Chapter 86

Mafia Kings: Valentino: Chapter 86 “...and Massimo just got out of surgery,” Niccolo said. “The doctors said it was touch and go, but they think he’ll pull through.”

I sat there in Don Vicari’s kitchen, my cell on speakerphone on the table.

“...pull through?” I repeated, my voice shaking.

Massimo was the biggest of us all –

The strongest.

He wasn’t supposed to ‘pull through’ –

He was supposed to be fucking invincible.

“He was shot 17 times. Only three got through his body armor, but the ones that did were pretty bad.”

“But he’s going to be alright – isn’t he?” I whispered.

Niccolo paused... then said softly, “I won’t lie to you, Val. I THINK so... but he has to make it through the night first.”

He has to make it through the night first.

I didn’t think I’d ever heard Niccolo say something more frightening.

“But Adriano’s okay?”

“He’s fine. He reinjured his ribs, but he’s alright.”

“And Lars?”

“He’s fine, too. In fact, if it hadn’t been for him, they’d have ALL been killed.”

“What about the rest of our guys?”

Niccolo sounded pained. “Most of them died. Fourteen out of twenty. The rest were wounded – some pretty seriously.”

“But Aurelio’s dead?”

“Yes,” Niccolo said grimly. “Massimo threw him off the bell tower.”

“Jesus Christ...”

My mind raced as I tried to process everything I’d heard.

That morning, while I was in Ortigia, Massimo had led an assault on the Isle of San Michele – a cemetery island just off the coast of Venice. He’d been trying to rescue the Widow’s granddaughter, who had been kidnapped by Aurelio and some mercenaries.

Massimo, Adriano, Lars, and 20 of our guys had gone in.

Only a handful had walked out...

And now Massimo might not make it, either.

“I’m coming to Venice,” I said.

“No you’re not,” Don Vicari said.

He was sitting across the table, listening in on the call.

“The fuck I’m not,” I snarled at him.

He just narrowed his eyes. “You’re not leaving this house until after the wedding.”

“LOOK – ”

“Valentino,” Niccolo interrupted, “listen to me. There’s nothing you can do here. I’ll call you every hour if you want, I swear – but we NEED Don Vicari’s help right now. Fausto is still out there, and I’m sure he’s lost his mind over what happened to Aurelio.

He’s not going to fight with the gloves on anymore, and it’s going to get ugly. We need Don Vicari’s forces more than ever. Do you understand?”

“But – ”

“We’ll see you at the wedding – Massimo, too. It will all be fine, I promise. But until then, do whatever Don Vicari tells you to. Do I make myself clear?”

I glared at Vicari hatefully, but I mumbled, “...yes.”

“Good.” Niccolo paused. “I understand there was some sort of... trouble earlier?”

“It’s fine,” I muttered.

“Then why wasn’t I able to reach you?”

“I’ll tell you at the wedding,” I said acidly.

Nic knew I was telling him to fuck off; given the situation, though, he couldn’t do anything but take it.

“...fine. We’ll talk then. Don Vicari, thank you for protecting my brother.”

“Hmph,” Vicari grunted. “He has a habit of putting himself in harm’s way.”

“It’s an inherited trait in our family. But both my brother Dario and I greatly appreciate your help with – ”

“Is Alessandra there?” I interrupted.

“I was speaking with Don Vicari,” Niccolo said coldly.

“Yeah, I heard,” I snapped. “Is Alessandra there?”

“Yes, but – ”

“Put her on.”

“I don’t – ”

“PUT HER ON, NIC.”

Niccolo was silent for a moment – seething in rage, no doubt.

But then he said, “Hold on, I have to go get her.”

There was silence.

“That’s Don Rosolini’s wife, yes?” Vicari asked me.

“Yeah. My sister-in-law.”

Vicari narrowed his eyes. “Why do you want to speak with her?”

Why, indeed.

I couldn’t exactly tell him that I wanted to know about Cat –

So I said, “Niccolo has a habit of putting the best spin on news. She’ll tell me the truth.”

“I see,” Vicari said.

He didn’t sound convinced.

After another 60 seconds of sitting there in silence, Alessandra suddenly came on the phone. “Valentino?!”

“Hey, Alessandra,” I said, then added as a warning, “I’m sitting here with my future father-in-law.”

“Oh... hello,” Alessandra replied.

“Mrm,” Vicari grunted.

“Tell me the truth: is everyone okay?” I asked.

“Well – I mean, I’m sure Massimo will be okay – the doctors said – ”

“But everybody else – everybody we love – they’re okay? You’ve talked to Adriano and Lars and everybody else?”

There was a short silence.

I didn’t know if she was confused –

Or if she was just shocked to hear me use the word ‘love’ in connection with Cat.

“Yes,” she finally said. “I promise you, everybody you and I love is alright.”

I exhaled.

Cat’s safe.

“...thank you,” I murmured.

“Do you want me to pass on a message?”

“Yeah. Tell them I can’t wait until I see them again. And that I love them.”

Another pause.

Then she said, “Okay. I will.”

“Thanks, Alessandra.”

“Do you want to speak to Niccolo again?”

“No,” I said decisively.

“Alright... well... goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

I hung up the call.

“Can I keep this?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“No,” Vicari said.

“Then I’m going to go take a shower,” I announced.

I got up and limped towards the door –

When Vicari said out of nowhere, “All that talk about ‘love.’”

I turned and looked at him.

My heart was beating faster; I was afraid he’d figured it out.

“What about it?” I asked.

He looked at me for a long moment in silence...

Then said contemptuously, “That shit is what makes you weak.”

If I could have killed him right then and there, I would have.

Instead, I just gave him a Fuck you smile. “Maybe so. But I don’t care if it does.”

And I turned away and walked out of the kitchen.

After my shower, it took me hours to fall asleep. I couldn’t stop worrying.

About Massimo...

About Caterina...

And that I might never see her again.

At least she was safe.

That was more than I could say for my brother.