Page 46 of The Mafia King's Reign
"Rosa." I catch her arm. "How many women have been in this room before me?"
She goes still. When she turns back, something in her expression has softened.
"In thirty-six years, Mr. Vitale has never brought a woman to this estate. Not once." She pauses. "Until you."
"What about—"
"Not for business. Not for pleasure. Not even for his brothers to meet." Her voice is quiet, certain. "You're the first. That should tell you something."
She's gone before I can ask anything else.
Before I could ask what that meant, she was gone, and I'm alone with butterflies, a five-thousand-dollar dress, and the growing realization that there's nowhere in my life he hasn't already reached.
I look at my phone.
Lindsay:Val, PLEASE. I'm getting worried.
I sink onto the bed and dial before I can talk myself out of it.
She answers on the first ring. "Valentina. Oh my God, finally."
"Hey, Linds." I force my voice to sound normal. Casual. "I'm so sorry, I should have called sooner."
"Where the hell have you been? Your mom gave me some vague bullshit about you needing space, and you haven't been to work."
"I know, I know. I'm sorry." I close my eyes, hating every word that comes next. "I... I needed to get away for a bit. Family stuff. It's complicated."
"Complicated how?" Her voice sharpens with concern. "Val, are you in trouble?"
Yes.
"No," I lie. "I'm fine. Really. I just need some time to think."
"Think about what?"
"About... everything. My life. Where I'm going." The lies are heavy on my tongue. "I might be making some changes soon. Big ones."
She doesn't say anything at first.
Then: "You're scaring me."
"Don't be scared. I promise I'm okay. I'll explain everything soon. I just need you to trust me for now."
"Valentina—"
"Please, Linds... give me a little time. A week. Maybe twelve. Then we'll talk. I promise."
Another long pause.
"You swear you're safe?" she asks quietly.
The question lands deeper than she knows.
Am I safe?
I think about Salvatore's promise.Know that I will never hurt you.
I think about the contract. The cameras. The guards.
