Page 27 of The Mafia King's Reign
"Yes, I do." I pull back and meet her eyes. "Mom, you ran from one Vitale. I'm not running from another. Not when it means putting you and Sofia in danger."
"So what are you going to do?"
What am I going to do? What a loaded question. What can I do? I feel like I’m suffocating but I have to keep it together for my mother. I can see how worried and terrified she is but I’m much stronger than she thinks. Either way, I’m going to do the only thing that I can do… at least right now.
"I guess I’m going to marry a monster."
“Honey?” she starts but I put a hand up. “I’ll be fine. I'm going to play the role he wants and find a way to protect our family."
I think of Catherine de' Medici again. Fourteen years old, forced into a marriage she didn't choose. "I'm not going to bea victim, Mom. If I have to do this, I'm going to do it on my terms."
Pride flickers across her face, mixed with heartbreak. "You sound like my father."
"Tell me about him." I sit back on the couch. "Tell me about Vincent Castellano. If I'm paying his debt, I should at least know who he was."
Mom takes a shaky breath, then begins.
She tells me about a brilliant strategist who could see three moves ahead. About a man who valued loyalty above everything else. About someone who taught her chess before she could read, who made her memorize poetry in Italian, who believed intelligence was the greatest weapon.
She tells me about his disappointment when she ran. About the phone call she received weeks later from a blocked number, her father's voice barely above a whisper: "I understand why you did it. But that doesn't change what happens next."
Three days later, he was dead.
“Honey, I ran because I knew what I was going to be. What he wanted. When he looked at me, there was nothing there. I didn’t even feel like a person around him.”
“All that to say?” I ask quietly.
“All that to say, when Salvatore talked about you, I saw something. He… he likes you. And under different circumstances, you’d probably like him too.”
Under different circumstances, I did like him. But telling my mother about his visit to the library won’t do anything but irritate me more so I don’t say anything.
“Unlike his father,” she continues, “he’s actually attractive, so that’s one point already.” We both manage a chuckle.
“Look at me mom, I’m so average. That man could’ve had a million models if he wanted to, I’m convenient, here to pay a debt.”
“No, Salvatore wants you to be his wife, because he wants you. Trust me, if he didn’t, he would’ve killed your father and ended this. But he didn’t, he’s using the debt to justify his actions. He’s powerful, but he’s a man. A man who saw a gorgeous, smart, incredible young woman, and unlike a normal man who would ask you out or court you, he went extreme.”
"Tell me about it." I roll my eyes.
"Honey, he is a powerful man, but so are you. You’re a smart woman. Be careful, but do not give away your power. He promised he won’t hurt you.”
“And?” I ask, unsure what she’ll say.
“And, I believe him. Don’t go looking for trouble but don’t give up your power. In the meantime, your father and I will do everything to get you out of this mess.”
I shake my head, “Mom, he told me that dad ran.” “Valentina, listen to me. Your father loves you girls more than anything in this world, so if he had to exile himself for the best outcome, that’s what he would do, but you know your dad.”
“Do I? Are you referring to the professor or the man who works for the freaking mafia? I’m not sure which Marco you’re referring to.” I’m louder than I want to be, but I have no idea how to control these emotions. This is so overwhelming.
Suddenly, there's a knock at the door.
"Time's up," Elio's voice calls through.
Mom grabs my hands one more time. "If you need anything. Anything at all. You call me. I don't care what they say."
"Ok." I squeeze her hands. "Take care of Sofia. Make sure she stays in school. Don't let her come here."
"I love you." She kisses my forehead. "I love you so much, baby."
