Page 10 of The Mafia King's Reign
"You're... giving it to me?"
"Yes," she says. "Mr. Vitale asked that you be given your phone. He wants you to hear from your family before your meeting."
I snatch it from her hand and dial without thinking.
Mom.
She answers on the second ring, already crying.
"Valentina?" Her voice breaks. "Oh God, are you okay? Where are you?"
"I don't know, some Vitale property," I whisper. "They took me. I woke up here. Mom, do you know what's going on?"
"Did they hurt you?" she sobs.
"No. I'm fine. I think." I glance at Rosa, who stands quietly by the door, giving us privacy without leaving. "Mom, should I call the police?"
There's a sharp inhale on the other end.
Before my mother can answer, Rosa speaks softly.
"I wouldn't recommend that."
I cover the phone. "Excuse me?"
She meets my eyes, no threat, no cruelty. Certainty.
"The police can't help you here," she says. "And calling them would make things... much harder for your family."
My stomach drops.
"Did your father contact you?"
I look through my call log but I don’t see any missed calls from him. Then I pull up my messages and I see he sent me a message early morning. "I'm sorry, honey, I'm so sorry."
"Mom, what's going on? What's Dad apologizing for? Should I call him?"
"Valentina, listen to me. Whatever he tells you about our family, about… my family, I need you to hear my side first. Promise me. Don't believe everything he says until we talk."
“If you know what’s going on, you need to tell me.” There’s a pause. A sharp breath.
Then her voice drops, trembling but firm. "Listen to me. I promise, I will tell you everything okay. Just… play their game,"she says. "Pretend. Smile. Do whatever you have to do. We'll get you out of this."
Their game.
"Mom?"
"I have to go," she says quickly. "Stay off your phone. Don't talk to anyone. I'm coming to see you as soon as I can."
The line goes dead.
“Unbelievable,” I mutter under my breath, pacing once across the room before stopping short, heat crawling up my neck.
Rosa inclines her head slightly. "You should get some rest. Dinner will be brought to you soon."
My hands are shaking. "What do you guys want from me?" I ask.
Rosa's expression softens. "Relax, get some rest and I'll come see you soon, okay?"
