Page 9 of The Mafia King's Reign
I hear a footstep behind me. It's close. Too close.
I start to turn, but a hand slams over my mouth, and the world goes black.
* * *
I wake up in a room I don't recognize.
"Where am I?"
It's enormous, too big to feel safe. Elegant in a way that doesn't invite comfort. A chaise lounge sits against the wall, draped in decorative pillows that look untouched, like they exist purely to be admired.
"I must be dreaming," I whisper.
But my pulse is already racing, and fear is too sharp, too real.
This isn't a dream.
The light is dimmed to a warm glow that feels intentional. The bed beneath me is impossibly soft, the sheets crisp and clean. I'm not restrained. I'm not in pain.
I sit up slowly, trying to stay calm, but my heart is slamming against my ribs.
I'm grateful to be fully dressed. There's no blood. No bruises. No ache in my body beyond the tight coil of panic winding through my chest.
The door opens quietly. I suck in a sharp breath and scramble back against the headboard.
A woman steps inside. Mid-fifties, dark hair pulled into a neat bun, dressed in simple black slacks and a cream blouse. Calm. Composed. Freaky as shit.
"Good morning, Valentina," she says gently. "You're awake."
My throat is dry. "Where am I?"
"You're safe," she replies immediately. Too smoothly. "My name is Rosa. I'm here to take care of you."
"I didn't ask if I was safe." My voice shakes. "I asked where I am."
She pauses, then answers honestly. "You're at a Vitale property."
"I'm where?" I ask, trying to sound calm, but my hands are visibly shaking. Vitale? Why does that name sound so familiar?
My mind drifts to a faint memory of me in Lindsay's office when I brought her breakfast once. She told me she was working on a huge case against a dangerous criminal empire, but kept hitting brick walls. Then I remember looking at the file and seeing the name... Vitale.
After that, I'd ask her about it from time to time, but she never really said much. Her father had them under his radar also, but he never shares that information publicly. Not everything, anyway. Only with Lindsay.
And Lindsay, unfortunately, or fortunately, in this moment, has a very big mouth. I know this family.
The Vitales have controlled certain aspects of this city for decades. Quietly. Methodically. She said their influence stretches through politicians, business owners, and even law enforcement. The kind of power that doesn't need to announce itself because everyone already knows.
Which means one thing is very clear. Whoever took me didn't make a mistake. They knew exactly what they were doing.
And as terrifying as that realization is, there's a strange sense of clarity that comes with it. At least I’m aware of who has me.
The only question left is, why? What the hell do they want with a freaking boring librarian?
My pulse spikes. “I want my phone."
She nods and reaches into her pocket, handing it out to me. "Of course."
That surprises me enough that I hesitate.
