Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
VALENTINA
E miliano sends a final warning glare my way before he and Romiro leave the living room. Their steps ring out down the hallway, and once we can no longer hear them, Mariana, Emiliano’s Mom, heads to one of the couches.
“I can’t believe that boy had the heart to tell me no to begin with.” Mariana sighs as she sits on one of the Persian couches. The living room is spacious and has various art pieces on the walls. One of the walls is just a floor-to-ceiling window with a glass door that leads to what I assume is the garden.
“I don’t understand your insistence on me being out of the cell. Don’t you want revenge for whatever my family did?” I voice my confusion at Mariana’s behavior, and her face turns solemn as she looks at me.
“No, I don’t want revenge on your family through you. You’re innocent and had nothing to do with the Outfit’s plans. But I can’t do a lot. My son is Capo, and I cannot undermine his plans.”
I sink my teeth into my bottom lip as I mull over her words.
“Sit down, girls. We have a couple of things to talk about,” she says. I let out a breath and take a seat on the opposite couch while Alessia takes a seat on the armchair.
“Alessia, tell me, how is medical school going?” Mariana must have seen the apprehension on my face at the thought of her asking me to share anything first. Alessia leans back into her seat and releases a sigh.
“Honestly, Aunt Mari, I hate it. I’m exhausted with the amount of work we have to do. Between the rotations and studying, I barely have any time to myself. I went into medicine because I love it, but this is all very stressful.” Alessia rubs her temple. I wanted to go to college and get a degree, but Dad said I could only do a course from home. I had to choose between a psychology or a beauty program.
“I mean, you did it because you love it, but do you regret it?” I ask her. She gives me a small smile and shakes her head.
“I still love it, but I don’t love the mental load it has put on me, you know. And to top it off, I have to deal with balancing my schoolwork and family functions.”
I nod, understanding the pressure of being a woman in the mafia world.
“What about you, Valentina, did you study anything?” Mariana asks me.
I shake my head and tell her, “No, I wasn't allowed to go to college. Dad wanted us to stay home after we finished with our high school studies.”
Her eyes widen, a look of bewilderment on her face.
“Were you hoping to go to college?” she asks. I look down at my hands before looking back at them.
“Yes. I did, but I was only allowed to enroll in online classes.”
Alessia asks me, “And did you enroll in the course you wanted?” My eyes sting as a feeling of helplessness bleeds into my veins.
“Uh…no, not really. I wanted to learn more about coding since I liked it in high school and was good at it, but I was only able to get into a psychology course,” I explain. Their eyes fill with pity, and I hate it. I don’t want their pity. I don’t need their pity, because one day, I’ll be able to leave all of this behind and do whatever I want. One day.
“God. I don’t know what I would do if my dad didn’t let me study. Sorry, Valentina, but your dad is kind of an asshole.”
I laugh softly at Alessia’s irritation.
“I got used to it. You know, in our world, we don’t really have much choice.” Our world, the mafia world. Where killing, stealing, maiming, oppressing, and bribing is the norm and anything else is abnormal.
“The world used to be like that. Valentina, it’s changing, and with it, everyone else will change.” Mariana’s conviction almost convinces me. Almost.
“Not the Outfit. We’re bound by the traditions and honor of our predecessors,” I say.
“Of course, we’re the ones to be tied by some traditions made up by some weird old dudes.” Alessia scoffs and moves a piece of hair that falls in front of her eye.
“Alessia! You know better to respect our ancestors after what they’d gone through,” Mariana admonishes after stifling a small laugh. Alessia shrugs her shoulders and continues.
“Come on, Aunt Mari, not even the most traditional person I know is like that.”
“Anyways, I have a plan for tomorrow evening. My sister and I want to have a picnic in the garden. Alessia, are you free to join us?” Mariana asks.
Alessia’s shoulders slump as she answers Mariana, “Unfortunately not. I have another round of rotations that don’t finish till the early morning hours. But have fun.”
“Valentina, would you like to come? Honestly, the more the merrier. I don’t want it to just be Mara, Clarissa, and me again,” Mariana asks me, sounding hopeful. I feel awful for saying no. Since she’s been nothing but nice to me.
“I don’t want to intrude and, besides, your son might not want me roaming around your house or anywhere near with the rest of you.” It’s probably true, but I don’t really like the idea of mingling with the enemy either.
She waves her hand. “Nonsense, we’d love to have more girls. Don’t worry, I’ll handle Eli. Now that’s settled. I’ll make sure to have a cute dress for the picnic set out in your room.” She’s just as stubborn as my Mom. It makes me smile and my eyes sting from thinking about her. She must be hysterical. My cheeks suddenly feel wet, and something drops on my palm. I reach my hand up and try to wipe the tears away.
“Valentina, sweetie. I might not understand how it feels to be taken from your family at such a fragile age, but it’ll get better. I’m hoping you’ll be able to go back soon,” Mariana says as she makes her way to me and grabs my hands in hers.
“Oh God, this is mortifying. I’m sorry.” I sound strange even to my ears. Lips quivering, I try to breathe in to help stop me from crying more.
“Can’t you speak with him? Please,” I plead with her, my voice taking a desperate edge to it.
“No.” A sharp voice cuts Mariana off before she can answer. Emiliano stalks toward us and stands behind the couch, looking down like an angry devil.
“No, she will not talk to me. You need to understand that your family’s name has consequences. And whether you think that you don’t or do deserve this is irrelevant. You’re nothing more than a pawn in a game bigger than you.” He pauses, making sure that his last words seep in before continuing. “Whether it be your dad or your future husband or me who gives out orders, it doesn’t change the fact that you are a piece on a chess board.” He leans over the couch, his face close to mine. I can make out a faint scar on his left eyebrow. “So no, Miss Valentina Moretti, my Mom will not speak to me about letting you go back to your family. You will not manipulate my Mom into doing your bidding. Do not try to take advantage of her kindness.”
I steel my expression. “You think that just because you are Capo, that makes you some sort of God, but all you are is an animal who would step over anyone just to get his way.” I clench my jaw, my teeth grinding together. “I hope fate fucks you over just how you fucked up my life for whatever sick mind game you’re playing.”
He gives me a twisted smile. “Fate. You believe in something as fickle as fate.”
I narrow my eyes at his mocking tone and his face becomes an unreadable mask.
“That’s enough, the both of you.” Mariana’s demand is final. But neither of us break eye contact. A slow smile forms on his face and amusement dances in his eyes. I break eye contact and look back at Mariana, who gives me a small smile.
“Come on, you’re going to your room.” Emiliano speaks up as he makes his way out of the living room.
I get up after Mariana and Alessia hug me. Both of them wish me luck. I have to stifle a giggle. I know I’m in enemy territory, but I’m not going to war. We walk in silence as we head to one of the stairs near the entrance. It leads into a long hallway, and I can see that at the end of it is another set of stairs.
“You can go to the picnic.” Emiliano breaks the silence as we make our way to the second set of stairs.
“What?” I breathe out in disbelief. He looks at me, then back straight ahead.
“Do you need to get your ears checked or something?” he asks. My lips pull back in a scowl and my eyebrows scrunch up. He laughs when he turns to look at me again and repeats, “I said that you could go to the picnic.”
“The one your Mom invited me to?” I ask him.
“Is there another picnic you’re invited to, other than my ma’s?” he asks, lifting one of his eyebrows.
“No. But I thought that you’d want to keep me locked up?” I’m so confused. Maybe he’s trying to get information on the Outfit. Information I don’t have.
“No point in isolating you if everyone in my family refuses to stay the fuck away from you. I’d prefer it be done on my terms. The only time you’ll be locked in the room is when I’m away on business,” he clarifies, but it rings hollow.
I shrug off the feeling that he’s up to something and continue walking. When we reach the top of the stairs, there are six doors. Two on the left, three on the right, and one at the end of the carpeted hallway. He heads toward the one closest to the stairs and farthest from the one at the end of the hallway. Stopping in front of the door, he turns to me and steps closer. My skin tingles with anticipation and my face heats. His eyes narrow as he takes in my flushed face.
“Why is your face as red as the bell peppers I grow outside?” he asks. And just like that, he pisses me off. There’s no way I find him even remotely attractive.
“You love being an asshole, don’t you?” I counter. His fingers reach for my face, tracing the slope of my nose. I wrinkle it, trying to shake off the way my skin pebbles with goosebumps. He gives me a somber look before stepping back, and I let out a breath. Flinging the door open, Emiliano steps in, moving aside to let me in.
Inside is a beautiful light cream carpet, the walls a sage green, and the bed has blush pink pillows and covers. Emiliano walks toward a glass door and stands next to it.
“Don’t try to leave out of this door. You’re on the third floor of the house and will die if you try. I won’t lock it because you might be stubborn, but you’re not stupid,” he warns, as if I’d try to get down from a second-floor window, let alone a third-floor balcony. I must look insane for him to even think that. “Got it?” he asks once I don’t give any indication that I’ll listen. When I nod, he heads past me and to the door, taking out the key.
“You can lock it using the key. If anyone tries to break the door, an alert will sound on my phone and I’ll know. The only other person who has a key is me. I won’t use it unless you make me.”
I just give him another nod. He doesn’t say anything, but I can tell it annoys him. He walks toward another door near the head of the bed, opening it and flicking a light.
“This is the shower and toilet. Don’t try to lock yourself in here. I’ll break down the door. And if I break down the door, it won’t be going back up.”
“Are you done with the threats? I don’t want to talk to you more than need be.”
He gives me a ‘are you stupid’ face and strides closer. Stopping three feet from me, he slides his hands into his pants pockets.
“Listen. If your dad cooperates, then it won’t be long before you're sent back to your family.”
“Oh, how kind of you to remind me that I’m only here till you get your way,” I say sarcastically. He steps close to me, backing me against the wall, making my breath catch. My eyes widen when he reaches for my arm, squeezing it tightly. My throat dries up as I try to ignore the tingles that spread across my body.
“Keep up with your snarky little remarks, and I’ll have you dangling from your feet over a vat of acid. Such a waste, a pretty face, but a rotten soul.” His words are harsh, but his touch is intoxicating. As he reaches out a hand, I hold my breath. I stay completely still as he tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. My skin breaks out in more unwanted goosebumps, his eyes searching mine. I spot an anchor tattooed on his middle finger when he retreats his hand. Then he leans in and whispers, “Wishing you the most horrific nightmares.”
I recoil, and he huffs a laugh before moving back and heading to the door. I clench my jaw, my teeth grinding against each other. He shakes his head, as if he’s amused, and leaves without another word. I walk quickly toward it and turn the lock.
I don’t know how my life went from uneventful to a shitstorm within two days.