Chapter 80

Mafia Kings: Valentino: Chapter 80 I did everything Isabella said.

I checked Google Maps on Paolo’s phone, found a luggage store within walking distance, and bought the biggest hardshell suitcase they had – a monster with wheels and a collapsible handle.

When I got back to the room, I knocked on the door. “Cat, it’s me.”

When she opened it, her face was full of relief.

We hugged as soon I shut the door and locked it –

But she immediately asked, “What’s that for?”

“For moving him.”

“That’s how you’re getting him out of here?”

“Yeah,” I said, deciding not to tell her where the plan came from.

Cat hovered by the door, a terrified look on her face, as I unzipped the suitcase and laid it next to Paolo’s corpse.

“...do you... do you need me to help?” she asked timidly.

“I think I’ve got it.”

I hooked my arms under his armpits and heaved him into the air. Or tried, anyway.

Christ!

I figured he was about 170 pounds. I could deadlift 450 and bench 300, but trying to handle a corpse was harder. Dead weight was limp like a sack of jelly.

At least rigor mortis hadn’t set him.

But lividity had.

Cat cried out as I lifted him.

“What?!” I asked.

“His face...” she said, cringing.

I looked in the mirror. Paolo’s face was already mottled purple.

Isabella had been right.

Let’s hope she’s right about the rest of it, too.

I wrestled the body into one half of the suitcase and tucked his arms, legs, and head inside until he was in a fetal position.

His wallet was on the floor with his keys, right where I’d tossed them earlier.

I took everything out – especially his driver’s license and credit cards – and wiped down the wallet and keys before tossing them in the suitcase with him.

I supposed if I really wanted to make sure they couldn’t identify him, I’d pull out his teeth and cut off his fingertips...

But I wasn’t gonna be that hardcore about it.

If I got lucky, it would be months before he was found.

That would be enough.

I wiped down the pistol and tossed it in.

Then I pulled his cell phone out of my pocket and turned it off.

I had no idea how to get the battery out, so I just hit the screen against the corner of the sink until it shattered, then bent the phone completely out of shape. I wiped it down and threw it in with the body.

Then I zipped the suitcase and struggled to get it upright.

It was going to be a shitshow getting this thing down the stairs...

But I was thankful I’d talked it out with Isabella.

At least I wouldn’t have to do Weekend at Bernie’s with a body that was stiff as a board.

“What do we do now?” Caterina whispered.

“We wait.”

I sat on the bed and held her in my arms.

While I did, I told her what I needed for the distraction.

“Can you do that?” I asked.

“I – I think so. But what happens after you get rid of him?”

“You’ve got to get out of Ortigia. Go back to Ragusa or Cefalù.”

“How do I get in touch with you?”

“Talk to Alessandra. I’ll call her, too – she can be our go-between.”

Cat looked at me in a panic. “This is the last time I’m going to see you, isn’t it?”

“No,” I insisted, but I couldn’t be sure.

I had no idea if I was even going to survive this.

If Don Vicari found out what I had done...

Caterina buried her face in my chest. “I can’t lose you! I can’t!”

“You won’t,” I whispered as I stroked her hair. “We’ll figure something out. I promise.”

“You could run away with me,” she pleaded. “Right now.”

Her offer was more tempting than ever before –

But I knew that if I ran, Don Vicari would hunt me down.

Then he’d go after my brothers.

Instead of only fighting Uncle Fausto, they’d be battling Vicari, too.

And despite all the fucked-up shit Fausto had pulled, I was pretty sure Don Vicari was worse.

I still might have done it – run away with her –

But if Don Vicari found me, he would find Cat, too.

And there was no telling what he might do to her.

I flashed back to the nightmare in the barn –

And immediately pushed it out of my head.

“No,” I whispered. “No... it’s all going to be just fine.”

I doubted I convinced her, seeing as I couldn’t even convince myself.