Mafia Kings: Valentino: Dark Mafia Romance Series #6

I watched in amazement as the old woman hobbled up the steps to the platform.

Rocco tried to help her, but she angrily swatted his hand away.

She walked over to Isabella –

Who was shaking all over.

I swear, she seemed more frightened than when her father was pointing a gun at her.

Probably because, of all the people in the world she didn’t want to disappoint…

It was her great-grandmother.

But the old lady smiled at her kindly, nodded, and then turned around to face her grandson.

“As you know, I had an arranged marriage, too,” she said to Don Vicari. “I was only 18 on my wedding day.

“I was a good wife to your grandfather. I gave him six children, and I was faithful to him all my life. But I never loved him.

“I came to love him, in a way, I suppose… but I loved someone else.

“A girl from my village. Her name was Constantina.”noveldrama

There was a quiet gasp from Rocco and the foot soldiers.

Don Vicari just stared up at her, bewildered.

“Back in those days, our feelings for each other were considered an infamia. My father would have killed us both if he knew.” The old lady glared at her grandson. “It seems not much has changed.

“The night before my wedding – in this very chapel – Constantina begged me not to go through with it. She wanted me to run away with her. I refused because I was frightened of what would happen to us… and I married your grandfather the next day.

“Two weeks later, Constantina hung herself.”

Tears welled up in the old lady’s eyes and trickled down her wrinkled cheeks.

Isabella sobbed, and she and Ludavica clutched each other even more tightly.

The old lady’s pained expression turned to rage. “So I will be damned if I let you, or any other man, take away my great-granddaughter’s happiness. I have suffered enough for this family – and I will not let her, or the woman she loves, suffer the same fate as the girl who loved me, and who I was too cowardly to save.”

At this, the old woman reached into her black sleeve –

And pulled out a stiletto blade, thin and wickedly sharp.

I froze in shock, unsure of what she was going to do –

When she raked the tip across the palm of her hand, opening up a deep cut.

As blood poured down her fingers onto the floor of the chapel, she reached out and took Isabella’s hand.

“Sangre di mi sangre,” she said loudly.

Then she put her bloody hand on Ludavica’s.

“Sangre di mi sangre.”

Then she turned and hobbled over to me.

For a second, I was afraid she was going to plunge the blade into my heart –

But instead, she reached out for my hand and clasped it in hers, covering my fingers with her blood.

“Sangre di mi sangre.”

She turned back to Don Vicari. “These three are now protected. They are sangre di mi sangre.

“If any man here causes harm to them, it is an infamia – and when I die and stand before the Heavenly Father, I will petition Him, the Son, the Virgin, and the Saints to let that man burn for all eternity – even if I have to burn alongside him.

“I am an old woman, and I know I will die first – but, God willing, I will lie in wait on the other side, and at the moment of that man’s death, I will drag him to Hell myself.”

She pointed at the doors.

“Now GO. And do not harm anyone gathered here today. I have spoken.”

Don Vicari’s men all looked at each other in shock –

And then, one by one, they filed out of the chapel.

Rocco looked at his father helplessly…

And then he bowed his head and walked out.

Only Don Vicari remained.

He glared at his grandmother –

Then turned to Isabella.

“You may be protected by her blood… but from this day forth, you are no daughter of mine.”

Isabella trembled and cried, but she remained silent.

Don Vicari turned to Dario. “Our agreement is ended. I may not be able to exact my vengeance on your brother, but know this: you and I are enemies from this day forth. I will oppose you at the Council – and I hope your uncle kills you and every one of your brothers. Slowly.”

“Noted,” Dario said in an ice-cold voice.

Finally, Don Vicari turned back to me.

All the hatred in Hell blazed in his eyes –

But he didn’t say anything.

I stared right back at him…

Slowly raised my hand, calling his attention to his grandmother’s blood…

And then twiddled my fingers at him.

Bye-bye.

I really wanted to give him the finger…

But I’d learned a tiny bit of restraint over the last two weeks.

Vicari’s face became even more hateful.

He spat on the floor in front of me –

But he stomped out of the chapel without another word.

The old lady watched him go, then turned to Isabella.

She reached up with her unbloodied hand and hugged her.

“I love you, my child,” she whispered. “Go and be happy.”

Isabella bawled as she hugged the old woman back. “I love you so much.”

The old lady patted her back gently, then turned to Ludavica.

“Take care of her for me,” she said quietly.

Ludavica nodded, tears pouring down her face. “I will. I promise.”

The old lady smiled, then turned to me.

She peered up at me seriously –

And then she smiled and patted my cheek.

“You a good man,” she said softly.

Then she hobbled down the steps.

I tried to help her –

But she waved me off.

On her way down the aisle, she paused and bowed her head to Dario…

And he bowed his head deeply to her.

Then she left the chapel on her own, shutting the doors behind her.