!” I

hadn’t even been out of Tuscany when Dario

Sicily, I’m not rich! I have to work this job

grin. “That’s not going to

the floor, which I didn’t know she

a huge roll

held it

shock. “I can’t take your

you can!” she said as she pressed it into my hand. “Dario took away your happiness. The very least I can do is try

at her for another few seconds

Then burst into tears.