Chapter 38

Mafia Kings: Valentino: Chapter 38 The next morning, Niccolo still hadn’t returned from Sicily. I knew better than to ask questions.

At 8:30, Alessandra knocked on my door. When I answered, she was grinning like a loon, her cell phone at her ear. “It’s him!”

I gasped because I thought she meant Valentino –

But then I realized she was talking about the person her grandmother knew. Her contact inside the Sicilian gangster’s operation.

“Hold on,” Alessandra said into the phone, “I’m putting you on speaker.”

When she did, I heard street sounds: voices calling in the distance, a car driving past.

“I can’t talk long,” the voice said impatiently.

It was a man, probably in his early 20s.

“This is Caterina, the person we’re doing this for,” Alessandra said. She motioned for me to speak.

“...hello,” I said hesitantly.

“Hello,” the voice said curtly. “What do you want to know?”

“We need to know if you can arrange a meeting with Valentino,” Alessandra replied.

“Yes.”

“How can you be sure?” Alessandra asked.

“Because I’m lookin’ at him right now.”

My heart leapt in my chest.

“Valentino’s there with you?!” I cried out.

“No, he’s across the street with some other people.”

“Can I talk to him?!”

“NO,” the man snapped.

I looked at Alessandra in a panic. She waved me off reassuringly.

“Are you sure you can arrange a meeting in the future?” she asked.

“YES. How many times do I have to say it?”

“HOW?” Alessandra snapped right back at him.

“I can’t go into specifics. You’ll just have to trust me.”

“You don’t want us to be able to identify you to the Vicaris,” Alessandra said drily.

“Ding ding ding,” he said sarcastically. “Give the lady a prize.”

Alessandra made a face. It was obvious she thought he was an asshole.

I did, too –

But if he could get me to Valentino...

“Tell us what Caterina needs to do.”

“She needs to get to Sicily as soon as possible. I don’t know how LONG I can guarantee a meeting.”

“How about tonight?”

I looked at Alessandra in shock. She ignored me.

“Perfect.”

“Should she fly into Palermo?”

“No. Fly into Catania – that’ll be closer to where Valentino will be.”

“What should she do when she gets there?”

“Take a taxi to a hotel. Keep your phone on and charged so I can reach you, day or night.”

“Alright, I’ll give her your number. She’ll text you when she knows her arrival time.”

“Fine. Look, I’m taking a big risk here. I could get whacked for this, so I’m expecting something big enough to make it worth my while.”

“Hold on,” Alessandra said. She switched the phone off speakerphone and told me, “I’ll be right back.”

“Alessandra – ”

“I’ll be right back,” she promised, then went out into the hall and closed the door behind her.

I sat there on my bed, feeling guilty that she was doing so much for me...

And that it sounded like it was going to cost her even more than what she’d already given me.

But none of that was helping me calm down, so I pulled out my phone, opened Google Maps, and typed in ‘Catania.’

It was a small city on the eastern coast of Sicily –

Farther away from Florence than I’d ever been in my life.

My heart started beating rapidly in my chest.

That’s when the door opened and Alessandra walked in.

She was no longer on the phone, and she looked positively giddy.

“It’s all set!” she said.

“How much did he want?” I asked worriedly.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Alessandra – ”

“I said don’t worry about it.” She sat down on the bed next to me and took my hands in hers. “I can afford it, and I’m happy to help.”

“Alessandra – ”

“You were my only friend when I came here. You were the first person in this house who showed me real kindness. The others –

Massimo, Lars, Roberto – were nice to me because they felt sorry for me, but they still followed Dario’s orders and kept me under lock and key. They became important to me, eventually – but you were my friend when there was nothing in it for you, just because you’re good and kind. Please – let me repay the favor. Please.”

My eyes welled up, and I hugged her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Just make me one promise.”

“What?”

“Do whatever you have to do to get Valentino back.”

“What if he really doesn’t want me?” I moaned.

She laughed. “I know him well enough to know better.”

“But what if?”

“Then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I know this is scary, but this is your one chance to get him back – and you deserve a shot at happiness. Now – go to Sicily and claim your man.”

I nodded, tears in my eyes, and hugged her again.