Page 148 of The Mafia King's Reign
“Nico.” It’s not a question.
“Dr. Drew’s on the way,” Nico answers immediately.
Salvatore nods once, decision made.
“Why did you do this?” His voice is quiet. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that comes before an explosion.
“I thought—”
He lifts his hand, not violently, not even angrily. Just enough to stop me from saying whatever comes next.
“Let’s move out,” he commands, his voice controlled. “Nico, get this cleaned up.”
The men disperse immediately. No questions. No lingering glances. Just quiet efficiency as the room resets itself around what just happened.
He finally turns to me and lifts me like I weigh nothing.
I gasp softly as his arms tighten around me, my body instinctively leaning into his chest despite everything. Despite the pain. Despite the fear.
He doesn’t look at me.
He carries me out, his steps steady and controlled, but I can feel the tension in him, coiled tight beneath the surface, like he’s one breath away from snapping.
The cool air outside hits my skin as he places me carefully into the car.
Still no eye contact.
I watch him as he pulls back, as he turns away from me like he can’t stand to look.
My face throbs, each heartbeat a reminder of what just happened. The taste of blood still lingers on my tongue.
For a second, I hesitate. My pulse is still racing, my ears still ringing. Then I place my hand in his.
His fingers close around mine, warm and steady.
He holds onto me the entire way home, speeding to get me to Dr. Drew, but he doesn’t say anything to me.
The ride is completely silent, but not the comfortable kind. The kind that presses against your ribs and makes it hard to breathe.
I want to ask about my father. The question burns at the back of my throat.
Where is he? Is he alive? Did you move him?
But I can see he’s trying to hold it together, and my head is fucking throbbing.
* * *
The doctor’s there when we arrive. Salvatore carries me from his car into his bed.
Dr. Drew assesses me and gives me pain meds.
“You hit your head pretty hard, but you’ll be okay. These will help with the headaches, and I’m going to give you some meds now to help you through the night.”
“Thanks, doc,” I smile, starting to take them from him when Salvatore takes them and places them on the nightstand.
When the doctor leaves, he stands, looking out of his bedroom window, angry, afraid, I don’t even know anymore.
“They could have killed you, Valentina.” His voice is low, wrecked. “Why would you do something like that?”
